Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Janet Read’s Art Exhibit
ICS alumna Janet Read is exhibiting her new paintings at the Aurora Cultural Centre until Saturday, November 17. The Centre is located at 22 Church Street in Aurora. For information, call 905-713-1818 or visit http://www.auroraculturalcentre.ca.
Monday, 22 October 2012
Message from the President
Human beings act. They do things. They move and encounter things. Humans change things and are changed by them. But what about communities or institutions? Does it make sense to say that they act? Or are their acts first and foremost the acts of individuals who participate in the community or institution? Maybe the acts of individuals are also and at the same time the act of a community or institution, at any rate if that individual has been invested with the office of acting on behalf of it? How are communities or institutions actors, movers and shakers within our world, how are they difference makers? How are they like individual human actors and how are they not? These are the sorts of questions that have been turning around in my head these days.
You see, I currently serve on a PhD thesis committee at the Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. I was asked to provide a formal response to the PhD candidate’s (John Lorenc’s) presentation of his doctoral seminar. He is working on a late thirteenth-century Dominican John of Freiburg and his magnum opus, the Summa confessorum which title can be translated as A Comprehensive Guide to Confessors. John Lorenc finds the Marxist theories of Antonio Gramsci helpful in coming to terms with his thirteenth-century Dominican’s treatment of issues around usury, the practice of charging interest on loans. Something similar to the notion of interest (something licit) in contrast to usury (something illicit) was starting to emerge by John of Freiburg’s day, but suspicion of greed and other vices still hung heavy over any actual lending of money at interest. Such lending put one at spiritual risk, surely. In John’s day, this ambivalence was palpable; efforts were put into preserving the fact of interest in a form that made interest appear as something else, something that escaped the suspicions naturally attracted to lending at interest when it dared to travel under its own name. John Lorenc understands what is going on in John of Freiburg’s treatment of usury in terms of his societal role as “an organic intellectual.” In Gramsci’s theory, such figures operate in close association with economic classes and serve them by articulating their interests by means of which to form an aggregate of people into a class unity, an historical actor, by identifying for them a corporate economic and political interest and agenda. These classes in turn are the real agents of change in history, or so the story goes. Here again we see communities/institutions/classes as concrete historical actors in association with but also contrasting to individual human actors.
It strikes me that the processes by which individuals deliberate about what to do and then actually act to do one thing or another can help us understand how corporate entities deliberate and act, but only by analogy and only up to a point. One can press the analogy only so far, for a human being, unless he or she is suffering from multiple personality syndrome does not have distinct and irreducible actors together constituting the individual as deliberator and/or actor. Corporate entities like communities, institutions, or classes however have any number of actors who deliberate and act individually and corporately in and with respect to the life of the community, institution or class. The individuals are at one and the same time actors in their own right and part of a community or institution that can also be said to act in its own right.
So how does an institution deliberate and act? How does the institution ICS do that? If one of its actors is the God whom it would serve how does that come to expression in the communal life of the ICS? You can see that my academic obligation within the Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto has sparked a stream of thought about ICS and its present circumstances. It must deliberate and act in the context of a transformed internal community. New leaders are being entrusted as office holders to give leadership to the institution in its life going forward. What will it think about? What will its members talk about? How will it solicit and respond to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in its deliberative processes of discernment? How do the individual actors form together an effective whole? On the cusp of an important change, in its first stages really, I wonder all these things with a palpable sense of anticipation. Anything can happen. Maybe these sorts of questions can focus my attention to these happenings in helpful ways. Whatever the case, discernment and the forging of a way forward in a new situation is definitely on the agenda. And, really, what fun! That is what I am going to focus the ICS portion of my prayer life on in the coming month. I invite you to join me as you will.
