Contact ISSN 1521-9631 Vol. 27, No. 2

INSIDE An Advent Reflection 3 by IAPCHE Interim Executive Director, Europe Region Harry Fernhout

5 During the season of Advent, Christians around the globe Africa Region focus their attention on one of the great turning points in the Christian story and, indeed, the history of the world: the birth 6 of Jesus whom we know as the Christ. Advent reminds us of our conviction that our overarching Latin America story, the still unfolding tale of love told in the Bible, must shape our whole walk of life, including Region our engagement in higher education. This is, at bottom, IAPCHE’s reason for existence. Our 7 Bylaws (i.e., our constitution) boldly affirm this in the Preamble: “The members of the Association Asia-Oceania recognize academic work as an expression of life commitment to God the Creator, through Region Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit. Science and Scholarship cannot have a neutral, uncom- mitted character but should be pursued from a biblical perspective.” As if to emphasize this 8 point, the Bylaws go on to say that “God reveals in Scripture the true meaning of creation, sin, North America redemption, and service. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are consequently Region authoritative for education and scholarship.”

10 While IAPCHE claims the entire biblical story - from creation to new creation - as its own, some Seerveld parts of Scripture are particularly inspiring and direction-setting for Christian higher education. Collected Works IAPCHE members around the world would no doubt highlight different scriptural themes and passages, depending on their cultural context and tradition. In my own experience, two ‘anchor 12 texts’ that have proven durable in sustaining my engagement in Christian higher education in Special Book challenging times are found in Colossians 1 and II Corinthians 5. Feature Colossians 1:15-20 summarizes the 13 entire story of the cosmos, from begin- Books ning to the coming of Christ, with a seven-fold repetition that all things are in him. “All things have been created through and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body … so that in everything he might have supremacy. For God was Serving Christian pleased…through him to reconcile all Higher things…by making peace through his Education blood shed on the cross.” I’d like to Around the imagine that this passage was echo- World Since 1975. ing in Abraham Kuyper’s heart and mind when he uttered his famous words about Christ’s claim over every square inch of the cosmos. “All things” certainly embraces everything in Christian

Contact • December 2015 A D V E N T R E F L E C T I O N & R E M I ND E R S higher education, from accounting to zoology, and from administration to community service. Everything in higher education is caught up not only in God’s project of creation and ‘holding things together,’ but also in God’s pro- ject of reconciliation, making peace (shalom) through the work of Christ on the cross. If ever there was a “biblical perspective” on the cosmic context of our work in higher education, surely this is it!

As I read it, II Corinthians 5:16-21 picks up the theme of God’s reconciliation project and applies it to the life-mission of Christ-followers: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself in Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” An ambassador is someone who acts in the name of a higher authority. It’s a high calling. Imagine that your head of state called on you to serve as your nation’s ambassador in addressing the greatest challenge your country faces at this moment. No doubt you would feel both honored and intimidated! God calls Christ-followers to a much greater challenge and opportunity: to serve as ambassadors of reconciliation during the in-between time when “all things” are not yet made new. That our world desperately needs “ministers of reconciliation” is surely beyond question. A key part of the mission of Christian higher education is to prepare a new generation for active participation in in this God-entrusted mission.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this year, it is important to remind ourselves that this event represents a pivotal moment in the cosmic story of what God is doing – his shalom-making project of reconciling all things to himself in Christ-Jesus, because of his great love for the world. Ultimately, this love is what sustains us in all the challenges we encounter as Christians who seek to enact reconciliation and renewal in higher education.

IAPCHE 8th International Conference 2016 Reminders CALL FOR PAPERS REGISTER TODAY deadline fast approaching! for the IAPCHE’s 8th International Conference! YOU are invited to submit a proposal to Go to iapche.org/register to register for your spot at present a paper, organize a roundtable discussion, or participate in a panel at IAPCHE’s 8th IAPCHE’s 8th international conference. International Conference to be held at Baekseok University, South Korea from May 30 to June 3, 2016. Registration Rates: Subsidized/Standard

