Friday, 29 August 2014
Joe Kirby in British Columbia
The New Fall Semester Begins at ICS!
This month marks the beginning of the new fall semester at ICS! There are six courses starting next week:
Biblical Foundations with Dr Nik Ansell
Nature, Supernature & Miracle in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas with Dr Bob Sweetman
Theories of Truth with Dr Lambert Zuidervaart
Religion, Life and Society: Reformational Philosophy with Dr Lambert Zuidervaart
God/Sex/Word/Flesh: Gender, Theology, and the Body with Dr Nik Ansell
Religion, Critical Theory and Habermas with Dr Ron Kuipers
Two distance courses are offered this semester:
Christianity and the Ecological Crisis with Chris Allers
Ways of Learning with Elaine Brouwer
For all course descriptions and timetables, please visit courses.icscanada.edu.
Biblical Foundations with Dr Nik Ansell
Nature, Supernature & Miracle in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas with Dr Bob Sweetman
Theories of Truth with Dr Lambert Zuidervaart
Religion, Life and Society: Reformational Philosophy with Dr Lambert Zuidervaart
God/Sex/Word/Flesh: Gender, Theology, and the Body with Dr Nik Ansell
Religion, Critical Theory and Habermas with Dr Ron Kuipers
Two distance courses are offered this semester:
Christianity and the Ecological Crisis with Chris Allers
Ways of Learning with Elaine Brouwer
For all course descriptions and timetables, please visit courses.icscanada.edu.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Prayer Letter: September 2014
Monday, September 1: We pray for guidance and energy for all those participating in the Registration and Orientation Week and the annual ICS community fall retreat later this week. We thank God for all of our Junior Members and ask God to bless them as they begin another year of studies at ICS.
Tuesday, September 2: This is Registration Day for our returning Junior Members. We pray for safe travel for all new and returning Junior Members who are coming to study at ICS this fall. As the students arrive, we ask God to help with energy and flexibility for their back-to-school transition.
Wednesday, September 3: Today is ICS's Community Fall Retreat. This event has traditionally served as a wonderful start to another year of our life together at ICS and we pray that this year will be no exception.
Thursday, September 4: Today is Registration Day for our seven new Junior Members. We offer prayers of thanks for the addition of these new Junior Members to the ICS community this fall. Please continue to remember them in your prayers as they make the final preparations and transitions this summer in order to begin their program studies here next week.
Friday, September 5: Today we offer prayers of thanks. Harry Knibbe, father of Junior Member Stefan Knibbe recently had surgery and has made a great recovery.
Monday, September 8: The first week of classes begins today! The first course of the new academic year starts today: "Biblical Foundations" with Senior Member Nik Ansell. We ask for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Tuesday, September 9: Today is the first class of the new course “Nature, Supernature and Miracle in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas” with Senior Member Bob Sweetman, and “Theories of Truth” with Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart. We offer prayers for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Wednesday, September 10: Today is the first day of the new course “Religion, Life and Society: Reformational Philosophy” with Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart. We pray for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Today the new Junior Members will be visiting the Toronto School of Theology and the University of Toronto Library. We pray for an informative experience for all the participants.
Thursday, September 11: Today are the first classes of the new courses “God/Sex/Word/Flesh: Gender Theology and the Body” with Senior Member Nik Ansell and “Religion, Critical Theory and Habermas” with Senior Member Ron Kuipers. We offer prayers for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Friday, September 12: Please pray for the ICS Board recruitment process, that committed and able candidates for Board vacancies will be offered to the ICS membership for approval this fall.
Monday, September 15: Two distance education courses begin this week: “Christianity and the Ecological Crisis” with Chris Allers and “Ways of Learning” with Elaine Brouwer. We pray to God to bless all the course participants.
Tuesday, September 16: As this academic year begins, we thank God for Christian education in our world, and thank God for the ICS's unique position in that sphere.
Wednesday, September 17: Today is the first Academic Council meeting of the 2014-2015 academic year, and there is a Board meeting this evening. We pray for God's wisdom to guide the discussions and decisions at these meetings.
Thursday, September 18: We offer prayers of thanks for the many people who have presented ICS with gifts of prayer, money, and expressions of appreciation, especially throughout these quiet summer months. We truly value our relationship with you, as we are constantly blessed with your interest and support.
Friday, September 19: We pray for blessings for the Friends of ICS Board and all those who are doing advancement work in the US.
