ESN Conversation: The Shape of Christian History

July 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time

Highlighting both the continuity and the diversity within the Christian movement over the centuries in his book The Shape of Christian History, Scott Sunquist identifies three key concepts for framing church history: time, cross, and glory. These themes shed light to help us discern how the Jesus movement developed from the first century to the present, through an explosion of contextual expressions. Tracing these concepts through the centuries, we learn from the stories of Christians reflecting the glories of God’s kingdom—and from their failures.

Register here.

In addition to the hundreds who have participated in ESN Conversations live conversations, our YouTube channel now has 31 conversations online that have been viewed over 3000 times along with 134 subscribers, qualifying us for our own YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/esnivcf

VIA DIVINA: The Franciscan Way

Franciscan-way photo of a path and the text The Franciscan Way

Even where there are deepening divisions, love is possible.
Even when there is suffering, joy is possible.
Even in the midst of brokenness, rebuilding is possible.
A simple, singing monk from the 13th century just might be able to teach us what is still possible—for us, today.

Via Divina – The Franciscan Way from InterVarsity Study Abroad on Vimeo.

Join in this third edition of Via Divina – The Franciscan Way – a digital pilgrimage in which you can participate wherever you find yourself this summer.

From June 28 – August 2 engage with five audioguides that follow Francis through the narrow stone streets of Assisi and along the dirt paths of the Umbrian countryside. We will share in his journey of transformation from disillusioned youth to joy-filled fool for Christ. Francis’ full-hearted embodiment of the way of Jesus sparked a deeply felt renewal within himself and within the Church.

Let the stories of Francis and Clare, along with scripture, prayer practices, and contemporary stories, inspire you this summer in an experience of walking in the Divine Way (Via Divina).

Learn more at: https://gfm.intervarsity.org/divina-franciscan-way-faculty-ministry

Ways You Can Engage

  1. Register and walk with us from June 28 – August 2 – https://gfm.events.intervarsity.org/franciscanwayfacultyministry
  1. If the July timeframe doesn’t work for you, sign up for The Franciscan Way hosted by the InterVarsity Study Abroad Team – May 13 – June 13 – https://intervarsity.org/via-divina/franciscan-way
  1. Invite your campus group, church, family, friends, or small group. Send a few personal invitations and plan to take this journey with others. Discounts are available for those walking with a group!

This is open to faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and InterVarsity Ministry Partners. Anyone who wants to explore the practice of pilgrimage, learn about Franciscan spirituality, and deepen their faith walk. We look forward to seeing you along the Franciscan Way!

The post Via Divina: The Franciscan Way appeared first on Emerging Scholars Blog.

ESN Conversation: Beyond Racial Division

Racial tensions continue to be a part of the American landscape. George Yancey, a Baylor sociologist identifies two failed strategies to address these tensions. One is colorblindness, that ignores the realities of race and the historical injustices that have taken place. The other is antiracism, that in centering racial concerns often alienates people essential to the process.

In our May ESN Conversation, we will be talking with George Yancey about his new book, Beyond Racial Division, and the alternative approach he proposes based on his research. He advocates for a collaborative conversations in a mutual accountability model. The model allows for different responsibilities for different participants within a shared commitment to mutual accountability and to the common good.

Our Conversation will be on May 19 at 1 pm ET/12 pm CT/11 am MT/10 am PT and 7 am if you are in Hawai’i. Sign up for a zoom link today at https://tinyurl.com/ESNBeyondRacialDiv

Copies of the book at a discount price will be available to call participants and there will be time for audience discussion with George Yancey.

 

Mathematics for Human Flourishing – Reading Group

Begins March 31, Thursdays at 8P EDST

Calling all mathematicians! Join our weekly reading group Mathematics for Human Flourishing book coverengaging with the book Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su (Harvey Mudd). The book intertwines themes of math, philosophy, justice and grace and is a fruitful resource for Christians working in math. These discussions will be led by Ben Wormleighton, Postdoctoral Lecturer in Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis. We’ll meet over Zoom from March 31st to May 26th on Thursday evenings (5-6pm PT / 6-7pm MT / 7-8pm CT / 8-9pm ET) including conversations with the author in the first and last weeks. Research and teaching faculty, postdocs, and graduate students are all welcome. If you are not able to commit to the group, we would still love to have you join for the conversations with Francis Su on 3/31 and 5/26.

Register for the Reading Group

ESN Conversation: A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers

April 22, 2022 – 12P EDST

Derek Schuurman, professor of computer science at Calvin University, will discuss how designing and using technology can actually be a way of loving God and our neighbors. This event is being co-sponsored with Women in the Academy and Professions (WAP), Christian Women in Science (CWIS), and Emerging Scholars Network (ESN).

Register for Upcoming ESN Conversation

The Celtic Way for Lent

InterVarsity Via Divina: Faculty Walking with Jesus Together

Hosted by InterVarsity Faculty Ministry and Study Abroad
March 2 – April 19, 2022

Looking for refreshment this Lent?

A way to practice the presence of God during this season?