Low Income Countries: $100/$550 YOU can address the conference theme, “Strengthening Christian Higher Education in an Era of Medium-Income Countries:$200/$650 Global Transformation,” from various angles: peda- gogy,curriculum, administration/leadership or High Income Countries:$300/750 research. Individuals are eligible to apply for a subsidized registration rate until February 10, 2016 and the The deadline for submitting proposals for the confer- standard rate until March 31, 2016. ence is January 18, 2016. See the full conference and on theme proposal submission details accommodation meals iapche.org/register/call-for-papers. Registration fee covers and during the conference as well as airport transfer to and from Incheon International Airport May 30 and June 3, and all registration materials.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gather with over 200 leaders in Christian higher education to explore this topic. Register now! Contact • December 2015 2 EUROPE REGION LCC International University Hosts Students lectorate (2012-2015) will be presented. Individuals will from the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede in summarize what was learned in a “profile” of a Netherlands Christian teacher. Participants will sketch a few cen- tral images of the ideal Christian teacher in a series of KLAIPEDA, LITHUANIA--LCC International University sessions. expanded its cooperation with Christian University of Applied Sciences (CHE) in the Netherlands by hosting The three keynote speakers will be as follows: Lector students and Dr. Bram de Muynck (pic- faculty from tured right) will present the CHE for inter- findings of the four years national busi- research. Two other scholars ness visits and will respond to this presenta- academic tion: Dr. Wim van Vlastuin, experiences in theologian at Vrije Universiteit Klaipėda. Amsterdam (seminary of the Hersteld Hervormde Kerk), LCC hosted and Dr. David I. Smith, Professor of Christian Teaching the first group at Calvin College, Grand Rapids. Additionally, the of Dutch students in June 2015 and the second group conference will include ten workshops about a variety in October 2015. CHE. of subjects. The October academic experience was a business elective course jointly taught by CHE and LCC busi- Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed ness faculty to a group of 15 CHE students and 7 LCC Church of Hungary Hosts Conference on students. Ethical Economic Thinking and “The course International Business – Human Resource Competitiveness Issues in Practice consisted of required readings, busi- BUDAPEST, HUNGARY--The Ethical Economic Thinking ness visits, lectures, group projects, presentations, and and Competitiveness Conference organised by Károli written assignments. During the course, students visited Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary companies like Regseda, DFDS Seaways, the took place in Amberton Hotel , as well the Klaipeda Port Authority,” Budapest on said Jekabs Bikis, Chair of the department of October 15, 2015. International Business Administration at LCC. After the opening “This exchange program brings lots of value to the words of Rector students. Also it is a good opportunity to experience of the University Lithuanian culture and improve English skills. Beyond Professor Péter that, the more HR specific topics during the company Balla, the plenary visits are bringing new insight and shifts in expecta- session of the conference began with the lectures of tions”, said Roelof van der Horst, Senior Lecturer in Dr. György Matolcsy, President of the Hungarian Business Administration at LCC International University. National Bank and László Domokos, President of the State Audit Office of Hungary. The event continued Driestar Educatief to Host Upcoming with the presentations of two international guest lec- Conference “Profile for Pilgrimage” turers: Professor Jacques Jaussaud from the University of Pau in France and Dr. Johan Graafland, economist GOUDA, THE NETHERLANDS--The research team, and theologian professor of Tilburg University in the “Lectorate of Christian Teaching,” at Driestar University Netherlands shared their views on the relationship will have its yearly conference on January 26, 2015. between economy and law. During this day the results of four years working in the Contact • December 2015 3 EUROPE REGION cont’d The plenary session ended with a roundtable discus- this was a strategic opportunity for LCC to be seen as sion with the participation of Professor Péter Halmai a legitimate voice in the dialog. It was a privilege to (University of Pannonia), Professor Csaba Lentner be invited,” said Marlene Wall. (National University of Public Service), Professor Péter Conference sessions were held at Howard University, Miskolczi Bodnár (Károli University), Professor Zoltán one of the oldest African American universities in the Zéman (Szent István United States. This was an opportunity for students, fac- University) and ulty, and administrators to share ideas and learn from Professor József others about interfaith/community service programs. Zsengellér (Károli University). In the Discussion topics included interfaith work related to afternoon six sections both conflict and post-conflict situations; experiences provided participants in Pakistan, Europe, and the Asia Pacific regions; stu- the opportunity for dent-led research and dialogue; explorations of com- professional debate and for the presentation of fresh plex faith identities within a campus, and more. scientific achievements.

The long-term goal of Károli University with this confer- Protestant Theological University Signs ence, which attracted significant professional interest, Agreement with Goettingen is to launch a series of international conferences that deal with the complex relationship of ethics, econom- AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS—The Protestant ics and law and provide an opportunity to share Theological University (PThU) has signed an Erasmus+ national and international experiences. agreement with the Georg August University in Goettingen, Germany. The agreement makes it LCC President Participates in 5th Annual possible for bachelor, President’s Interfaith and Community Service master and PhD students Campus Challenge Conference in to spend three to twelve Washington D.C. months at one of the KLAIPEDA, LITHUANIA--From September 9-11, Marlene most renowned German Wall, the President of LCC International University took universities. The Faculty of Theology of the institution, part in the Fifth Annual President’s Interfaith and founded in 1737 and number 67 on the THE world uni- Community Service Campus Challenge, a national versity rankings, offers a Master of Intercultural conference, in Washington, D.C. Theology, which fits well with the international Master of Theology of the Protestant Theological University in “This conference brings faith-based communities Groningen. Apart from student exchange, the agree- together to promote and highlight community service ment also facilitates the mobility of staff (guest lec- as a means for working together for the common tures) between both institutions. good. In a world in which so many of the conflicts have religious roots, International Scholarly Conference on this has been an ini- Christian Faith, Formation, & Education tiative that looks for the highest com- Hosted by: Centre for Christian Education & Pastoral Theology at Liverpool Hope University, UK & the mon aspirations National Institute for Christian Education Research rather than the low- Australia est common Dates: denominators June 24-26, 2016 between faith Location: Liverpool Hope University, UK communities. This was the first time that international More information: www.hope.ac.uk/ncce university participants were invited, and I believe that Contact • December 2015 4 AFRICA REGION North-West University Potchefstroom Says The project entails collaboration between internation- Goodbye to Rector Herman Van Schalkwyk al experts from the United States and South Africa, and according to Siebert it also offers an ideal oppor- POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA—North-West tunity for American and South African undergraduate University hosted a special farewell function to for the and postgraduate students to cooperate. The other rector of the North-West collaborators are Dr. Alan Fryday of Michigan State University’s University and students of NWU, Ricart Boneschans, Potchefstroom Campus and the College of the Atlantic in Maine, Ian Medeiros (NWUP), Professor and Nate Pope. Herman van Schalkwyk (pictured right), on the According to Rajakaruna (pictured below) they are evening of December 1, excited about the project and their efforts to examine 2015. the diversity and the ecology of lichens in a biodiversity hotspot

