The Society is served by an international Executive Committee, which is re-elected every four years.*
Our governing policies require that “Voting members shall be notified about these elections by [the Society member site] and by email on 2 separate occasions evenly distributed over the course of 2 months prior to the elections” (section 2.5.2). This announcement serves as the first of these two notifications by inviting you to nominate prospective Executive Committee members.
Nominations will end on 1 June 2025
(Accessible only by Full Members)
Get more instructions and nominate Executive Committee members here:
* A four-year election cycle represents a Society policy change. The previous election cycle was two years. The Executive Committee amended this policy because they decided that two-year cycles were too short to serve well the long-term needs of our Society. See Policy 2.4.3 in our governing policies. For a detailed explanation of this amendment, please email Society administrators at Contact@SocietyofChristianScholars.org, and we will be happy to discuss further.
Society Opportunities
Contend for the Faith Webinar
Join the Caribbean Network of Christian Scholars for an inspiring and impactful apologetics webinar, “Contend for the Faith,” on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST (Sunday, June 1 at 00:00 UTC). Featuring Dr. Stan Wallace, President and CEO of Global Scholars and a respected thinker, author and speaker on Christian apologetics. This event is tailored for Christian academics, pastors, and tertiary-level students who are passionate about engaging faith and reason. Participants will gain practical tools to confidently defend the Christian faith in academic and ministry settings, and connect with a vibrant community of believers committed to truth and scholarship. Don’t miss this opportunity to be equipped, inspired, and challenged to contend for the faith with boldness and clarity.
Join by Zoom with the Meeting ID: 831 4575 5079
Password: 172118
Rest! Refresh! Retool! Return! – Hosting and Coaching Global Christian Scholars and Ministry Leaders
At a particularly busy juncture in his ministry, Jesus told his followers, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Drs. Andreas and Marny Köstenberger, Christian authors with a worldwide reputation, have launched a new ministry to global scholars, church leaders, and missionaries at Oak Tree Cottage in Wake Forest, NC. They offer short-term personalized retreats providing spiritual encouragement and scholarly inspiration from the warmth of their hearts and home.
Andreas and Marny have a 30-year track record of equipping Christian leaders in seminary and church settings and are Certified Christian Leadership Coaches (CCLCs). They offer hospitality, friendship, and stimulating conversation over delicious meals. Well versed in cross-cultural ministry settings, Andreas, originally from Austria, offers a deep angle on faith, life, and scholarship, while Marny, originally from Toronto, Canada, provides competent, discerning, and wise counsel.
Andreas and Marny met at Columbia International University, where they started out life as a couple. Having launched four adult children—two married daughters and two young sons—the Köstenbergers invite you to experience a stay in the comfortable guest suite of Oak Tree Cottage. To explore this opportunity, request a stay at oaktreecottage.org or inquire directly at mkostenberger@gmail.com. Generous donors have made it possible for this ministry to be offered free of charge. Come and stay awhile. You only need to get there!
Dr. Andreas J. Kostenberger
Society Library
The Library Reading Group meets the first Friday of every month. The next meeting, on Friday, 6 June at 1400 UTC, will discuss chapter 4 of the important, foundational book for our work as Christian academics, entitled The Outrageous Idea of a Missional Professor: The International Edition by Paul Gould and edited by an international editorial team.
In each conversation, participants share exciting insights about what it means to be a ‘missional professor’ in their local context. Various presenters lead discussions. If you would like to lead a session (or have an idea for a future topic), please contact Dr Marlene Hines, the Society Librarian, at mhines@societyofchristianscholars.org.
This month’s Library Reading Corner feature includes an annotated bibliography of 5 library resources under the library categories, Pursuing Vocational Excellence, Theology and Academy, and Loving God with the Mind.
1. Title: Review of Why Faith and Science Need Each Other by Frank Peters
Brief Description: This Society of Christian Scholars review of Dr. Ecklund’s book highlights her sociological approach to the debate between faith and science, as pointed out in the concluding paragraph of the review, as limiting personal bias evident in other works of the same genre. ‘Instead, the author capably maintains a focus on discussions that are useful, uplifting and honourable to God.’
