A Glimpse of the Kingdom in Academia: Academic Formation as Radical Discipleship

by Irene Alexander, Charles Ringma (Foreword)

University is a major way that our society prepares professionals and leaders in education, health, government, business, arts, church—all components of our communal lives. Although the beginnings of the first universities were Christian, academia has become more and more adrift from these foundations. We have lost not only the union, the interwovenness of theological and academic understandings, but also the relational and communal process of learning which teaches students to be other-centered in their practice. ''A Glimpse of the Kingdom in Academia'' tells the story of the social sciences department of a small Christian university that took seriously the mandate to prepare their students to be salt and light in a secular society. Here are stories of the transformation in students’ lives, as well as description of classroom practices, and the epistemological theory behind those practices. The book explores academic knowing, Christian worldview, relational epistemology, inner knowing, and wisdom—all ways of knowing that a Christian university should teach. The process of transformation, the context of community, and the bigger picture of life’s journey and changing images of God are identified as important aspects of kingdom life in academia. The institutional setting is also critiqued with the recognition that power practices need to align with the kingdom of the Christ who emptied himself. “This book is an invitation to another way of seeing, but it is also dense in alternative epistemological sources. . . . This book should be read by all those involved with student learning and administration. It can also be read by any teacher or administrator, school or institution hoping to make learning more open and transformational in any discipline or context.” —Nicola Hoggard Creegan, Lecturer in Theology, Laidlaw College “[This] is not simply a how-to book. It is a book that will move you into a more profound way of reading and entering the gospel story. It is a book marked by a theology of the Kingdom or reign of God and a holistic vision of God’s redemptive and healing purposes for our world. It is a book also shaped by the newer liberation and feminist theologies. Moreover, it is a book marked by profound spirituality. . . . It is my hope that this book will be a precursor of what is to come, that it will point the way for others to take the shape of their life in Christ into the public sphere.” —From the Foreword by Charles Ringma, Emeritus Professor, Regent College Irene Alexander is a psychologist and spiritual director. She lectures at Christian Heritage College and the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, Australia, and in spiritual direction formation. She is the author of several books, including Dancing with Transformation through Relationship (2007) and Practicing the Presence of Jesus (2011).

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2013

Reviews

[Dave McNeely · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're unfamiliar with recent trends in blending piety and higher education, Alexander's contribution is a worthwhile read, particularly as one concrete example of how such an effort looks. If you're familiar with other works, most notably the contributions of James K. A. Smith, this book is a little disappointing. The obvious contribution of Alexander's work is providing a concrete example of some oft-untested ideas applied to an institution of higher education and the classroom. At times, however, Alexander's experiments are not as paradigm-shattering as you might expect.