Van Schalkwyk will retire after leading the campus as such as South Africa. Rajakaruna rector of the campus since 2010. He was the cam- says the project strongly concen- Professor Fika Janse van pus’s second rector. trates on growing research Rensburg (below left) has been named acting rector capacity in South Africa and is a of the campus. critical component of the work he Van Schalkwyk has a background as will be doing during his appoint- a prominent agricultural economist ment as a visiting research professor at the NWU. and has held previous positions of leadership in this field prior to his Christian Service University College to Hold appointment to rector at NWUP. First International Conference Under the leadership of Van Schalkwyk, student numbers KUMASI, GHANA--The Christian Service University increased by 27%, the number of doctorate gradu- College(CSUC) is holding its first international confer- ates increased by 35%, the number of NRF-rated ence on the changing (National Research Foundation) academics dynamics of the cocoa increased by 39%, and the total income of the cam- industry within the West pus went up by R1 billion during the past six years. African sub-region from the 5th to the 6th of May 2016, at the CSUC campus in South African and American University Kumasi. Researchers Receive Competitive National As part of its commitment to Geographic Society Award promoting knowledge POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA--A sought-after through research and relat- research award of the National Geographic Society ed avenues, the CSUC is providing an opportunity for was bestowed on researchers of academia, operators in the cocoa sector, leading the School of Environmental industry experts to share insights on topical issues dur- Sciences of the North-West ing this initial conference. University (NWU). The objective for the conference is to provide a plat- Professor Stefan Siebert (pic- form for people in academia, cocoa and related tured right) of the NWU’s industries as well as concerned individuals to share research entity for environmen- their views on the changing dynamics in the Cocoa tal sciences and management, Industry. The Conference also aims at providing policy and Professor Nishanta advice to government and key industry players on Rajakaruna, a professor from how to harness the opportunities and challenges con- Michigan State University in the fronting the cocoa industry. The Conference fee for United States, received substantial funds to research local participants is GH¢250.00 and $200.00 for interna- the role of substrate chemistry and the climate in the tional participants. diversity of lichen species in South Africa.

Contact • December 2015 5 L AT I N A M E R I C A R E G I O N Authorities of Presbyterian Mackenzie University Italian Psychologists Visit the Lutheran Visit Research Graphene Centers in England and University of El Salvador Sign Agreement with Rice University, USA SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR--Recently the Regional SAO PAULO, BRAZIL--Authorities of the Presbyterian Center of Cabañas of the Lutheran University of El Mackenzie Institute Salvador (ULS) was visited by a delegation of psychol- (IPM) and ogists of the University of Torino, Italy. They shared Mackenzie University with teachers and students, the social focus of (PMU) visited major Community Psychology. This paradigm is character- English universities in ized by ethical positioning of a just and egalitarian the last week of society, working with October. The objec- participatory action tive was to strength- research processes en ties with institu- that serve to tions in research, especially those involving the study empower individuals of Graphene and Nanomaterials. and communities.

They visited the University of Oxford, the Structural The psychologists of Genomics Consortium (SGC); the University of Torino took the Manchester, where the National Graphene Institute opportunity to recognize the important work being (NGI) is located, the laboratory where researchers done in the community of Santa Marta, in the munici- Andre Geim and Konstantin Novose worked when pality of Victoria, Cabañas. They analyzed and com- they won the Nobel Prize for research into Graphene; mented that in El Salvador since the peace agree- and the University of Cambridge, where they attend- ments in 1992, there have been many social organiza- ed a seminar with the the staff of the Cambridge tions working with rural communities and have made Center of Graphene, who are open to collaborate advances in their empowerment. with Mackenzie's research. This trip was The Journal of Latin American Theology important, not only to Releases Latest Volume visit research centers that are of global The Journal of Latin American Theology (the English lan- importance, but also guage journal of the Fraternidad Teológica allowing the Latinoamericana) 2015:2 issue is now available from Wipf Mackenzie faculty to & Stock Publishers. It contains the following articles: relate to renowned researchers in three major univer- sities of the world. •“The Meeting of Two Worlds: Searching for and Affirming Our Christian and Indigenous Identity,” by Jocabed Solano Later, they visited Rice University in Houston, Texas, •“Neo-Pentecostal Masculinities and Religion in the Public USA, to sign a cooperation agreement between uni- Sphere in Latin America” by Natanael Disla versities. The focus of the cooperation would be on •"The Influence of the Lausanne Covenant in Latin American research into graphene, through the Center for Churches,” by Sidney Rooy Advanced Research in Graphene, Nanomaterials and •“Bible Study in Latin America: An Exploration” by Juan José Nanotechnology (MackGraphe), of the School of Barreda Engineering, of PMU. The opportunity was also used to •Conference Document: “Who Writes History?: Indigenous visit the facilities of the partner university, and meet Dr. Spirituality and Mission Identity” Robert F. Curl Jr., Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1996. •Book Review of IAPCHE member H. Fernando Bullón’s Protestant Social Thought in Latin America: The Debate on --Articles provided by H. Fernando Bullón, Regional Director Development of IAPCHE in Latin America Contact • December 2015 6 ASIA-OCEANIA REGION Bethlehem Tertiary Institute Hosts 2015 Handong Global University Hosts Global Research Symposium Leader Talk Concert