Join Faculty Ministry and Study Abroad as we follow Jesus together through audio guided walks right from your front door. Whether or not you participated in Via Divina: The Celtic Way last summer, you are welcome to gather with us on your own or with a group to journey toward Christ’s resurrection celebration in the spirit of Celtic Christianity. Register today and invite colleagues, friends, family, and others to join us along the Celtic way.

Click Here to Learn More and Register

Registration for the 2022 Midwest Faculty Conference is now open!

MIDWEST FACULTY CONFERENCE JOURNEYING WITH JESUS: NAVIGATING AMBIGUITY ON A CHANGING CAMPUS JUNE 18 - 24. 2022 - CEDARVILLE, MIJoin us in June for our first in-person Midwest Faculty Conference in two years at the beautiful Cedar Bay (formerly Cedar Campus) for a week of refreshing time with other faculty families exploring what it means to follow Jesus in ambiguous times.  Ambiguity seems to have been our theme on campus the past two years as we have navigated our way through the pandemic, cultural divisions, and campus realities.  All of this uncertainty has created tension as it seemed right to do one thing and then perhaps something else.  Yet, when we follow Jesus, He helps us find our way forward.  Fred Hickernell will lead us as we explore ambiguity from the perspective of a professor.  Then, Lisa Sung will help us take a look at navigating ambiguity from a theological perspective.  Lori Woodall-Schaufler will begin our week as she delivers the Sunday morning worship message.

Our hope is that this conference will provide faculty families with an opportunity to get away from the uncertainty on campus and spend refreshing time together, while also learning and growing with other faculty families.  Camaraderie with colleagues, relaxing time with family, and deep times with Jesus will help us discover the way forward. We know the children of faculty enjoy this conference as much as their grown-ups and we hope and pray to be able to provide opportunities for us all.

More information and registration here.

Please stay connected through our conference website and our Facebook page(link is external) for information about our 2022 Midwest Faculty Conference as well as a new Faculty Pilgrimage this summer. Click here(link is external) to learn more about Cedar Bay Camp and Retreat Center.

Faculty Connection – February 24 at Noon

Faculty Connection is an online gathering of faculty from a variety of universities across the country to learn from and strengthen each other as we serve the Lord on our campuses. Faculty Connection is hosted by Howard Van Cleave of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries. After excellent presentations by Dr. Walter Bradley on how to live out the Christian faith and values on campus and overcoming fears (recordings available, check with Howard) , we now will host a follow-up discussion with a leading expert on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression as university personnel. Our special guest with be Tyson Langhofer, JD. He serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Academic Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom. Bring your concerns and questions for Tyson to address.

I hope you can join us on February 24, Thursday at Noon Eastern time.

Register in advance for this meeting:


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.


Tyson C. Langhofer serves as senior counsel and Tyson Langhofer photodirector of the Center for Academic Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom.

Langhofer has represented college students and student organizations throughout the country in defending their freedom of speech,

freedom of association, and free exercise of religion. In Young Americas’s Foundation v. Covino, he successfully represented YAF, Ben Shapiro, and California State University- Los Angeles students in a lawsuit against university administrators for First Amendment violations—when they allowed a mob of professors and students to physically block students from attending Shapiro’s scheduled speech on the campus. In Grace Christian Life v. Woodson, he successfully represented a religious student group at North Carolina State University in a lawsuit against administrators for violating their First Amendment freedoms when they prevented students from discussing religious topics because they did not acquire the university’s pre-approval.

Before joining ADF, Langhofer was a partner with Stinson LLP, where he worked as a commercial litigation attorney for 15 years and earned Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent® rating.

Numerous media outlets have interviewed or featured Langhofer, including The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Townhall, The Federalist, and The Daily Wire.

Langhofer earned his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, where he graduated cum laude in 1999. He obtained a B.A. in international business with a minor in economics from Wichita State University in 1996. A member of the bar in Virginia, Kansas, and Arizona, Langhofer is also admitted to practice in numerous federal district courts.

ESN Conversation – Faithful Anti-Racism

Racism did not take a break during the pandemic. Whether we Faithful-Antiracism-Webinar Flyer text is in postthink of the vigilante-style shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, the rise in attacks on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, attacks upon Jewish synagogues, or anti-immigrant attacks–these things alone make it apparent that racism is alive and well. Then there are the deeper and more subtle but no less grievous matters reflected in differentials in infant mortality, household wealth and more.
ESN is hosting a conversation with Chad Brennan and Christina Barland Edmondson on their new book, Faithful AntiracismThe promotional material for the book states:
“In Faithful Antiracism, Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan take confidence from the truth that Christ has overcome the world, including racism, and offer clear analysis and interventions to challenge and resist its pernicious power. Drawing on brand-new research from the landmark Race, Religion, and Justice Project led by Michael Emerson and others, this book represents the most comprehensive study on Christians and race since Emerson’s own book Divided by Faith (2001). It invites readers to put this data to immediate practical use, applying it to their own specific context.”
Join in for what promises to be both an important and practical conversation. It will be on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 12 pm ET (11 CT/10 MT/9 PT/7 HT). You may register for this one hour conversation with audience Q & A at: https://tinyurl.com/ESNFaithfulAntiracism.