My top books of 2011

My top books of 2011 - in no particular order:

Jason Zuidema (ed.) Reformational Thought in Canada: Essay in Honour of Theodore Plantinga

Bert Cusveller, Maarten Verkerk and Marc de Vries The Matrix Reformed

Richard Mouw Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction

Abraham Kuyper Wisdom and Wonder

Geoff Hall The Cultural Way of Being

Ernst Conradie Creation and salvation: Dialogue on Abraham Kuyper's Legacy for Contemporary Ecotheology

Mike Goheen A Light to the Nations

Michael P. Schutt Redeeming Law [technically this was released in 2007 but I read it in 2011 so it makes the list - it's my blog and my rules :) ]

James K. A. Smith Letters to a Young Calvinist

Tom Nelson Work Matters [review to come shortly]

Anthony Tol Philosophy in the Making

Jonathan Chaplin Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher of State and Civil Society

Robert A. Wauzzinski Ruth: The Story of God’s Unending Redemption

Best books of 2009
Best books of 2008

The Matrix Reformed

The Matrix Reformed
Science Fiction, Technology and Christian Philosophy
Bert Cusveller, Maarten Verkerk and Marc de Vries
Dordt College Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-932914-90-3

This book is a translation of the Dutch De Matrix Code. The Wachowski's 1999 film The Matrix has been responsible for a whole cottage industry of books. These include books that deal with the philosophical issues such as Christopher Grau (ed.) Philosophers Explore the Matrix OUP, 2005), William Irwin (ed.) The Matrix and Philosophy (Open Court, 2002) and More Matrix and Philosophy (Open Court 2005), Matt Lawrence Like a Splinter in Your Mind (Blackwell, 2004) Glenn Yeffeth (ed.) Taking the Red Pill (Benbella, 2003) and books which use the film to explore Christian themes such as  Steve Couch (ed) Matrix Revolutions (Damaris, 2003), Gregory Boyd and Al Larson Escaping the Matrix and Chris Seay and Chris Garrett The Gospel Reloaded (Pinon Press, 2003).

And now we have this volume. Is there room for another one? For one as good as this book - undoubtedly! This one is head and shoulders above the rest. It takes seriously film, science fiction, technology and philosophy. But not only that it provides an excellent introduction to a Christian philosophy. But it doesn't do it in a superficial, icing on the cake or WWJD approach.

The Matrix raises many of the perennial philosophical problems such as the nature of reality, freedom or determinism, machines and moral judgments. These are dealt with in this book in a clear and concise manner. They examine how the issues are raised in the film, they then look at how the issues have been dealt with in philosophy looking at philosophers such as Plato, Descartes, Dennett, Putnam, Heidegger. They expose how unsatisfactory such approaches have been and then develop a Christian approach to the issues. They do it in a way that is accessible and illuminating.

The book then works on a number of different levels: it is a great discussion of film in general, The Matrix in particular and other science fiction films (mentioned alongside The Matrix are Star Wars, Star Trek, Total Recall, Minority Report, Simone, Final Cut and many more); it acts a primer on philosophy and on Christian philosophy.

This book will undoubtably be of value to anyone studying media or philosophy and to anyone who has seen the film!

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper ...

And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn't do it any better.

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.

'What's your life's blueprint?' Martin Luther King, Jr.

[HT Tom Nelson]

The Kuyper Newsletter vol 1 (3) October 1980

Kuyper Newsletter 1 (3) October 1980

[HT @maggidawn]

Review of Quantum Leap by Nelson and Giberson

QUANTUM LEAP: How John Polkinghorne Found God in Science and Religion
Dean Nelson and Karl Giberson.

Oxford, UK: Lion Monarch, 2011.

192 pages. Paperback; $14.99.

ISBN: 9780745954011.



Readers of this journal [Perspectives of Science and Christian Faith] will need no introduction to John Polkinghorne. He is the author of over thirty books on science and faith, including an autobiography; so it was with some surprise that I discovered this new biography. This, however, is no traditional biography. Nelson and Giberson attempt to “tell the story of Polkinghorne, and along the way … unfold some bigger issues” (p. 7).


