Crossroads Reflections

I've just finished a grueling but incredibly satisfying conference at both my alma mater and the uni where I teach part time. A few reflections at the close before more sustained comments in the days to come.

1. It is good - so incredibly good - to think in an interdisciplinary context. The initial challenge can be formidable (what do you mean by realism?), but the dividends can be substantial. The combination of speakers, presenters and attendees was a smorgosbord of talent and expertise thinking deeply and Christianly about how to live with integrity in a broken and complex world.

2. What a delight to be among so many lost friends! The conference felt - in the words of one of the organizers - like a big reunion. Friends, colleagues and acquaintances the world over came together for days of hard thinking, conversation and prayer.

3. How badly we Christians need better representation/thinking in two key areas: economics and international politics, and especially their interrelationship. Almost every paper/discussion at the conference felt the touch of these powerful spheres on our lives and our institutions.

4. Finally - as Ray Pennings said in his session - if Christians want to speak relevantly and prophetically into our systems and publics we must begin answering the questions our neighbours are actually asking. As a person committed to the Christian university, this means to me that our departments and pedagogy must focus around equipping students to meet the challenges of the world such as they are. This means that a liberal arts education - in 21st century Canada - seems to have a few non-negotiables, including which I think is an overdue emphasis on economics and business. If we believe we can graduate tough thinking culture makers who cannot read the profound idols and forces of our day, we are sorely mistaken.