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND--From September 3-4, POHANG, SOUTH KOREA--On October 27, Handong 2015, Bethlehem Tertiary Institute hosted the inaugural Global University (HGU) held the Global Leader Talk Research Symposium. Concert with several international organization experts. The symposium was This event was hosted by HGU and organized by the dedicated to fostering Youth Exchange Service International. Three interna- collegial sharing and dis- tional organization experts were invited in order to cussion about the address the major issues and challenges of internation- nature and place of al NGOs. These experts also shared their various efforts research within Christian and activities. This was an opportunity to share ideas higher education and and insights about the future role as globalized youths. by Christian educators. There were a total of 21 pre- sentations, which received positive feedback. The Joseph Mansilla, an expert from the World Bank in Symposium intended to encourage participants to social development and citizenship development fields appreciate one another’s research and scholarship, (pictured left), presented “The Role of Youth for the gain new and helpful insights relative to their respec- World to be Unified.” Pondet tive work, and develop partnerships for undertaking Ananchai, the Asian Development collaborative research together in the future. Bank’s Youth Initiative Coordinator also delivered a presentation called, “The BTI’s own Bev Norsworthy and Andrew Smith present- growth of youth is a driving force in ed the keynote addresses, complimented by other the development of Asia.” Hyung-min Kim, the Asian presenters from: Christian Heritage College (Brisbane), Youth Program Coordinator for Habitat International Laidlaw College shared his thoughts entitled, “Youths with Global (Auckland), the Māori Awareness as Global Citizens.” Each presenter had 30 Synod of the minutes and had a Q&A session. Presbyterian Church, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, St Johns Presbyterian Handong Global University Signs Agreement Church, and other with Montana University System members of BTI staff. Broadly speaking, the topics cov- ered were: the rationale for research within Christian SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA-- On October 29, 2015, President Higher Education, Māori church history, second gener- Soon-heung Chang of Handong Global University ation leadership in Christian schools, utilising (HGU) signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) for acade- Appreciative Inquiry for research development and mic exchange cooperation with Commissioner of organizational reflection, supporting and enabling Higher Education, Clayton Christian of the Montana Pasifika students and families, Christian discipleship University System (MUS). within tertiary education, digital confidence within The LOA establishes that teacher education, maximizing teacher education both partners will promote practicum, narrative research and practice as evok- international cooperation in ing of Biblical priorities, spiritual formation within pas- the fields of human toral care and teaching practice, power and ethics resources in academics, cul- within research. The presentations were both very high ture, education and research. HGU intends to pursue quality and of value to those who attended. academic exchanges specifically in law, American Indian education, and energy research. MUS is com- prised of sixteen public universities and colleges in the state of Montana, USA.

7 Contact • December 2015 NORTH AMERICA REGION King’s Name Change Passed by Legislative knowledge, and research that is being produced in Assembly of Alberta Christian schools and institutions. The conference, co- sponsored by the Ontario Christian teachers’ associa- EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA--On Dec. 9, 2015, the tion Edifide, was designed to expand the imaginations Legislative Assembly of Alberta passed legislation offi- of Christians to use their power as Christians to shape cially changing the name of The King’s University culture and further the kingdom. College to The King’s University. This legislation, spon- sored by Marlin The Centre for Christian Scholarship hosted three schol- Schmidt, member of ars from varying disciplines, each of whom has made a the Legislature for professional priority of participating in the public Edmonton-Gold Bar, sphere, translating their scholarly work into accessible marks a significant fare for our wider culture. milestone in the life of Dr. Karen Swallow Prior (Liberty University, Lynchburg, the 36-year-old inde- VA) is the author of Fierce pendent university, Convictions, a biography of eigh- which was first given the right to grant accredited teenth-century abolitionist Hannah degrees in 1987. In recent years the inclusion of the More. Prior discussed More’s word “College” in the institution’s name proved efforts to reform the culture of her increasingly challenging since in Alberta this term was day as a template for modern Christians shaping our used primarily to designate community colleges with own culture. non-university programs. Dr. Noah Toly (Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL) is an “We are thankful that the Legislative Assembly has internationally respected urbanist passed this new Act and changed our name,” says who spoke about the future of King’s Board of Governors Chair Bill Diepeveen. “As I cities and our Christian calling to said when this process began, it recognizes us for what work within the cityscape to we are, a full-fledged university with all that entails. shape a fair future for those most King’s has grown by more than 80 students since July vulnerable. Dr. Toly is also the recipient of the Centre’s 2014 when the name change process first began, and Emerging Public Intellectual Award, recognizing the we continue to have among the highest student satis- public impact of his scholarship. faction marks in Canada, in independent surveys.” Chemistry professor Dr Peter Mahaffy (The King’s University, Edmonton, AB) spoke Redeemer University College Hosts Purpose, about the work he does as co- Power, Potential Conference director of The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science ANCASTER, ONTARIO, CANADA--The Centre for (www.kcvs.ca) and the role of story-telling in helping Christian Scholarship is founded on the conviction that people to understand complicated scientific issues like Christian education is public education, and that climate change. Christian scholarship is public scholarship.” Dr Robert Joustra, Director of Redeemer University College’s new Each of these speakers demonstrated the tangible Centre for Christian Scholarship, made that declaration ways in which they use their scholarly privilege as a before an audience of Redeemer faculty and students, springboard for engaging culture and informing the Ontario Christian school teachers, and numerous other general public - unabashedly doing so from their participants at the “Purpose, Power, Potential Christian perspective. This exemplified the Centre’s mis- Conference held October 28-30, 2015, at Redeemer in sion to engage as Christians in wider cultural conversa- Hamilton, Canada. tions with our neighbors on culture-shaping issues.