We are presented with the life of Polkinghorne, from his birth in 1930, the death of his brother during World War II, his education at Trinity College, Cambridge, his career in particle physics, through the ordination process in the Anglican Church, to parish life in Kent, and back to academia in Cambridge. In between this, we are introduced to many of the key ideas of Polkinghorne. These include the relationship of science and faith, the nature of reality, the resurrection of Jesus, the role of prayer, miracles, the problem of suffering and pain, and life after death.


As I read, I kept getting a sense of déjà vu. There is little or no new material here, but what we have is a well-constructed summary of Polkinghorne’s books interspersed with biographical details. Interviews have been conducted with Polkinghorne of which we have a few extracts, but the majority is material gleaned and edited from Polkinghorne’s writings. This is a strength of the book; it provides a good introduction to Polkinghorne. It is also its weakness as it provides no new information or insight.


Unfortunately, there is a tendency toward the hagiographic—very little or no criticism of Polkinghorne is presented. This is a shame as some of Polkinghorne’s views will be controversial to many Christians, particularly his view of post-mortem salvation. The strength of this approach is that the authors let Polkinghorne “speak” for himself; the weakness is that we are left wondering what Nelson and Giberson’s views are.


At times, what is presented here is a rationalistic, almost evidentialistic, view of Polkinghorne. This is even suggested by the book’s subtitle, “How John Polkinghorne Found God in Science and Religion.” It seems to imply that we find God, rather than that he finds us: “it’s the evidence that leads a physicist to believe in the equations, and it’s the evidence that leads a person of faith to believe in God” (p. 183).


This well-written book will provide an amuse-bouche or a taster into the life and work of Polkinghorne. It is strong on description but weak on evaluation. The book is not aimed at readers of this journal who have thought through issues of the integration of science and faith; rather, it is aimed at those who think that being a Christian and a scientist involves “intellectual suicide,” or is as logical as being a “vegetarian butcher” to use Polkinghorne’s phrase. There are five pages of endnotes, but no index and no list of Polkinghorne’s books.


For those who want to know more about Polkinghorne’s life, I suggest obtaining a copy of his autobiography From Physicist to Priest. For more on his view of the interaction of science and faith, a good first place is his Quarks, Chaos and Christianity and then his Reason and Reality.



This review first appeared in Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Dec 2011 available on-line here.

The Kuyper Newsletter vol 1(2) June 1980

Kuyper Newsletter 1 (2) June 1980

Q & A with Richard Mouw

Q&A with Richard Mouw from Redeemer Video on Vimeo.

Kuyper Newsletter 1 (1) January 1980

Job advert: Faith-in-scholarship

Do you believe that God calls people to all kinds of academic work and study? Are you excited by the potential of highly- educated Christians to transform culture in unique ways – both inside and outside the university?

WYSOCS is looking for a dynamic advocate of biblical worldviews to work with campus-based Christian postgraduate students’ groups in the north of England. The new support worker will liaise with student leaders, academics, local churches and chaplaincies to foster creative engagement with all kinds of disciplines and topics from a Christian perspective.

If you:
•    have a postgraduate degree (preferably PhD or equivalent)
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• have a vision for Christians transforming culture in the UK and overseas
•    communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
•    are self-motivated and enjoy working independently then WYSOCS wants to hear from you.

Please email Richard Gunton at lifematters@wysocs.org.uk.

This post is initially offered for one year on a part-time basis (1 or 2
days a week, to be agreed with the successful applicant).

Closing date: 31 January 2012

For more information, see www.wysocs.org.uk/faith-in-scholarship.php.

WYSOCS (the West Yorkshire School of Christian Studies) has 25 years’ experience helping Christians explore the power of faith in learning about every aspect of life.
A registered charity (no. 271987), it currently employs two part-time staff in Leeds.

Resources for a Christian approach to (school) education

Badley, Ken and Harro Van Brummelen 2012. Metaphors We Teach By: How Metaphors Shape What We Do in Classrooms. Wipf and Stock.