2. Title: How Philosophy Teaches Humility by Bruce Barron
Brief Description: This blog post by Dr. Bruce Barron, the Society’s Director of Editorial Services, applies philosophical theories of the mind to encourage the Christian virtues of grace, humility, patience and empathy in nurturing healthy relationships among those with whom we interact at any level and within varied contexts.
3. Title: Video: Isaiah: The Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries-Digging for Truth: Episode 244 by Bryan Windle
Brief Description: The video shares ten interesting archaeological discoveries that bring out the authenticity and historicity of the biblical book of Isaiah.
4. Title: Faith and Learning: A Handbook for Christian Higher Education
Brief Description: The authors who have contributed to this edited book are both entry-level faculty members and seasoned scholars. ‘The chapters explore the question of the place of the Christian faith on the university campus, whether in administrative matters, the broader academic world or in student life.’
5. Title: Video: Constitutional Reform: Possibilities and Pitfalls- An Emancipation Day Conversation by David Batts, Laleta Davis-Mattis, and David Henry
Brief Description: This video seminar hosted by the Caribbean Christian Leadership Network discusses the Jamaican Constitutional Reform process. The panel of three presenters are Christian leaders who presently serve on the Jamaica Constitutional Reform Committee.
Call for Book Reviewers
If you would like to write a 1,000-word review on one of the following books, please contact Dr Ron Lindo at rlindo@SocietyofChristianScholars.org for further details. Reviews will be highlighted and published in a special section of our Society member site.
We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan Peterson
Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become Like Him, Do as He Did by John Mark Comer
Healthy Christian Minds: A Biblical, Practical, and Sometimes Philosophical Exploration of Intellectual Virtues and Vices by Elmer J. Thiessen
Faithful Learning: A Vision for Theologically Integrated Education by Jacob Shatzer
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Upcoming Webinars
Be sure to check the Webinars Page for third-party webinars that are often added on short notice and for updated presenters and topics that may be helpful in equipping you to bring the gospel to bear in your university context.
Work as Calling: Contributions from Psychological Science by Bryan Dik – Thursday, 15 May 2025 at 1400 UTC
Historically, Christians have thought about ‘calling’ in terms of salvation in Christ as well as a particular calling to an ecclesial vocation, such as a monastic order or office of the church. With the Protestant Reformation, many of the Reformers, including Luther and Calvin, sought to expand the meaning of ‘vocation’ to include everyday, mundane professions, as all of life was to be considered sacred. What are we moderns to make, then, of ‘vocation’ today?
Empirical research on work as a calling has grown exponentially over the last two decades; it is now a global and vibrant area of scholarship within the fields of psychology and organizational behavior. On Thursday, 15 May 2025 at 1400 UTC, Prof. Bryan Dik, Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University (USA), will discuss the results emerging from this research on calling from a Christian worldview and will address questions that are of major interest to Christians yet remain almost entirely overlooked within contemporary Christian discourse on calling and vocation.
In preparation for the webinar, take some time to read his 2023 article, ‘Understanding Work as a Calling: Contributions from Psychological Science’ in Christian Scholars Review.
Join the conversation and register today!
Adam’s Image: Why AI Can’t Replicate Humans by George Montañez – Thursday, 19 June 2025 at 1400 UTC
Large language models such as GPT-4o and Claude have revolutionized computers’ ability to generate coherent, useful text. Similarly, diffusion models for computer vision are capable of producing award-winning graphics and images. These advancements have led many to fear an imminent ‘AI takeover,’ accompanied by catastrophic economic displacement. Can AI systems truly ever replicate and replace us?
On Thursday, 19 June 2025 at 1400 UTC, Dr. George Montañez, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College (USA), will explore this question functionally (in terms of AI and human capabilities), economically (in terms of labor displacement), and spiritually (in terms of human worth and value). He argues that generative AI systems cannot ever fully replace us along any of those three axes.
In preparation for the webinar, watch this short video: ‘Will the Machines Takeover? Human Uniqueness in the Age of Smart Machines‘
Join the conversation and register today!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Addenda are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Society of Christian Scholars.