Monday, September 22: Today we offer prayers for wisdom and stamina for those who are currently planning the annual meeting of the Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy which will take place in October. Senior Member Shannon Hoff and Junior Member Daniel Rudisill are both involved in planning for this event.
Tuesday, September 23: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.
Wednesday, September 24: Today is the first Faculty meeting of the 2014-2015 academic year. We pray for God's wisdom to guide this meeting.
Thursday, September 25: Today we pray for God's help for those who are struggling with illnesses. We ask God for strength, patience and for good results from treatment.
Friday, September 26: We pray for energy and enthusiasm for those who are involved in planning the upcoming issue of Perspective.
Monday, September 29: We offer prayers of praise for the talent of Junior Member Joe Kirby who will be presenting a paper at Simon Fraser University next weekend.
Tuesday, September 30: Today we pray for the general well-being of the ICS. We ask for blessings and energy for ICS faculty and staff as they work together to manage their many responsibilities.
Tuesday, September 2: This is Registration Day for our returning Junior Members. We pray for safe travel for all new and returning Junior Members who are coming to study at ICS this fall. As the students arrive, we ask God to help with energy and flexibility for their back-to-school transition.
Wednesday, September 3: Today is ICS's Community Fall Retreat. This event has traditionally served as a wonderful start to another year of our life together at ICS and we pray that this year will be no exception.
Thursday, September 4: Today is Registration Day for our seven new Junior Members. We offer prayers of thanks for the addition of these new Junior Members to the ICS community this fall. Please continue to remember them in your prayers as they make the final preparations and transitions this summer in order to begin their program studies here next week.
Friday, September 5: Today we offer prayers of thanks. Harry Knibbe, father of Junior Member Stefan Knibbe recently had surgery and has made a great recovery.
Monday, September 8: The first week of classes begins today! The first course of the new academic year starts today: "Biblical Foundations" with Senior Member Nik Ansell. We ask for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Tuesday, September 9: Today is the first class of the new course “Nature, Supernature and Miracle in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas” with Senior Member Bob Sweetman, and “Theories of Truth” with Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart. We offer prayers for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Wednesday, September 10: Today is the first day of the new course “Religion, Life and Society: Reformational Philosophy” with Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart. We pray for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Today the new Junior Members will be visiting the Toronto School of Theology and the University of Toronto Library. We pray for an informative experience for all the participants.
Thursday, September 11: Today are the first classes of the new courses “God/Sex/Word/Flesh: Gender Theology and the Body” with Senior Member Nik Ansell and “Religion, Critical Theory and Habermas” with Senior Member Ron Kuipers. We offer prayers for God's blessing on all the course participants.
Friday, September 12: Please pray for the ICS Board recruitment process, that committed and able candidates for Board vacancies will be offered to the ICS membership for approval this fall.
Monday, September 15: Two distance education courses begin this week: “Christianity and the Ecological Crisis” with Chris Allers and “Ways of Learning” with Elaine Brouwer. We pray to God to bless all the course participants.
Tuesday, September 16: As this academic year begins, we thank God for Christian education in our world, and thank God for the ICS's unique position in that sphere.
Wednesday, September 17: Today is the first Academic Council meeting of the 2014-2015 academic year, and there is a Board meeting this evening. We pray for God's wisdom to guide the discussions and decisions at these meetings.
Thursday, September 18: We offer prayers of thanks for the many people who have presented ICS with gifts of prayer, money, and expressions of appreciation, especially throughout these quiet summer months. We truly value our relationship with you, as we are constantly blessed with your interest and support.
Friday, September 19: We pray for blessings for the Friends of ICS Board and all those who are doing advancement work in the US.
Monday, September 22: Today we offer prayers for wisdom and stamina for those who are currently planning the annual meeting of the Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy which will take place in October. Senior Member Shannon Hoff and Junior Member Daniel Rudisill are both involved in planning for this event.
Tuesday, September 23: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.
Wednesday, September 24: Today is the first Faculty meeting of the 2014-2015 academic year. We pray for God's wisdom to guide this meeting.
Thursday, September 25: Today we pray for God's help for those who are struggling with illnesses. We ask God for strength, patience and for good results from treatment.
Friday, September 26: We pray for energy and enthusiasm for those who are involved in planning the upcoming issue of Perspective.