Bandstra, Alan 2014. Beyond Control: Heart-Centered Classroom Climate and Discipline. Sioux Center, IA: Dordt College Press.

BavinckHerman  2008.  Essays on Religion, Science, and Society. Edited by John Bolt. Translated by Boonstra Harry and Gerrit Sheeres. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 

Beech, Geoff 2015. Christians as Teachers. What it Might look Like? Wipf and Stock.

Berkhof,  Louis and Cornelius Van Til 1990. Foundations of Christian Education: Addresses to Teachers. (Ed. D.E. Johnson) Philipsburg: P&R. (Taken from Jaarsma, 1953)

Blomberg, Doug 1978. The Development of the curriculum with relation to the philosophy of the cosmonomic idea. PhD Thesis. University of Sydney.

Blomberg, Doug 1999. 'An "epistemology of teaching"'. Philosophia Reformata 64: 1-14.

Blomberg, Doug 2007. Wisdom and Curriculum: Christian Schooling After Postmodernity. Sioux Center, IA: Dordt College Press.

Blomberg, Doug and Ian Lambert (eds.) Reminding: Renewing the Mind in Learning. Sydney: Centre for the Study of Australian Christianity

Brederveld, Jakob. 1928. Christian Education: A Summary and Critical Discussion of Bavinck’s Pedagogical Principles. Grand Rapids, MI: Smitter.

Bussema, Ken 1984. "Developmental considerations for a theory of instruction." Pro Rege 13 1:2-16 

Bussema, Ken 1993. "Perspectives on developmental psychology." Pro Rege 22 1:1-8. 

Cooling, Trevor & Margaret Cooling, 2013. Distinctively Christian learning? Cambridge: Grove Books.

Cooling, Trevor 1994. A Christian Vision for State Education, SPCK.

Cooling, Trevor 2010. Called to Teach: Teaching as a Mission Vocation,  Grove Books. 

De Boer, Peter. 1983. Shifts in Curricular Theory for Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Calvin College Monograph.

de Muynck, Bram,  Johan Hegeman and Pieter Vos (editors) 2011. Bridging the Gap: Connecting Christian Faith and Professional Practice. Dordt College Press/ IAPCHE.

DeBoer, Peter (ed.) 1993. Educating Christian Teachers for Responsive Discipleship. University Press of America.

DeGraaf, Arnold 1968. The Educational Ministry of the Church. Craig Press

DeGraaf, Arnold and Jim Olthius (editors) 1973. Joy in Learning: An Integrated Curriculum for Elementary School. Toronto: Curriculum Development Centre.

DeJong, Norman (ed). 1984. Christian Approaches to Learning Theory. Lanham, Md: University Press of America.

Edlin, Richard J. 2014. The Cause of Christian Education (4th edition) Sioux Center, IO: Dordt College Press.

Edlin, Richard J.and J. Ireland (eds.), 2006. Engaging the Culture: Christians at work in education. Blacktown, NSW: National Institute for Christian Education.

Fennema, Jack 1978. Nurturing Children in the Lord: A Study Guide for Teachers on Developing a Biblical Approach to Discipline. Philipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed.

Fennema, Jack 2005. The religious nature and Biblical nurture of God's children: A guide for parents and teachers. Sioux Center, IA: Dordt College Press. 

Fowler, Stuart 1987. Christian Educational Distinctives. Potchefstroom: Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. 

Fowler, Stuart et al. 1990. Christian Schooling: Education for Freedom. Potchefstroom: Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.

Fowler, Stuart, Rationality, Certainty and Education. African Journal for Transformational Scholarship. 1(2)

Fowler, Stuart, The Foundations of Christian Education. African Journal for Transformational Scholarship 2(1)

Glanzer Perry L. and Nathan F. Alleman 2019. The Outrageous Idea of Christian Teaching. Oxford: Oxford university Press.

Gousmett, Chris 1997. Education in God's World,

Graham, Donovan 2009. Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth into Your Classroom. (2nd edn) Colorado Springs: Purposeful Design.

Greene Jr. Albert E. 2003. Reclaiming the Future of Christian Education, Purposeful Design Publications; 2nd edition.

