'Letters from Moscow' the Opening & Closing of Russia
An Interdisciplinary Symposium on Faith, Politics & the University in post-Communist Russia
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Be sure to join us in-person or online, Saturday June 10th at 9 am ET @ Faith Oakville for 'Letters from Moscow' - which promises to be a rigorous and faith-filled discussion on the opening and closing of Russian society since the 1990s.
Our symposium opens with the soon-to-be-available “Letters from Moscow” written by Drs. Wendy and Adrian Helleman from their time teaching at Moscow State University (pictured above)in the mid-1990s. The letters are rich and inquisitive; poignant in their capture of a brief period where new freedoms and openness post-perestroika, seemed possible. 'Letters from Moscow' reveal their authors as keen observers and demonstrate the very heart of the GSC Vision and Mission - where gifted Christian professors in the classroom may be revealed as students, too.
Our 'Letters from Moscow' Symposium then moves to wider and more recent political, ideological, and religious cultural shifts that have brought the country to its more isolated situation today.
Join GSC's original Scholars, Wendy and Adrian Helleman along with special guests, Global Scholar, Dr. David Koyzis, Dr. Jim Payton and the Reverend Dr. Andrey Kordochkin(via Zoom from Spain) as we discuss and debate a topic that is critically important to geo-political and Christian movements around the world. Dr. Peter Schuurman as Moderator, will welcome, invite and encourage your continued support of the important work of GSC, begun nearly three decades ago, in a Russia that looked far different than it does today.
More information/details to come via separate email invitation - soon! Watch for it and save the date.
'THE PROXIMITY OF HUMAN DIFFERENCE'
BY DR. ANDREW BARRON
'The Proximity of Human Difference': Care and Receiving...
by Global Scholar, Dr. Andrew Barron I am the child of Jewish parents. It was in New York City during the 1960's that I learned that being Jewish was a special calling and that we were chosen. I was initially not sure what that meant or what I...
'Gorbachev, Putin, & the Toxic Cycle of Russian Leadership'
Gorbachev, Putin, and the toxic cycle of Russian leadership
At the end of August of last year, I briefly noted the death of Mikhail Gorbachev and promised to comment further on his legacy. However, the death of the Queen days later delayed my fulfilment of that promise as the world's attention focussed on ...
No, this is not about COVID or some other physical malady. It's about how excessive political polarization is negatively affecting two of the world's largest democracies in a way that threatens to erode their political institutions.
Professor - Department of Christian Religious Studies Looking to fill a seat. The University of The Gambia is looking to hire a professor (potentially a foreign national) with a Ph.D. degree in New Testament (or potentially theology) to teach in...
Drop us a line, we'd like your feedback; as students-at-heart, we want to be in touch and learn more from YOU!
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Email us at:
admin@globalscholarscanada.ca
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
A Table in the Wilderness
I’m participating in a Lenten series entitled “A Table in the Wilderness.” It's amazing how many Bible stories demonstrate this theme of provision in a place of loneliness, deprivation, and even death.
One instance of such provision in a place of testing is Jesus' feeding of the 5000+ (including women and children)“in a desert place.” When I’ve heard this story, the focus is often on the spectacular miracle performed by Jesus. But I found a painting on-line of this scene by a Cameroon artist named Jesus Mafa that offers a fresh perspective. For one, its noteworthy to see that all the figures in the painting are black, including Jesus. But it’s striking to see the focus is on sharing what we have.
The commentary reads: “The miracle of this story rests in Jesus’ taking the resources people shared and breaking (read: dividing) them among all in attendance that day.”
The focus is sharing what we have, which is no doubt, what everyone did that day. For our scholars, that means passing on what they know about God’s world and word to enrich the common good. We are re-distributing educational resources across the globe, especially in underserviced areas. The note on the painting ends: “In this world, there is plenty to go around. Rather than projecting a gospel of prosperity, we should radiate a gospel of giving.”
The miracle in this assessment is a shared table in the wilderness, a foretaste of resurrected life.
Higher Education and the Foolishness of the Cross:...
This guest editorial is by Dr. Harry Fernhout, current chair of the board of Global Scholars Canada. He is also former president of two notable Canadian academies of Christian higher learning: the Institute for Christian Studies and King's...
"We should have a lifelong goal to become true renaissance engineers, familiar not only with the technical disciplines central to the profession but also with the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences-in sum, the broad social-cultural...
Bless the writing and speaking endeavours of GSC scholars and guests at June's 'Letters from Moscow' Symposium in Oakville and online.
Pray with our Ukrainian friend, Oleksandr for families in war-torn Ukraine and Russia. Pray for an end to war.
GSC Scholars:
Wendy & Adrian Helleman - Canada to The Gambia, Russia, and Nigeria. Bless the Hellemans' sharing of 'Letters from Moscow' a culmination of nearly three decades of work.
Stephen Ney in Sierra Leone. Praise for all the positive impacts that Logos and Cosmos Initiative Catalysts' projects have had on the University. Pray they produce fresh thinking and new opportunities.
Dia Diafwila - For graduations, networking and further teaching opportunities. Travelling to Ivory Coast and DR Congo.
Manhee Yoon in The Gambia. Pray for the professorship opening in Christian Studies at UTG to be filled, pray for program transitions.
Andrew Barron - Research on a theology of disability and faith.
Glen Taylor - Canada to The Gambia. Thanks for a successful recent trip to The Gambia.
David Koyzis - pray as David works toward completing his latest project, his book: Citizenship Without Illusions, due at the end of this calendar year.
John & Anne Span in South Africa. Pray for continued vigilance for security for staff and students.
Jeremy Young - for health, extra financial support and discernment in his multiplicity of labours in Columbia.
Mike Wagenman - for his work with international students and graduate students across continents. Canada to UK & South Africa
GSC Student Interns:
Chloe (Montreal) - for her role as a campus minister rep at InterVarsity and for growth of the graduate student ministry at McGill and elsewhere.
Angel (Calgary) - for wisdom, guidance and discernment navigating the role of student governor as well as exploring required summer work placements for her degree.