Michael Caleb Harris When someone thinks about Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, myriad associations may come to mind. Being the alma mater of a former world record holder in the mile might seldom make that list. Nonetheless, one of the parent schools of this institution, Gordon Divinity School, brings this title into Gordon-Conwell’s rich history. Gil Dodds (BDiv ’45), also known as “The Flying Parson,” set the world record in the indoor mile a total of three times, two of which were during his schooling at Gordon Divinity. To my knowledge, he is one of the only notable runners to have gr ..read more

“People from every tongue and tribe and people and nation, standing before the throne and before the lamb . . .” (Revelation 7:9) This has been one of my favorite passages for the past quarter of a century. It is a vision of heaven where all the different ethnic groups or tribes or cultures are united. But they are united only because they are transfixed on the glorious presence of the One who has made their joyous unity possible. Without the lamb they would not be together as one. Without the lamb they would not, at the same time, retain their unique cultural and spiritual identity. Without ..read more

Wendy Murray In yesterday’s post, Dr. Currie made reference to the idea of Christians appropriating  “The Columba Option,” reflecting the spirituality of this little-known saint. What does that mean? Who was Columba? What might that “option” look like? In short, Columba was an Irish poet who lived during the sixth century and who ended up in exile on the nondescript Isle of Iona off the western coast of what is now Scotland. He had been embroiled in a violent skirmish involving, of all things, the place of the poets in Irish society. He came from a line of kings who had ruled in Ireland ..read more

Dr. David Currie When you hear the term “Celtic,” what comes to mind? Boston’s basketball team? A Glasgow soccer team? Let’s think more spiritually than sports. Perhaps such themes as “thin places” or “creation celebration” or “womanist empowerment” or a “way of evangelism” come to mind. All of these references spring from this widely-used and little-understood iteration of early Christianity. However, when I hear “Celtic” (hard “C”) I think of . . . tidal pools. This is not simply because the coasts of the Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland, and Northumbria remind me of those here in New Engla ..read more

Image by Makoto Fujimura from the Walking on Water collection. Dr. Wes Vander Lugt Abstract art has always moved me, but until recently I have struggled to articulate why that’s the case and how it connects with my Christian faith. These last two weeks have been formative for me and many others who enjoyed the abstract art event at Gordon-Conwell—Charlotte campus featuring abstract lithographs by Alfred Manessier and lectures by Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt and Dr. Jonathan Anderson. In addition, I was honored to speak at The Mystery of Beauty conference at First Presbyterian Greenville alongs ..read more

Reflections on a Loving, Designing, Self-Disclosing Maker Dr. Dennis Hollinger The following brief excerpt from Dr. Dennis Hollinger’s new book Creation and Christian Ethics highlights the book’s premise that God’s nature is disclosed in the creation and that, as part and parcel of that, ethical paradigms are revealed. He explains why he wrote the book and explores its varied themes in a brief Q & A: What prompted you to write this volume, and why now?  Evangelicals have largely ignored creation other than debating how God created and when God created.  Some Christ ..read more

  “Nancy, why don’t you and Scott just move here to Charlotte? You don’t want to be up there with all that cold weather. We would have so much fun together.” This lively and endearing sentiment captures both the mirth and hopefulness of Jean Graham Ford, who rose to glory last week. Jean Ford was one of the most kind, soft-spoken, and deeply Christian people my wife, Nancy, and I have ever known. As Billy Graham’s sister, and wife and ministry partner of sixty-nine years to a traveling evangelist, artist, and mentor, Jean’s life was immersed in ministry. She and her husband Leighton were ..read more

“But don’t you think our divisions—Christian divisions, not just among Evangelicals—are our greatest problem?” This was one of the most memorable questions asked at a conference on Evangelicalism this past week at Gordon-Conwell.[1] There were many themes that came up regarding the future of the movement, but I believe in the background of this discussion was the question of how we should respond to the deathly pollution from the larger society that is infiltrating and smothering the church. This cultural pollution shows itself in anger, divisions, and distrust that seem to have not just seep ..read more

Wendy Murray The significance of the season of Lent has at times confounded those outside Catholicism since (it is thought) this holy season arises from that tradition. Yet, it is worth considering that this season is one that Christians of all traditions might observe with spiritual benefit. It renders the opportunity for Christian believers to quell the rhythms of everyday life and turn their hearts toward the higher and deeper things, “where Christ is,” as Paul says it.[1] It is the time when we anticipate and reflect upon the holiest period on the Christian calendar—the final days of our ..read more

Michelle T. Sanchez (MDiv & ThM ’09) Discipleship has long been my passion. By “discipleship,” I mean walking with Christ-followers to help them more faithfully follow Jesus, be transformed by Jesus, and participate in Jesus’ beautiful mission in our world. I began my discipleship studies in earnest at a student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where I was blessed by a number of formational classes and experiences including the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building. After serving for a number of years as a discipleship pastor in a local church in the Boston area, I could hardly believ ..read more