Habl, Jan 2011. Lessons in Humanity: from the life and work of Jan Amos Comenius. VKW.

Hull, John 1993. Christian Education and the Deep Structure of Schooling. Doctoral thesis. University of Toronto.

Hull, John E.  2023. Education for Hope: A Course Correction. Friessen Press

Hulst, John B 2009. Building a Worldwide Network: IAPCHE 1975-2002. Dordt College Press.  

Hulst, John B 2012. Christian Education: Issues of the Day. Sioux Center: Dordt Press

Hulst, John B. 1987. "Creativity in Christian education." Pro Rege 16 (2):15-22.

Jaarsma, Cornelius Richard. (ed.) 1953. Fundamentals in Christian Education: Theory and Practice. Eerdmans.

Jaarsma, Cornelius Richard. 1935. The Educational Philosophy of Herman Bavinck: A Textbook in Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing company.

Joldersma, C.W. & Stronks, G.G. (eds.) (2004). Nicholas Wolterstorff. Educating for shalom. Essays on Christian Higher Education. Grand Rapids/Cambridge, UK: Eerdmans.

Kuyper, Abraham 2019. On Education. Lexham Press.

Lambert, Ian and Suzanne Mitchell (eds.) 1997. The Crumbling Walls of Certainty:Towards a Christian Critique of Postmodernity and Education.  Sydney: Centre for the Study of Australian Christianity.

Lambert, Ian and Suzanne Mitchell (eds.) Reclaiming the Future: Australian Perspectives on Christian Schooling. Sydney: Centre for the Study of Australian Christianity.

Latinga Nick (editor) 2008. Christian Higher Education in the Global Context. Dordt College Press/ IAPCHE. 

Hollaar, Lee 1994. "Christian education: Yesterday's dream, today's experience, tomorrow's vision." Pro Rege 23(1):18-26. 

MacKenzie, Pam et al. 1997. Entry Points for Christian Education. London: Care for Education. 

Mechielsen, Jack (ed.) 1980. No Icing on the Cake: Christian Foundations for Education Brookes-Hall. 

Miedema, S. 2009. Nicholas P. Wolterstorff’s Philosophy of Education: Christian, Open and Critically Committed. Journal of Christian Education, os-52(1), 23–32.

Newell, Ted 2019. Education: A Student's Guide. Series edited by David S. Dockery. Crossway Books.

Oppewal, Donald (ed). 1992. Voices from the Past – Reformed Educators. Grand Rapids: Calvin College Press.

Palmer, Parker J. 1983. To Know As We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Peetoom, Adrian  1993. “From Mythology to Mythology: Dutch-Canadian Orthodox-Calvinist Immigrants and Their Schools.” Master’s Thesis, University of Toronto.

Prinsen, Peter 2000. “That Old Dutch Disease: The Roots of Dutch Calvinist’s Education in Alberta,” PhD Thesis. University of Alberta.

Roques, Mark  1989. Curriculum Unmasked: Towards a Christian Understanding of Education. Monarch.

Roques, mark and Steve Bishop 2022. Stewardship Epistemology. Findings 2

Russell, Richard 1999. History of educational theory and practice: turning points Bridgehead for Education.

Sandsmark, Signe 2000. Is World View Neutral Education Possible and Desirable? A Christian Response to Liberal Arguments. Carlisle: Paternoster Press.

Sewell, Keith2000. Reformed or Evangelical? A Question for Christian Higher Education. Association for Christian Higher Education in Australia.

Shortt, John 1991. Towards a Reformed Epistemology and its Educational Significance.  PhD Thesis. University of London Institute of Education. http://www.forthosewhoteach.org/my-phd-thesis/

Shortt, John and Trevor Cooling 1997. Agenda for Educational Change Apollos.

Smith, David I. 2001. Does God dwell in the detail? The daily grind of Christian teaching, lecture 2001.

Smith, David I. 2003. Biblical Teaching. Christian School Teacher, Spring 2003.