Modern culture, more than ever, needs the wisdom, Contact • December 2015 8 NORTH AMERICA REGION Redeemer University College Launches New will be enhanced through experiential internship Media and Communication Studies Program opportunities, giving students the chance to learn from both scholars and practitioners in the field. ANCASTER, ONTARIO, CANADA--To address the issues and questions that have arisen from rapidly-changing technologies and their impact on culture, Redeemer IAPCHE Members Invited to Provide University College has introduced a new program in Feedback on Blog, “Charting Church Media and Communication Studies. Leadership” Launched in September 2015, the pro- gram will equip students to interpret, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA--Neil Carlson, IAPCHE assess and engage in culture-making member and director of the Calvin Center for Social through the interconnected world of Research (pictured right) digital media. invites IAPCHE members to view and provide feedback to “As a Christian university called to explore and trans- a new blog on Patheos.com’s form all areas of life, Redeemer wants to speak into Faith and Work Channel called the increasingly pervasive role that media and com- “Charting Church Leadership.” munications have in the lives of individ- uals and culture as a whole,” notes Carlson shares, “Charting Doug Needham, provost and vice Church Leadership is a learning president academic (pictured left). “It’s community interested in how social-scientific research reflected in the demand we have from findings can help set a farsighted course for the students to offer a program that will church as a global community. This is the church that prepare them for the digital environment in which exists far beyond the traditional European-style sanc- they live and work.” tuary, on weekdays and weekends, in schools and businesses, on sidewalks and mountainsides, in ideas Dr. Naaman Wood (pictured right) is the first full-time and in practice. It recognizes that pastors are person- professor in the program and he recognizes the impor- nel, laypeople are ministers, churches are organiza- tance of Christians to be engaged in the field. tions, and research can be prophetic.” “Media, be it social media, television, cinema, popu- An upcoming series of posts will present the essential lar music, radio, podcasts, or the like, are one of the content of Carlson’s presentation in the June 2015 defining features of our contemporary lives,” says IAPCHE conference “Should the Christian university be Wood. “However, it has been the tradition of many run like a corporation?” Carlson is eager to create a Christians to either avoid media altogether or engage global community of interested scholars and practi- it uncritically. Instead, we must discern, with great wis- tioners, to invite discussion, to recruit guest posts, and dom and patience, the contours of mediated life. Our eventually to share the blog by supporting a group of response to that engagement should reflect both co-authors. gospel healing and words of prophetic critique. And it Read the blog by visiting: should speak not only to our fellow Christians, but to www.patheos.com/blogs/chartingchristianleadership the wider world.” Those interested in joining the Faith and Work Channel The new program or other Patheos channels, please contact Rev. includes streams in Jennifer Woodruff Tait, [email protected]. Professional Writing, Media and Culture, and Digital Media and Production. All three combine the strengths of Redeemer’s broad faith-based liberal arts curriculum with applied courses in media and communications. The practical aspect of the program 9 Contact • December 2015 SEERVELD COLLECTED WORKS

Seerveld’s Collected Works Published organisations. Seerveld explores the unfavorable con- John Kok, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy ditions in which European society and its Christian Dordt College artists find themselves today. He masterfully locates current quandaries in the large timeframe stretching In 2014 Dordt College Press published six volumes of from Ancient Greece to the present, all the while intro- “sundry writings and occasional lectures” by Dr Calvin ducing normative alternatives that are biblically ori- Seerveld, emeritus professor of Philosophical Aesthetics ented. The artwork of mostly twentieth century and at the Institute for Christian Studies (Toronto). The contemporary artists that Seerveld includes exemplify books, totaling almost 2,000 pages, with more than the kind of redemptive, modern, Christian art which 450 images, contain many previously published (but he advocates. often hard to find) chapters, now housed “under one roof.” In addition, the books include more than 30 pre- The essays in Art History Revisited, introduced by Dirk viously unpublished lectures. This makes the series par- van den Berg and Henry Luttikhuizen, are divided into ticularly attractive and helpful for readers who want to two parts. Part I follows a general course from philoso- follow what Seerveld has been thinking and speaking phy to art history, and from the historiography of phi- about over the years. It was my privilege to serve as losophy to the historiography of art and aesthetics. general editor of these six volumes. Part II includes analyses of individual artists like Antoine Watteau and Gerald Folkerts, and the theory and Each book addresses an important theme in practice of artist/aestheticians like William Hogarth Seerveld’s work, and includes an introduction by a and Anton Raphael Mengs. As this selection of essays scholar influenced by his thought. What follows is a attests, Seerveld is well-versed in the history of art and brief overview of each volume. has himself made significant contributions to this field. Art, for Seerveld, belongs to the very infrastructure of a Seerveld sees education as inevitably a process of good society, in the same way that a country’s econ- induction into our cultural heritage. But this process omy, transportation system, or media network do: should occur in an ecumenical spirit of loving our “With a vital artistic infrastructure priming its inhabi- neighbors and their often “mistaken visions” of the tants’ imaginativity, a society can dress its wounds world and the meaning of life. As Cultural Education and be able to clothe and mitigate what otherwise and History Writing makes plain, we humans are initia- might become naked technocratic deeds.” tors – culture-makers, shapers of history, and also histo- Redemptive Art in Society, introduced by Adrienne ry-keepers – as much as we are inductees. For Dengerink Chaplin, addresses the need for Christian Seerveld “understanding and developing history” has public artistry and ways in which Christians can be a central role in education. But “history” is not under- stewards of art. stood as rote rehearsal of what has transpired, but as Seerveld is convinced that philosophical aesthetics – past and present events in their complex interrelation. systematic reflection on the nature and task of human These seventeen essays are introduced by Doug imaginative life – will be normative when the thought Blomberg and Gideon Strauss. is wholesome, edible, worth chewing, and builds the In the talks, lyrics, and articles in Biblical Studies and body of a community with joyful shalom. Normative Wisdom for Living, introduced by Craig Bartholomew Aesthetics, introduced by Lambert Zuidervaart, aims and Peter S. Smith, Seerveld opens Scripture in a vari- to spell out what this aesthetic imperative means for ety of life contexts in which God’s people find them- human imaginative acts, for the arts, and for other selves today. In both his professional studies and pop- activities and institutions where aesthetic functions ular lectures, Seerveld seeks to explicate, both play a role. devoutly and playfully, a biblical wisdom for daily liv- Cultural Problems in Western Society, introduced by ing, convinced as he is that the Holy Spirit-given bibli- Barbara Carvill, consists of papers presented between cal writings bespeak God’s everlasting care and wis- 1997 and 2010 at European cultural symposia of trade dom for us corporeal mortals. union leaders, Christian political parties, and arts 10 Contact • December 2015 Writings and Lectures by Calvin Seerveld