Monday, September 29: We offer prayers of praise for the talent of Junior Member Joe Kirby who will be presenting a paper at Simon Fraser University next weekend.
Tuesday, September 30: Today we pray for the general well-being of the ICS. We ask for blessings and energy for ICS faculty and staff as they work together to manage their many responsibilities.
Thursday, 21 August 2014
ICS in Italy: Art in Orvieto
ART (Art, Religion, and Theology) in Orvieto is a summer studies program which will offer an ecumenical exploration of the history of Christian understandings of the arts in conjunction with the opportunity to participate in arts workshops geared to practicing artists. This program will be centered in Orvieto, Italy—a historically fertile ground for aesthetic imagination—and hosted in cooperation with the Studio for Art, Faith and History, a satellite campus of Gordon College (Wenham, Massachusetts).
The program is designed as a four week residency serving writers, artists and graduate students and those interested in the intersection of art, religion, and theology.
The program will take place between June 29 and July 24, 2015. Space is limited, and the final application deadline is November 30, 2014. For further details about the program and the application process, please contact Jeffrey Hocking at jeffreyh@icscanada.edu or 416-979-2331, ext. 240.
Dr. Rebekah Smick, Senior Member in Arts and Culture at ICS, will serve as the coordinator for this program and lead instructor for its academic components. In addition to the one credit course led by Dr. Smick, workshops will be lead by carpenter and writer John Terpstra and artist Paul Roorda. Further details about the course and workshops can be found here.
The program is designed as a four week residency serving writers, artists and graduate students and those interested in the intersection of art, religion, and theology.
The program will take place between June 29 and July 24, 2015. Space is limited, and the final application deadline is November 30, 2014. For further details about the program and the application process, please contact Jeffrey Hocking at jeffreyh@icscanada.edu or 416-979-2331, ext. 240.
Dr. Rebekah Smick, Senior Member in Arts and Culture at ICS, will serve as the coordinator for this program and lead instructor for its academic components. In addition to the one credit course led by Dr. Smick, workshops will be lead by carpenter and writer John Terpstra and artist Paul Roorda. Further details about the course and workshops can be found here.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Over $100,000 raised! Thank you!
We at the Institute for Christian Studies—Faculty, Students, and Staff—are humbled and so very grateful for your generous response to our matching gift campaign. We wish to express our sincere thanks to you and to all who continue to believe in the importance of ICS and support its mission. We appreciate every donation at every level that has contributed to the success of this unique campaign. Your gift and personal commitment directly and positively impacts our Junior Members, our ability to hold community events, and our commitment to cutting edge scholarship and research. As we celebrate this success, we give thanks for the blessing of our community of committed supporters.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to the two donors (who wish to remain anonymous) who encouraged our fundraising efforts with their offer to match all new or increased givings received during the campaign. Like you, these donors cherish ICS’s standing as the only graduate school in North America that offers a PhD program rooted in reformational Christian scholarship. Like you, they strongly believe that scholars and practitioners in North America and beyond should have the opportunity to study at ICS.
The results of this campaign can only be described as incredible! The two generous donors presented us with a fundraising challenge and you, our long time and new supporters, rose up and met that challenge with amazing success—over $100,000 raised! We couldn’t be happier about the enthusiasm and the encouragement this success contributes to the work of our Junior and Senior Members.
We know that ICS is rooted in a sense of togetherness, and the phenomenal success of this fundraising campaign demonstrates our community coming together to proudly say that the mission of ICS must go on! What this means is that together we will continue to:
Events and projects such as these address critical issues in our society, encourages the sharing of ideas, and serves to orchestrate change in our world that welcomes our Lord’s shalom.
We are sincerely grateful for you and each of our donors, and express our utmost appreciation for your support of the important, ongoing work at ICS.
With gratitude,
The on-campus ICS Community
We also owe a debt of gratitude to the two donors (who wish to remain anonymous) who encouraged our fundraising efforts with their offer to match all new or increased givings received during the campaign. Like you, these donors cherish ICS’s standing as the only graduate school in North America that offers a PhD program rooted in reformational Christian scholarship. Like you, they strongly believe that scholars and practitioners in North America and beyond should have the opportunity to study at ICS.
The results of this campaign can only be described as incredible! The two generous donors presented us with a fundraising challenge and you, our long time and new supporters, rose up and met that challenge with amazing success—over $100,000 raised! We couldn’t be happier about the enthusiasm and the encouragement this success contributes to the work of our Junior and Senior Members.
