A Summer Whirlwind!
Welcome to The SoderBlurb, my bi-weekly (Lord willing) compilation of random thoughts based on what I’m reading, teaching, or thinking about, with occasional updates on our crazy life!
Life - Summer Travel
This has been one for the books! I traveled to South Carolina/Atlanta for the Davenant Institute’s annual Convivium. I took along son #3, Lewis, to celebrate his 16th birthday, so we got to spend time together hearing smart people discussing theology and then visiting attractions in the Atlanta area. We visited the Atlanta Aquarium (2nd time there, and one of my favorite places!) and also got to see Stone Mountain for the first time. Since Lewis basically grew up in the South (in NC), we also went on a “Southern Food Pilgrimage,” hitting as many of our old favorite restaurants as possible: Cook Out, Bojangles, and, of course, Chic fil A.
Then, it was off to the Netherlands with my daughter, to the annual gathering of PhD students at my alma mater, the VU-Amsterdam. I, and a couple of other recent doctoral graduates, were asked to give a panel discussion about how to actually finish a PhD dissertation, and what to do afterwards. It was wonderful to re-connect with other researches, as well as my PhD advisers. I will miss my trips to the Netherlands—hope to visit again someday soon!
[With one of my PhD advisers, Prof. Dr. Wim Janse, by the statue of Abraham Kuyper, the amazingly prolific Reformed pastor/author/politician who started the VU-Amsterdam.]
Our next adventure was a family trip to Port Angeles, WA, where my wife grew up, and the Pacific Coast. This was our kids’ first trip to their mother’s old stomping grounds and it was their first experience is REAL mountains! As our daughter said: “I didn’t know places like this actually existed.” We had a fantastic time exploring tide pools, running along logs on the beach, and trying to start a fire on the extremely windy beach—which added an interesting sandy texture to the hot dogs we roasted.
After a couple weeks at home (including an anniversary celebrating 20 years of marriage to my amazing wife!), I traveled to Liberia, Africa, to teach and intensive church history course at Grace Life Seminary, with TLI (Training Leaders International).
Thanks to the generosity of so many people, I was able to invest in the life and ministry of faithful brothers who are serving the Lord in difficult circumstances. Liberia has been through a lot—decades of civil war, Ebola, and continuing challenges with government. But, the church is on the front lines of lasting change, and I was encouraged by God’s faithfulness to his people throughout the world. If you are interested in supporting the work there, consider supporting the ministry of Ryan Currie and his family. The Curries moved there so Ryan could serve as the Academic Dean of the seminary. There is a long list of needs, including basic things like electricity (they are dependent on generators). I have never appreciated a hot shower so much as after that trip and two weeks of cold bucket showers! We are so blessed here in the US—we need to share that blessing with others.
1)Go to: trainingleadersinternational.org/give
2) Select “Global Partners” in the Gift Preference
3) Enter Ryan Currie in the “Global Partner Box”
[The class I taught in Liberia, with 2 other instructors.]
After 4 flights, and over 30 hours of travel, I made it back home. After a few days, I took son #2 to the Oregon Coast to celebrate his 18th birthday. We explored Astoria, Long Beach, WA, and several beaches on the Oregon Coast. It was great to spend time with him, and discuss issues related to growing as a man.
Whew! This summer broke our budget, but we made memories together that will last a lifetime.
TEACHING
Logos Online School
I’m excited to start year 2 with LOS! I’ll be teaching a few sections of both Integrated Humanities 3 (Medieval & Reformation) & 4 (Modern World), as well as a section of Apologetics. The Humanities courses combine classics of theology, history, literature, and philosophy. I love these classes because they keep me on my toes, and I’m learning so much along with the students. There’s still time to sign up for these classes!
Reading & Writing
Economics
I’m really enjoying Esther Chung-Kim’s book Economics of Faith. I’m reviewing this for the journal Faith and Economics (confusing, I know!). Chung-Smith shows that care for the poor was a central part of the Reformation. Here’s a summary:
The Protestant imperative to accept the gift of grace by faith for salvation and the definition of vocation that put value on all types of work, both religious and mundane, gave greater support to the idea that poverty was a social evil rather than an ascetic ideal; hence new theological interpretations supported the efforts to alleviate or eliminate poverty. The earliest Protestant reformers did not dismiss caring for the poor; on the contrary, they sought to reform charity. As part of the reform of church and society, ministers and magistrates saw the institutions of poor relief as an important way to reform cities and to address the continuous problem of poverty in both urban and rural areas. Luther continually urged believers to defend the poor and to protect them in their vulnerability.
While Protestant reformers were not the first to promote centralized distribution of poor relief or anti-begging ordinances, they became the public champions of poor relief reform by making it an essential part of their reform movement. They saw poverty alleviation as a necessary byproduct of the new Reformation teaching about the priority of faith (30-31).
Commonplaces from What I’m Reading
“"Love to God bubbles up in every act of faith." (Stephen Charnock, "The Subjects of the Lord's Supper," 456).
"A proud faith is as great a contradiction as an humble devil." (Stephen Charnock, "The Subjects of the Lord's Supper," 456).
See you in two weeks!