For the President,
Bob Sweetman
You see, I currently serve on a PhD thesis committee at the Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. I was asked to provide a formal response to the PhD candidate’s (John Lorenc’s) presentation of his doctoral seminar. He is working on a late thirteenth-century Dominican John of Freiburg and his magnum opus, the Summa confessorum which title can be translated as A Comprehensive Guide to Confessors. John Lorenc finds the Marxist theories of Antonio Gramsci helpful in coming to terms with his thirteenth-century Dominican’s treatment of issues around usury, the practice of charging interest on loans. Something similar to the notion of interest (something licit) in contrast to usury (something illicit) was starting to emerge by John of Freiburg’s day, but suspicion of greed and other vices still hung heavy over any actual lending of money at interest. Such lending put one at spiritual risk, surely. In John’s day, this ambivalence was palpable; efforts were put into preserving the fact of interest in a form that made interest appear as something else, something that escaped the suspicions naturally attracted to lending at interest when it dared to travel under its own name. John Lorenc understands what is going on in John of Freiburg’s treatment of usury in terms of his societal role as “an organic intellectual.” In Gramsci’s theory, such figures operate in close association with economic classes and serve them by articulating their interests by means of which to form an aggregate of people into a class unity, an historical actor, by identifying for them a corporate economic and political interest and agenda. These classes in turn are the real agents of change in history, or so the story goes. Here again we see communities/institutions/classes as concrete historical actors in association with but also contrasting to individual human actors.
It strikes me that the processes by which individuals deliberate about what to do and then actually act to do one thing or another can help us understand how corporate entities deliberate and act, but only by analogy and only up to a point. One can press the analogy only so far, for a human being, unless he or she is suffering from multiple personality syndrome does not have distinct and irreducible actors together constituting the individual as deliberator and/or actor. Corporate entities like communities, institutions, or classes however have any number of actors who deliberate and act individually and corporately in and with respect to the life of the community, institution or class. The individuals are at one and the same time actors in their own right and part of a community or institution that can also be said to act in its own right.
So how does an institution deliberate and act? How does the institution ICS do that? If one of its actors is the God whom it would serve how does that come to expression in the communal life of the ICS? You can see that my academic obligation within the Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto has sparked a stream of thought about ICS and its present circumstances. It must deliberate and act in the context of a transformed internal community. New leaders are being entrusted as office holders to give leadership to the institution in its life going forward. What will it think about? What will its members talk about? How will it solicit and respond to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in its deliberative processes of discernment? How do the individual actors form together an effective whole? On the cusp of an important change, in its first stages really, I wonder all these things with a palpable sense of anticipation. Anything can happen. Maybe these sorts of questions can focus my attention to these happenings in helpful ways. Whatever the case, discernment and the forging of a way forward in a new situation is definitely on the agenda. And, really, what fun! That is what I am going to focus the ICS portion of my prayer life on in the coming month. I invite you to join me as you will.
For the President,
Bob Sweetman
Prayer Letter: November 2012
Thursday, November 1: Senior Member Shannon Hoff will be presenting a paper in Rochester. We ask God to bless Shannon and everyone attending this conference.
Friday, November 2: Cal Seerveld will be speaking tonight at the 40th anniversary celebration of IMAGO. We pray for blessings for Cal and for all who attend this event.
Junior Member Tricia Vandyk will be presenting a paper in Sioux Centre today. We ask God to bless Tricia and all who attend this conference.
Monday, November 5: John Underwood, the grandfather of CPRSE's Associate Director Allyson Carr, recently had a bad fall and was hospitalized with considerable complications. He is home now, and Allyson asks for prayers of thanksgiving that he is home again as well as continued prayers for his full recovery.
Tuesday, November 6: We ask for God's blessing on those who are planning the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 28. We pray for energy and enthusiasm for all who are involved.
Wednesday, November 7: The Faculty meets today. We pray for God's wisdom to guide this meeting.
Thursday, November 8: We offer prayers of gratitude and give thanks to you, our many supporters who have presented ICS with gifts of prayer, money, and expressions of appreciation. We are constantly blessed with your interest and support.
Friday, November 9: On Sunday we observe Remembrance Day in Canada. We are reminded of the wars that continue to rage and the soldiers and civilians who continue to suffer around the world. We pray for peace.
Monday, November 12: We offer prayers of praise for the talents of ICS alumna and artist Janet Read who is exhibiting her new paintings in Aurora this month.