We know that ICS is rooted in a sense of togetherness, and the phenomenal success of this fundraising campaign demonstrates our community coming together to proudly say that the mission of ICS must go on! What this means is that together we will continue to:
- Educate the next generation of scholars and leaders to bring God’s renewal and hope to our world
- Offer public outreach through events like the recently concluded conference, Are We There Yet? Economic Justice and the Common Good
- Conduct thought-provoking research projects like Justice & Faith: Individual Spirituality and Social Responsibility in the Christian Reformed Church in Canada, a study that is taking us right into the pews of CRC churches across Canada.
Events and projects such as these address critical issues in our society, encourages the sharing of ideas, and serves to orchestrate change in our world that welcomes our Lord’s shalom.
We are sincerely grateful for you and each of our donors, and express our utmost appreciation for your support of the important, ongoing work at ICS.
With gratitude,
The on-campus ICS Community
Lambert Zuidervaart on Editorial Board
Lambert Zuidervaart, Senior Member in Philosophy, ICS alumnus James K. A. Smith, and ICS Chancellor John Kok have been appointed to the Editorial Board of Philosophia Reformata, the international journal for reformational philosophy established by Herman Dooyeweerd and Dirk Vollenhoven in 1935. The journal publishes articles from a broad spectrum of philosophy in relation to Christianity, under the direction of its new editor-in-chief, Professor Gerrit Glas. Information about the new editorial team and editorial board is posted on the journal’s website at http://www.philosophia-reformata.org/content/editors.
John Hiemstra and Henriette Thompson in Alberta
Dr. John Hiemstra, professor of Political Studies at The King's University College, Edmonton, and alumnus of ICS, and Henriette Thompson, Board chair of ICS, will co-facilitate an immersion session, "Faith in the Oil/Tar Sands Developments: Excavating for Deeper Narratives" in Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Alberta, August 15 - 21.
For more information: http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/Portals/0/April%202014/JusticeCampBrochureMarch2014.pdf
For more information: http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/Portals/0/April%202014/JusticeCampBrochureMarch2014.pdf
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
New Videos
Three videos arising from two events in 2014 are now available. Enjoy!
March 2014 Art Talks! Lecture
The Byzantine Icon is Alive and Well: The Practice and Reflections of a Working Iconographer
• Iconographer Lynette Hull interviewed by Rebekah Smick
May 2014 Edmonton Conference
Are We There Yet? Economic Justice and the Common Good
• Keynote Address by Dr. Bob Goudzwaard
• Keynote Address by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy
March 2014 Art Talks! Lecture
The Byzantine Icon is Alive and Well: The Practice and Reflections of a Working Iconographer
• Iconographer Lynette Hull interviewed by Rebekah Smick
May 2014 Edmonton Conference
Are We There Yet? Economic Justice and the Common Good
• Keynote Address by Dr. Bob Goudzwaard
• Keynote Address by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Prayer letter: August 2014
Friday, August 1: Summer is here and many people are planning vacations. Many members of the ICS community will be traveling in the summer months to spend time with family and friends. We continue to pray for safe travel and that the time spent with loved ones be rich and refreshing.
Monday, August 4: Today is our Civic Holiday in Canada. We pray that it will be an enjoyable time for rest and relaxation with loved ones.
Tuesday, August 5: We offer prayers of gratitude for the results of our matching gift campaign. We are truly blessed to have your partnership of continued faith and commitment to our work.
Wednesday, August 6: We pray for blessings for the Friends of ICS Board and all those who are doing advancement work in the US.
Thursday, August 7: We continue to pray for blessings and energy for Senior Member Doug Blomberg, as he manages his many responsibilities.
Friday, August 8: Today we pray for energy and wisdom for our Junior Members who are trying to finish their theses by the end of the month.
Monday, August 11: We continue to pray for safe and pleasant journeys and we pray for rest and renewal for the Senior Members and Administrative Staff who are enjoying vacations this month.
Tuesday, August 12: There is a Finance and Fundraising Committee meeting scheduled today. We pray for God’s wisdom to guide this meeting.
Wednesday, August 13: We celebrate the addition of seven new Junior Members to the ICS community this fall, and we remember them in our prayers as they make the necessary preparations and transitions over the summer in order to begin their studies in September.
Thursday, August 14: Today we pray for God’s help for those who are struggling with illnesses. We ask God for strength, patience and good results from treatment.