n his ground-breaking Dr.Seerveld’s carefully ork in aesthetics Calvin aed, scintillating, eerveld emphasizes the oetic words . . . are, to me, mportance of such things halom promises,, wisdom joy and imagination ven to encourage artists r aaesthetic theory. But n a broken, dark, and yet e allso practices what orious city to only seek e preaches.” he best, to integrate one’s —Rici hard J. Mouw fe and one’s art, and to 78--1-940567-00-6 athe everything in prayey r.” 330 pages $21.00 —Makoto Fujimura 978-1-940567-01-3 328 pages $21.00

Calvin Seerveld’s range Seerveld pursues nd synthesis of matters he divine continuity n mmodern European art hat binds and gives nd politics will astonish meaningful signicance well as inform and o the ordinary rovvoke engagement in articulars of historical is readers.” nd cultural moments.” —DDavidv Lyle Je rey —James Romaine 78--1-940567-02-0 78-1-940567-03-7 12 pages $17.00 14 pages $20.00

iis is a powerful For those of us who have olleection of essaysy een led and directed by hat reveal multiple alvin Seerveld’s books onnnections between o develop an artistic eliggious roots, magination as we read hiloosophical insights, cripture, this gathering nd social analysis.” f his occasional writings —Clarence W. Joldersma sheer bonus.” 78--1-940567-04-4 —Eugene H. Peterson 88 pages $23.00 78-1-940567-06-8 46 pages $25.00 Available from [email protected], Hearts & Minds Bookstore, and all major online booksellers

Dordt College Press For a detailed overview of these books and Sioux Center, Iowa 51250 to order: www..Dordt.edu/DCPcatalog

11 Contact • December 2015 SPECIAL BOOK FEATURE

Baylor University Press Book Series, “Studies in tsarist and Soviet regimes, the Evangelical Baptists of World Christianity” Releases Third Volume: Georgia have wholeheartedly sought Christ’s Great Commission. Contemporarily, sociopolitical and reli- Evangelical Christian Baptists of Georgia gio-liturgical changes have been central in this pursuit; by Malkhaz Songulashvili the EBCG’s recent reforms have opened up the church to new liturgical and ecclesial traditions both With the aim of featuring original scholarly works dedi- locally and internationally; they have stimulated and cated to particular movements, traditions, and historic been stimulated by neighboring Christian communities episodes in the development of Christianity world- like the Russian Orthodox Church as well as Western wide, the Baylor University Press’ book series, “Studies Evangelicals and Baptists. Consequently, the scope of in World Christianity,” has recently introduced a new the EBCG’s missiological practices has expanded. book written by a Georgian intellectual and church The book’s historically and theologically rich report is figure, former authenticated by the author’s status as an insider; his Archbishop of the account is validated by personal recollections and Evangelical Baptist archives, private conversations and letters as well as Church of Georgia church documents that have survived the former (EBCG). Malkhaz states’ purging of the Christian texts (book’s Songulashvili’s Appendices section). But, more than an ethnography, Evangelical Christian or even a historical report, Songulashvili’s vivid descrip- Baptists of Georgia tion aims at underscoring the centrality of God’s mis- (2015) is germane to his- sion in indigenous cultures, by demonstrating how the torians, theologians, stu- triangle of church, mission, and culture have interact- dents, and those inter- ed to energize the Georgian evangelists to locally and ested in the history of internationally respond to Christ’s calling: “go and church, mission, and make disciples of all nations.” indigenous cultures. Songulashvili employs a historical approach mainly to Description written by Ashti Mamash, Research Assistant/Scholar in outline the transformations of a mission-oriented Residence, Nagel Institute of World Christianity church, both evangelical and Baptist, yet quite differ- ent from its Baptist or Evangelical counterparts—a Other Volumes in the Baylor University Press church unique even in its own region, Eastern Europe. Series, “Studies in World Christianity”

Formed in 19th century, surviving and even flourishing in the political and social quandaries of tsarist and First Volume: Soviet Russia, as the book unfolds, the EBCG has faith- The Making of Korean Christianity: fully pursued God’s Mission (Missio Dei). Actually, Protestant Encounters with Korean Songulashvili argues in this five-chapter writing, the Religions, 1876-1915 passion for mission is not new to Georgian Christians. by Sung-Deuk Oak Having inherited the early church’s legacy of tradi- tions vital to missiology-- Eucharist, collective fasting, the Kiss of Peace (a traditional Christian greeting), Second Volume: Converts to Civil Society: Christianity Georgians have always utilized their aboriginal liturgies and Political Culture in Contemporary for sharing Christ’s beauty. Hong Kong As Songulashvili’s historiography highlights, despite by Lida V. Nedilsky persecution, martyrdom, and even some church lead- ers’ religious unorthodoxy or collaboration with the Contact • December 2015 12 BOOKS*