Tuesday, November 13: We ask God to bless Senior Member Ron Kuipers as he continues his work as Director of our Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics.
Wednesday, November 14: The Academic Council meets this afternoon. We ask for God’s wisdom to guide this meeting.
Thursday, November 15: 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.
Friday, November 16: We offer prayers of praise and gratitude for the talents of Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart, and Junior Members Dr. Allyson Carr, Matthew Klaassen and Ronnie Shuker, as the book they have edited, Truth Matters: Knowledge, Politics, Ethics, Religion, will soon be published.
Junior Member Jeffrey Hocking will be presenting a paper in Chicago tomorrow. We ask God to bless Jeff and all who attend this conference.
Monday, November 19: Today we ask for God's help for those who are struggling with cancer and other illnesses. We pray for strength, patience and for good results from treatment.
Tuesday, November 20: We continue to pray for blessings and energy for ICS President, Chris Gort, as he manages his many responsibilities and provides ICS with such excellent leadership.
Wednesday, November 21: The Leadership Team meets today. We pray for God's blessing and guidance to lead their discussions and decisions.
Thursday, November 22: Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Pray for safe travel for those who are going to join their families and friends for this holiday. On this day, let us reflect on God's grace and give thanks for family and friends.
Friday, November 23: Many of our Junior Members are working on their their Masters and PhD thesis projects. We pray for our Junior Members and ask that they will have time, concentration, and wisdom.
Monday, November 26: We ask God to bless the Rev. Dr. Thomas Wolthuis and Ms. Dawn Wolthuis who have been appointed to the position of President of the Institute for Christian Studies. We pray for energy and a smooth transition.
Tuesday, November 27: As the fall semester draws to a close, we ask God for energy and wisdom for all our Junior Members who are working hard in their courses and for a sense of balance as they deal with families and jobs as well. We pray too that student jobs will be found where they are needed.
Wednesday, November 28: The Interfaculty Colloquium will be held this afternoon. We pray for God's blessing on all participants, and for good and positive insights that will further important academic work.
This afternoon ICS will hold its Annual General Meeting, where members will elect new Board members and conduct the annual required business for ICS. We are extremely grateful for our committed and hard working Board members. Please pray for wisdom and guidance at this meeting.
Thursday, November 29: We offer prayers of thanks for all the hard work done by the outgoing Board members. We ask God for wisdom and energy for the incoming Board members.
Friday, November 30: The season of Advent begins this weekend. We pray for God's blessings as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Friday, November 2: Cal Seerveld will be speaking tonight at the 40th anniversary celebration of IMAGO. We pray for blessings for Cal and for all who attend this event.
Junior Member Tricia Vandyk will be presenting a paper in Sioux Centre today. We ask God to bless Tricia and all who attend this conference.
Monday, November 5: John Underwood, the grandfather of CPRSE's Associate Director Allyson Carr, recently had a bad fall and was hospitalized with considerable complications. He is home now, and Allyson asks for prayers of thanksgiving that he is home again as well as continued prayers for his full recovery.
Tuesday, November 6: We ask for God's blessing on those who are planning the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 28. We pray for energy and enthusiasm for all who are involved.
Wednesday, November 7: The Faculty meets today. We pray for God's wisdom to guide this meeting.
Thursday, November 8: We offer prayers of gratitude and give thanks to you, our many supporters who have presented ICS with gifts of prayer, money, and expressions of appreciation. We are constantly blessed with your interest and support.
Friday, November 9: On Sunday we observe Remembrance Day in Canada. We are reminded of the wars that continue to rage and the soldiers and civilians who continue to suffer around the world. We pray for peace.
Monday, November 12: We offer prayers of praise for the talents of ICS alumna and artist Janet Read who is exhibiting her new paintings in Aurora this month.
Tuesday, November 13: We ask God to bless Senior Member Ron Kuipers as he continues his work as Director of our Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics.
Wednesday, November 14: The Academic Council meets this afternoon. We ask for God’s wisdom to guide this meeting.
