“The Ivory Tower”
The phrase can have a negative connotation.
But “ivory towers” and those who work in university settings are important.
University “scholarship” should be the same everywhere for everyone.
But is “Christian scholarship” different and if so, how?
Listen to this week’s Truth in Two to find out one perspective (full text below).
Christian scholars want the same thing as any scholar would: unbiased research in our fields of study that benefits people. But it is the reason why Christian scholars study and our ultimate – eternal goals which may be why we call what we do, “Christian scholarship.”
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from Comenius (here). Mark is President of The Comenius Institute (website). Dr. Eckel spends time with Christian young people in public university (1 minute video), hosts a weekly radio program with diverse groups of guests (1 minute video), and interprets culture from a Christian vantage point (1 minute video). Consider becoming a Comenius patron (here).
Picture Credit: Luke Renoe, Snappy Goat
FULL TEXT:
I am part of the “ivory tower.” The phrase refers to scholars who care deeply for human learning. Part of my job at the Comenius Institute is scholarship. I write, speak, and teach after doing the hard work of intellectual, academic study. But sometimes the phrase “ivory tower” gets a bad rap. So here is a series of ten statements that defines a Christian scholar.
A Christian scholar acknowledges the difficulties of any endeavor while trying to offer solutions and instill practices which benefit people, demonstrating Jesus’ command to love others.
A Christian scholar sees the limitation of human endeavor knowing that superhuman energy is available through The Spirit for her work.
A Christian scholar studies all who contribute – Christian or not – agreeing with Scripture that not only is all truth God’s but He unifies all truth.
A Christian scholar exegetes the past – encountering Christian forebears – whose work in the past makes possible her work in the present.
A Christian scholar weaves the creational world with glimpses of The Creator’s mind so as to see the interconnection, Heaven with earth.
A Christian scholar buttresses her clarion call to use her God-given gifts for the good of fellow earth-dwellers, serving, giving, sacrificing, committing.
A Christian scholar stewards the academic-intellectual gifts given knowing their Source, giving credence to The Scriptures for interpretation.
A Christian scholar asks questions to prompt answers, expanding opportunities for other scholars to follow her work, a collaborative juggernaut, knowing God has created us for relationship.
A Christian scholar displays examples for the encouragement and edification of those who suffer and for those constrained to relieve suffering who are compelled by Christ’s suffering.
A Christian scholar cares that her work never be for self-promotion but for doxological celebration of The One on Whose behalf she labors.
At the Comenius Institute we believe that intellectual, academic study in the “ivory tower” is essential so that we might benefit all people “on the street.”
For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, President of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found.