Teaching and Christian Imagination Theology without Borders: An By David I. Smith and Susan M. Felch Introduction to Global Conversations Eerdmans, January 2016 By William A. Dyrness and Oscar Garcia- Teaching and Christian Imagination Johnson Baker Academic, December 2015 emerged from four years of rich discus- sions among an interdisciplinary team of Everyone knows the nature of college faculty at Calvin College. What Christianity has changed and the we need in Christian higher education, church is growing rapidly outside the the authors claim, is a deeply Christian West. But there is no consensus as to vision, not just beliefs and techniques. Although our work what this means for doing theology. Must Western theology may be framed by clear statements of belief, the sources be exported? Should Westerners rethink their views of God that mold how we actually imagine teaching and learning and the Bible in the light of non-Western thinkers? often end up being pragmatic and secular, and these Theology without Borders argues that the current demo- sources will not nourish us as Christian teachers and scholars. graphics of Christianity demand that theology becomes a Teaching and Christian Imagination explores three comparative exercise in which different voices reflect their metaphors as they have emerged from biblical texts and different settings and begin to learn from each other. It also the Christian tradition: journeys, gardens, and buildings. It describes the challenges such a project raises. This concise encourages readers to play with these metaphors by asking introduction provides an overview of an emerging global questions: What if the arduous march through the academic discussion in theology by modeling this discussion from two year were transformed into a pilgrimage? What if planning different perspectives. Combining the voices of a Western for what will be “covered” in a class came to seem more and a non-Western theologian, it integrates Western theo- like building a cathedral than completing a chart? What if logical tradition with emerging global perspectives, explor- teaching became a type of gardening profoundly connect- ing the major issues involved in rethinking theology in light of ed to both play and justice? the explosion of world Christianity. The book envisions a con- structive integration of traditional and postcolonial theolo- Three metaphors, rather than one, are presented, because gies and underlines the contributions from the Global South. no single image provides a master metaphor. Each It will be of interest to theology and missiology professors metaphor reveals some things about teaching and learning and students as well as church leaders and readers interest- and hides others. If the categories we habitually think in ed in the changing face of world Christianity. have worn thin, perhaps the most practical use of time is to reflect on what we actually do in the classroom and then to re-imagine how we do it. As the authors note, “This book is Global Gospel: An Introduction to an invitation to take a deep breath, slow down, and allow Christianity on Five Continents By your weary soul to recover.” Douglas Jacobsen Baker Academic, December 2015

There and Back: Living and In this pathbreaking book, award-win- Learning Abroad ning author Douglas Jacobsen describes by Donald G. DeGraaf global Christianity and provides a frame- Calvin College Press, December work for understanding the varied expe- 2015 riences of Christians around the world. There and Back: Living and Focusing on the five big continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America, Jacobsen recounts their Learning Abroad encourages stu- differing histories, contemporary experiences, and cultural dents to prepare for off-campus theologies. In the current era of massive and dynamic glob- study programs, to think deeply al challenges, this accessible and fair-minded volume sets about the challenges they will encounter, to document their the stage for Christians worldwide to engage the gospel-- growth, and to explore, affirm, and expand their faith. and each other--more deeply. Featuring blog posts from former students, There and Back offers a resource to help students become pilgrims rather Professors and students of the history of Christianity, global than tourists and to deepen their study abroad experience. Christianity, and missions will value this work, as will all read- ers interested in world Christianity.