Friday, August 15: Today we offer prayers of praise for the talents of Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart who has been appointed to the Editorial Board of Philosophia Reformata.
Monday, August 18: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.
Tuesday, August 19: Summer is a time for crops to grow healthy and strong to harvest for the leaner months. We pray for farmers, that their crops will flourish, and for those who are hungry, that they may have what they need.
Wednesday, August 20: We ask God to bless and guide Senior Member Ron Kuipers and Allyson Carr as they continue their work with our Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics.
Thursday, August 21: We ask for energy as we prepare for the seven new Junior Members who will be joining us in September.
Friday, August 22: Today we pray for God to bless and guide our Junior Members who are finishing their MA theses, or working towards important stages of our programs like comprehensive exams, thesis defenses, etc. We ask for God’s blessing and guidance on their research and writing.
Monday, August 25: Senior Members often spend much of the summer developing course curriculum and giving attention to research projects. We are extremely grateful for the work of our Senior Members and ask for God's blessing on them.
Tuesday, August 26: We pray for success in the selection process for new Board members.
Wednesday, August 27: The CPRSE’s Justice and Faith project, in partnership with the Christian Reformed Church and the Centre for Community Based Research, continues its work over the Summer. We pray for wisdom for all partners as they head into the second year of the project.
Thursday, August 28: We pray for safe travel for all new and returning Junior Members who are coming to study at ICS this fall.
Friday, August 29: We pray for guidance and energy for all those participating in the preparations for Registration and Orientation Week and the annual ICS community fall retreat next week.
Monday, August 4: Today is our Civic Holiday in Canada. We pray that it will be an enjoyable time for rest and relaxation with loved ones.
Tuesday, August 5: We offer prayers of gratitude for the results of our matching gift campaign. We are truly blessed to have your partnership of continued faith and commitment to our work.
Wednesday, August 6: We pray for blessings for the Friends of ICS Board and all those who are doing advancement work in the US.
Thursday, August 7: We continue to pray for blessings and energy for Senior Member Doug Blomberg, as he manages his many responsibilities.
Friday, August 8: Today we pray for energy and wisdom for our Junior Members who are trying to finish their theses by the end of the month.
Monday, August 11: We continue to pray for safe and pleasant journeys and we pray for rest and renewal for the Senior Members and Administrative Staff who are enjoying vacations this month.
Tuesday, August 12: There is a Finance and Fundraising Committee meeting scheduled today. We pray for God’s wisdom to guide this meeting.
Wednesday, August 13: We celebrate the addition of seven new Junior Members to the ICS community this fall, and we remember them in our prayers as they make the necessary preparations and transitions over the summer in order to begin their studies in September.
Thursday, August 14: Today we pray for God’s help for those who are struggling with illnesses. We ask God for strength, patience and good results from treatment.
Friday, August 15: Today we offer prayers of praise for the talents of Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart who has been appointed to the Editorial Board of Philosophia Reformata.
Monday, August 18: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.
Tuesday, August 19: Summer is a time for crops to grow healthy and strong to harvest for the leaner months. We pray for farmers, that their crops will flourish, and for those who are hungry, that they may have what they need.
Wednesday, August 20: We ask God to bless and guide Senior Member Ron Kuipers and Allyson Carr as they continue their work with our Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics.
Thursday, August 21: We ask for energy as we prepare for the seven new Junior Members who will be joining us in September.
Friday, August 22: Today we pray for God to bless and guide our Junior Members who are finishing their MA theses, or working towards important stages of our programs like comprehensive exams, thesis defenses, etc. We ask for God’s blessing and guidance on their research and writing.
Monday, August 25: Senior Members often spend much of the summer developing course curriculum and giving attention to research projects. We are extremely grateful for the work of our Senior Members and ask for God's blessing on them.
Tuesday, August 26: We pray for success in the selection process for new Board members.
Wednesday, August 27: The CPRSE’s Justice and Faith project, in partnership with the Christian Reformed Church and the Centre for Community Based Research, continues its work over the Summer. We pray for wisdom for all partners as they head into the second year of the project.
Thursday, August 28: We pray for safe travel for all new and returning Junior Members who are coming to study at ICS this fall.
Friday, August 29: We pray for guidance and energy for all those participating in the preparations for Registration and Orientation Week and the annual ICS community fall retreat next week.
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