Smith, David I. and James K. A. Smith (editors) 2011. Teaching and Christian Practices: Reshaping Faith and Learning. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Smith, David I., 2018. On Christian Teaching – Practicing faith in the classroom. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Smith, David I.and John Shortt, 2002. The Bible and the Task of Teaching Stapleford Centre. Online: http://www.forthosewhoteach.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Btt-Whole-Book.pdf

Spears Paul D. and Steven R. Loomis 2009.  Education for Human Flourishing. (Christian Worldview Integration Series). Downers Grove: IVP Academic.

Steensma, Geraldine 1971. To Those Who Teach: Keys for Decision Making. Signal Mountain, TN: Signal.

Steensma, Geraldine J. and Harro W. Van Brummelen 1977. Shaping School Curriculum: A Biblical View Signal.

Stronks, Gloria & Clarence Joldersma (ed.) Educating for Life: Reflections on Christian Teaching and Learning. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002

Stronks, Gloria 1995. "Myths and realities in Christian education." Pro Rege 23 (3):1-10. 

Stronks, Gloria and Doug Blomberg, 1993. A Vision with a Task: Christian Schooling for Responsible Discipleship Baker.

Thiessen, Elmer John 2001. In Defence of Religious Schools and Colleges. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.

Van Brummelen, Harro  1995. Stirring heart and mind: Teaching for Biblical values. Pro Rege 23( 3):11-18. 

Van Brummelen, Harro 1986. Telling the Next Generation: Educational  Development in North American Calvinist Schools University Press of America/ Institute for Christian Studies.

Van Brummelen, Harro 2002. Steppingstones to Curriculum: A Biblical Path. Colorado Springs: Purposeful Design.

Van Brummelen, Harro, 1992. Walking with God in the Classroom. Burlington, Ont: Welch. 

van der Laan H. 1979. Out of Concern for the Christian School. PUvCHO, Potchefstroom (Series F)

Van Dyk, John  2000. The Craft of Christian Teaching: A Classroom Journey. Sioux Center: Dordt College Press. 

Van Dyk, John  2007. The Maplewood Story: Fostering a Reflective Culture in the Christian School. Dordt College Press. 

Van Dyk, John 1997. Letters to Lisa. Sioux Center: Dordt Press.

Van Nierk 2000. Belief and education: the role of religious ground motives in the history of education

Vriend, John et al. 1972. To Prod the “Slumbering Giant”: Crisis, Commitment, and Christian Education. Toronto: Wedge.

Vryhof Stephen C. 20014. Between Memory and Vision: The Case for Faith-Based Schooling. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Wolterstorff, Nicholas 1980. Educating for Responsible Action. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Websites:
Transfoming lives
Called to teach
Kuyers
John Shortt
Transforming Teachers

Organisations:
http://www.christian-teachers.org.uk/
http://www.stapleford-centre.org/
http://www.nice.edu.au/
EurECA
Association of Christian Schools International

Journals
Journal of Education and Christian Belief
Christian School Education
Journal of Christian Education
A Journal of the International Christian Community for Teacher Education






Update(s):


Here are a few suggestions regarding Herman Bavinck’s Reformed educational philosophy:

Essays on Religion, Science, and Society. Edited by John Bolt. Translated by Harry Boonstra and Gerrit Sheeres. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

See the essays on "Trends in Pedagogy" and "Classical Education," chs. 12 and 13, respectively.
(NB: This book is a translation of Bavinck’s Verzamelde opstellen op het gebied van godsdienst en wetenschap (Kampen: Kok, 1921).)

Brederveld, Jakob. Christian Education: A Summary and Critical Discussion of Bavinck’s Pedagogical Principles. Grand Rapids, MI: Smitter, 1928.

Jaarsma, Cornelius Richard. The Educational Philosophy of Herman Bavinck: A Textbook in Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing company, 1935.

Nicholas Wolterstorff:

• Educating for Life: Reflections on Christian Teaching and Learning
• Educating for Responsible Action
• Educating for Shalom

Harro van Brummelen, Telling the Next Generation: Educational  Development in North American Calvinist Schools University Press of America/ Institute for Christian Studies, 1986

Thanks to various thinknetters and commentersfor the updated suggestions.