13 Contact • December 2015 B O O K S *

The Unexpected Christian Century: Latin America and other parts of the Majority World are The Reversal and Transformation of growing rapidly. Western Christianity can no longer claim to Global Christianity, 1900-2000 be the center of the global church. Before long, two-thirds By Scott W. Sunquist of Christians will live in Asia, Africa and Latin America. What Baker Academic, December 2015 does this mean for global Christian mission? What does it mean for worship, theology, faith and evangelism in the In 1900 many assumed the twentieth West? century would be a Christian century because Western "Christian empires" In Global Church, Graham Hill engages with more than one ruled most of the world. What hap- hundred high-profile Majority World Christian leaders to find pened instead is that Christianity in the West declined dra- out what they can teach the West about mission, leader- matically, the empires collapsed, and Christianity's center ship, hospitality, creation care, education, worship and moved to Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. How more. He challenges the Western church to move away did this happen so quickly? Respected scholar and teacher from a Eurocentric and Americentric view of church and Scott Sunquist surveys the most recent century of Christian mission, and he calls the church to construct global missional history, highlighting epochal changes in global Christianity. conversations. The future of the global church—including He also suggests lessons we can learn from this remarkable the churches of the West—exists in these global exchanges. global Christian reversal. Ideal for an introduction to This resource engages with the work and thought of Majority Christianity or a church history course, this book includes a World theologians and missiologists including: foreword by Mark Noll. •Simon Chan •Ruth Padilla DeBorst •Samuel Escobar The Trinity among the Nations: The •Ajith Fernando Doctrine of God in the Majority •Makoto Fujimura World •Gustavo Gutiérrez By Gene L. Green, Stephen T. Pardue, •Emmanuel Katongole and K. K. Yeo •Nelson Mandela Eerdmans, November 2015 •Vishal Mangalwadi •C. René Padilla Though the global center of Christianity •Lamin Sanneh has been shifting south and east over •Sadhu Sundar Singh the past few decades, very few theo- •Vinoth Ramachandra logical resources have dealt with the seismic changes •Amos Yong afoot. The Majority World Theology series seeks to remedy Global Church is an indispensible guide for the church as it that lack by gathering well-regarded Christian thinkers from navigates the unique global experiences of the twenty-first around the world to discuss the significance of Christian century. teaching in their respective contexts. Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics: A The Trinity among the Nations focuses on Christian under- Comprehensive Framework for standings of the character and work of God in various con- Hearing God in Scripture texts. The contributors highlight global trends in trinitarian theology in relation to historic Christian confessions, espe- By Craig Bartholomew Baker Academic, November 2015 cially the Nicene Creed, and draw out the rich implications of the doctrine of God for the church and Christian living Renowned scholar Craig Bartholomew, today. coauthor of the bestselling textbook The Global Church: Reshaping Our Drama of Scripture (75,000 copies sold), Conversations, Renewing Our writes in his main area of expertise-- Mission, Revitalizing Our Churches hermeneutics--to help seminarians pursue a lifetime of bibli- By Graham Hill, Foreword by Scot cal interpretation. Integrating the latest research in theology, McKnight philosophy, and biblical studies, this substantive hermeneu- IVP Academic, December 2015 tics textbook is robustly theological in its approach, takes philosophical hermeneutics seriously, keeps the focus Christianity seems to be in decline in the throughout on the actual process of interpreting Scripture, West. But many churches in Asia, Africa, and argues that biblical interpretation should be centered Contact • December 2015 14 BOOKS* in the context and service of the church--an approach freedom and how they have been applied to the nation's that helps us hear God's address today. Christian colleges and universities. The book also dissects a series of recent case studies on the major controversial intellectual issues within and in, in some cases, about the Wisdom for Thinkers: An Christian college community. Ringenberg ably analyzes the Introduction to Christian Philosophy ways in which these academic institutions have evolved By Willem J. Ouweneel over time, outlining their efforts to evolve and remain rele- Paideia Press, 2014 vant while maintaining their core values and historic identi- ties. WHAT IS A THING? WHAT IS THE NATURE Our Program: A Christian OF REALITY? There are only 26 letters in Political Manifesto the alphabet. But with those 26 letters over one million English language By Abraham Kuyper words can be formed. There are only Lexham Press, November 2015 88 notes on a common keyboard. Place those notes at In Our Program, Abraham Kuyper pre- the disposal of trained musicians and their instruments, and sents a Christian alternative to the sec- Bono or Beethoven will send the soul soaring. The numbers ular politics of his day. At that time, the 0 to 9 are whole numbers. That's all there are - 10 digits. church and state were closely tied, Yet this handful of digits enables numeration to go on into with one usually controlling the other. infinity. Science students are intimately acquainted with But Kuyper's political framework showed how the church the Table of Elements. Two parts hydrogen and one part and state could engage with each other while remaining oxygen form water. Without it life ceases. Fundamentals separate. His insights, though specific to his time and are indispensable to acquiring knowledge. They are the place, remain highly relevant to Christians involved in the steel beams within which the entire paradigm of knowl- political sphere today. edge is constructed. So everyone knows their ABC's, their This new translation of Our Program, created in partnership Do, Re, Mi's and their 1-2-3's. But did you know that hardly with the Kuyper Translation Society and the Acton Institute, anyone can summarize, in order, the sixteen (16) different is part of a major series of new translations of Kuyper's most ways all things (entities) on earth exist? This book provides important writings. The Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in a clear explanation of what the author calls the “16 Public Theology marks a historic moment in Kuyper studies, modalities.” Willem Ouweneel, who holds PhD. degrees in aimed at deepening and enriching the church's develop- biology, philosophy, and theology, seeks to provide read- ment of public theology. ers with a better understanding and appreciation of cre- ation and the ingenuity of its Creator. In the process he ______*Please note that the information shared here on books is taken provide an answer to the riddle that has escaped philoso- from publishers’ promotional materials and should not be consid- phers since the days of Plato and Aristotle. ered a review of the books by IAPCHE.

The Christian College and the Don’t forget to register today! Meaning of Academic Freedom: Truth-Seeking in Community By William C. Ringenberg Palgrave Macmillan, January 2016 The Christian College and the Meaning of Academic Freedom is a study of the past record and current practice of the Protestant colleges in America in the quest to achieve intellectual honesty within academic community.

William C. Ringenberg lays out the history of academic freedom in higher education in America, including its European antecedents, from the perspective of modern Christian higher education. He discusses the Christian val- ues that provide context for the idea of academic Contact • December 2015 15 CONTACT Contact is the official newsletter of the International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education (IAPCHE). It is published quarterly as a way of informing its members about news from across the many world regions in which IAPCHE operates. If you have any news items you would like to share with IAPCHE’s members worldwide, please contact IAPCHE at

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ABOUT IAPCHE IAPCHE is a network of institutions and individuals worldwide committed to advancing Christian education through training, capacity building, scholarship, and networking in ways that reflect both the universal (shared view of Christ’s centrality in our identity and work) and the local (attending to the specific realities and practices of where and who we serve).

IAPCHE’s Mission is to develop a network that facilitates contact and mutual assistance, acts as a catalyst for research and training, and encourages biblical and contextual responses to the critical issues in con- temporary society, so as to help people serve the Lord Jesus Christ in an integral way. ______

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Contact • December 2015