Abstracts for Session 4C

“Keeping Time in the Social Sciences: A Pedagogical Experiment with Fixed Hour Prayer and the Liturgical Calendar,” James K. A. Smith (Calvin College)

Abstract
The way we configure time shapes our world. As Charles Taylor has argued, the "secular" time of modernity represents a significant shift from the "higher" times of a sacramental world. This paper reports on experiments with Christian practices of time-keeping (the liturgical calendar, fixed hour prayer) in a course on the philosophy of the social sciences.

“Jesus Christ the Apple Tree: Preparing for Good Friday in a Literature and Environment Course” Deborah Bowen (Redeemer University College)

Abstract
This paper will describe a visit by Christian poet John Terpstra to the final class session (on Maundy Thursday) of my Literature and Environment course, to read his poetry suite on making a cross for his church out of a fruit-tree in an orchard being ploughed under for construction. Terpstra plays on the Stations of the Cross by interweaving the story of his own cross-making with the narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion. The quasi-liturgical event of this reading created a profound stillness in the classroom, generated an animated discussion following, and raised important questions about the relationship of liturgy to classroom.

“Resisting Boredom: Stability, Examen of Consciousness and the Noonday Demon,” R J Snell (Eastern University)

Abstract
The fourth century Egyptian monk Evagrius Ponticus described acedia, the noonday demon, as including dissatisfaction, restlessness and hatred for place, what is sometimes translated as sloth or boredom. In this paper, I explore the possibility, following Wendell Berry and others, that our culture is rooted in a slothful rejection of locale, of place, and that the university is complicit in such a loss. Two practices—Benedictine Stability and Ignatian Examen—provide a corrective and could be incorporated into the university.

Back to Agenda

Abstract for Session 5A

For further information contact:
Seminars @ Calvin
Calvin College
1855 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids MI 49546-4402
616.526.8558
fax 616.526.6682
seminars@calvin.edu