There is and should be a separation of Church and State, but not of State and God. The government, like the family and the church, is instituted by God. So what is the purpose of government? Does the Bible point us to certain forms of government? Should we always obey the government? How can Paul tell his readers to be subject to all authorities when he’s writing from jail (he obviously didn’t obey somebody). Peter also seemed to think that the Emperor was worthy of honor. Even Nero?
In this election year, how do we Christians love our neighbors well, speak truth into the confusion, and bring peace to bear in the midst of extreme partisanship?
These are the questions that Brian Allred has been addressing in God & Government: Thinking Biblically in an Election Year.
Last Thursday, Indiana Senator John Crane joined us for a conversation about some of these questions and themes. He thoughtful and wise approach to governing and leadership was refreshing, insightful, and evocative. We are already exploring ways to continue working with him.
In addition, we are reading Michael Wear’s The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life to add layers to the content. If you thought you heard an echo of Dallas Willard’s work in the subtitle of Wear’s book, you thought correctly. Both the book and the lecture series are providing fruitful fodder for discussion, reflection, and redemptive political engagement. We’ll let you know when the videos are up. In the meantime, I recommend Wear’s book, as well as another that I recently read along somewhat similar lines—The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves by Alexandra Hudson.
Our Student President Graduates to Director of Operations and Hospitality
Earlier this semester, I introduced you to Ian and Tyler, our student officers. Ian (below, right) is graduating next month and will begin working full time for Alcuin Study Center as our Director of Operations and Hospitality. The grant that we received from the Avis Foundation enables us to fund this 12-month position so as to free me up to work on development.
Ian is a wonderful fit for this position. He is a deep thinker, an avid reader, and a gifted writer, who’s love for people seeps out every pore. If you drop by when he’s here, you’ll be greeted with a wide smile and made to feel at home (and if Ian isn’t here, I’ll try to do the same, but he is honestly much better at it). Ian bleeds the mission of Alcuin and is one of the most eager learners I’ve ever met. He will be living upstairs at the center beginning this summer.
Tyler Williams (below, left) is just finishing up his freshman year. Next year he will take Ian’s place as our student president. He has also bleeds the mission of Alcuin. He recently recited the mission statement from memory and told me that he doesn’t have a conversation on campus in which he doesn’t mention Alcuin Study Center.
Reading Poetry as Counter-Cultural Engagement
A few weeks ago, Ian and Tyler and I set up a table across from Starbucks in the North Dining Hall where we asked students to stop for a few minutes, set down their phones, and let us read poetry to them. In return, we treated them to a cup of coffee. We read Gerard Manley Hopkins’s “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” and “God’s Grandeur.” We read e. e. cummings’s “i thank you God for most this amazing” and “pity this busy monster.” We read “Seven Stanzas at Easter” by John Updike, “How Step by Step We Have Come to Understand” by Miller Williams, “There’s a Certain Slant of Light” by Emily Dickinson, and “All Good Conductors” by Christian Wiman. Each of these poems deals with enduring human questions regarding purpose, meaning, the world, it’s Creator, and our place in it.
The students’ reactions varied, but all were appreciative for the moment to sit, unplug, and be invited to share in the very human experience of listening to poetry read to them. We’re taking the long view, offering strangers the gift of humanity, no strings attached. By doing so, we are building a reputation of being an organization that is generous, thoughtful, and Christian. Sharing poetry and coffee with strangers is one way that we hoping to build relationships on campus as well as fight the popular negative caricature of Christianity so prevalent in our culture.
A Few Final Thoughts
In August, Alcuin Study Center will be four years old. We are continually learning how best to accomplish our mission and goals. Please pray for me as I rework our strategic plan over the next couple of months. We are in a better position than ever to make significant impact on the Ball State campus and community. We are concentrating our focus on student impact by creating regular rhythms in our programming so that engagement at Alcuin becomes routine for students. We are also working with members of Cru, Cardinal Catholic, The Revolution Campus Church, and others to foster unity of Christians on campus. I’d like to ask for prayer for two programs in particular:
Fellows Program. We are revising our Certificate in Christian Thought program and teaming up The Revolution Campus Church to begin a fellows program for students and recent graduates. This will likely include courses on hermeneutics and biblical theology, worldview, ecclesiology, missions & cultural impact, and philosophy. Again, I am in the process of praying through and planning for the Fall semester, so this is very much a work in progress.
Fall Conference. I’ve often said that much of campus ministry could take place at factory that employs 18-24 year olds just as effectively as it does at a University. In other words, much of campus ministry is not concerned with what happens inside the walls of the University. Students learn about things like personal bible study and corporate worship, all of which is very good, but they rarely give consideration to how Christ and their relationship with him should or could impact their academic studies and disciplines. What difference might a Christian bring to the study and application of computer science or architecture? How might they consider justice, mercy, humility, faith, hope, and love as those virtues apply to the actual work they are pursuing?
This is not to disparage the work of campus ministries. They do much good with many students and have limited time and resources. In fact, most campus ministry leaders with whom I’ve spoken agree that this is a need among their students. And so we are working with several campus ministries to plan a one-day fall conference to address the issue of Christians in the Classroom. Please pray for unity of mind and purpose in Christ as we plan this event.
As always, we are extremely grateful for the prayers and support. Alcuin Study Center would not exist if not for your generosity. Thank you!
In Christ, in whom all things hold together,
Dan Daugherty, Executive Director