Thursday, November 15: 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.
Friday, November 16: We offer prayers of praise and gratitude for the talents of Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart, and Junior Members Dr. Allyson Carr, Matthew Klaassen and Ronnie Shuker, as the book they have edited, Truth Matters: Knowledge, Politics, Ethics, Religion, will soon be published.
Junior Member Jeffrey Hocking will be presenting a paper in Chicago tomorrow. We ask God to bless Jeff and all who attend this conference.
Monday, November 19: Today we ask for God's help for those who are struggling with cancer and other illnesses. We pray for strength, patience and for good results from treatment.
Tuesday, November 20: We continue to pray for blessings and energy for ICS President, Chris Gort, as he manages his many responsibilities and provides ICS with such excellent leadership.
Wednesday, November 21: The Leadership Team meets today. We pray for God's blessing and guidance to lead their discussions and decisions.
Thursday, November 22: Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Pray for safe travel for those who are going to join their families and friends for this holiday. On this day, let us reflect on God's grace and give thanks for family and friends.
Friday, November 23: Many of our Junior Members are working on their their Masters and PhD thesis projects. We pray for our Junior Members and ask that they will have time, concentration, and wisdom.
Monday, November 26: We ask God to bless the Rev. Dr. Thomas Wolthuis and Ms. Dawn Wolthuis who have been appointed to the position of President of the Institute for Christian Studies. We pray for energy and a smooth transition.
Tuesday, November 27: As the fall semester draws to a close, we ask God for energy and wisdom for all our Junior Members who are working hard in their courses and for a sense of balance as they deal with families and jobs as well. We pray too that student jobs will be found where they are needed.
Wednesday, November 28: The Interfaculty Colloquium will be held this afternoon. We pray for God's blessing on all participants, and for good and positive insights that will further important academic work.
This afternoon ICS will hold its Annual General Meeting, where members will elect new Board members and conduct the annual required business for ICS. We are extremely grateful for our committed and hard working Board members. Please pray for wisdom and guidance at this meeting.
Thursday, November 29: We offer prayers of thanks for all the hard work done by the outgoing Board members. We ask God for wisdom and energy for the incoming Board members.
Friday, November 30: The season of Advent begins this weekend. We pray for God's blessings as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Jeffrey Hocking in Hamilton
Jeffrey Hocking will serve as a respondent and chair two sessions of the Canadian Evangelical Theological Association's (CETA) New Voices conference to be held at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton on Saturday, October 20th. ICS alumnus J. Richard Middleton serves as the president of CETA and Brian Walsh, Christian Reformed Minister at the University of Toronto and ICS graduate (MPhil), will be the keynote speaker at this conference. For further information please visit www.macdiv.ca/ceta
Monday, 15 October 2012
Art Talks! 2012
This past Saturday, October 13th, the 2012 Art Talks! event “Imagination’s Truths” was held at the Isabel Bader Theatre. A wonderful lecture by renowned professor and public intellectual Richard Kearney opened the day, and the discussion following it was very engaged. It ranged over such topics as how stories can be part of the transformative healing of intergenerational trauma, and the ethics involved in using stories—are they transforming or deforming? The panel discussion with Professor Kearney, Mark Knight of the U of T English department, writer Anne Michaels and ICS’ own Ron Kuipers was equally engaging, covering the ways stories are used in public contexts such as films, and what Dr. Kearney named a “universal ethic of hospitality toward the stranger.” The day concluded with an evening performance of selections from the 66 Books Project and Ins Choi’s Subway Stations of the Cross.
We hope to be able to post the full lecture and panel discussion on YouTube soon, so keep an eye open for details!
We hope to be able to post the full lecture and panel discussion on YouTube soon, so keep an eye open for details!
New Video: Bob Sweetman "Why We Don’t Join Institutions Anymore"
Bob Sweetman's address to the 2008 ICS Worldview Conference is now available for viewing on YouTube. Links to both the paper and the video can be found in our Research Portal.
http://ics-edu-research.blogspot.ca/2012/08/why-we-dont-join-institutions-anymore.html.
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