A Lighthouse in Marketing, Math, Nursing...?
Is it possible to bring a Christian perspective to bear on marketing? Or math? Nursing? Or engineering? Journalism? Agriculture? Medicine? Building construction? Athletics? The arts? Education...?
According to historian George Marsden in his latest book, The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship, a biblically-informed perspective is not only possible, it is crucial. Marsden states, "Scholars who have religious faith should be reflecting on the intellectual implications of that faith and bringing those reflections into the mainstream of intellectual life."
One of the exciting benefits of seeing yourself as a "lighthouse" in your department is the potential opportunity to actually change your discipline. What if you knew that there were another 50 like-minded "lighthouses" on other campuses around the country in your specific discipline? Wouldn't it be wonderful to join together (via email, conferences, or trips) to talk about creative ways to reach out to faculty, grad students and undergrads? Wouldn't it be fun to pray with other colleagues from around the country that God would move in your discipline?
Just think of the potential for good articles to surface that would address the current issues of your discipline from a Christian perspective! Articles and resources that you could make available to others in your department. The creativity unleashed -- as well as a few mistakes and failures as you learn along the way -- would make for a wonderful adventure. So, without taking your precious time away from your discipline, you are also being creative about being a place of refuge, prayer and outreach.
Want to start thinking about how to integrate your faith and discipline? Our web page on Academic Integration is a great place to start. You can find it at: http://www.leaderu.com/aip. Another place to find like-minded people is at our faculty offices page at: http://www.leaderu.com/offices.
We are just beginning this adventure of bringing the disciplines together to influence the campus for Christ. Would you be willing to be one of those lighthouses?
Scripture: II Cor. 4:6 -- "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
Action Point: Do you know colleagues from your campus and/or other who share your heart to have an impact on your discipline for Christ? Are you willing to be a catalyst, bringing some of these people together with the goal of reframing your discipline?
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