Krish Kandiah will speak on Paradoxology at Regent College.
Didn’t apologists for the Christian faith used to specialize in certainty, in lining up proofs and demolishing contrary arguments? No doubt they did more of that before postmodernism took such a firm hold on the culture.
Now, it seems, apologists deal in paradox – at least Regent College has two such appearing in the next week or so during their Summer Lecture Series.
Krish Kandiah will address Paradoxology: Why Christianity was Never Meant to be Simple next Monday (June 1) and one week later (June 8) David Skeel will talk about True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World. Neither can really be described simply as an apologist, though each is expert in the field.
Krish Kandiah is president of the London School of Theology and lectures in evangelism at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University. He has written several books deal with such issues as the reliability of scripture and the relevance of faith for daily life.
Of his most recent book Paradoxology, he said:
In Paradoxology I am seeking to face head on some of the biggest challenges to faith. We wrestle with suffering, the unpredictability of God, disappointment with God and his church. These challenges come framed in paradoxes as we try to reconcile two apparently competing beliefs:
God is good but bad stuff happens;
God is powerful but often inactive;
God is compassionate but painful things happen all the time.
David Skeel’s day job is teaching corporate law.
David Skeel is a professor of corporate law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He has also written several books, though most are related to his professional and teaching career. His publisher (InterVarsity Press) introduces True Paradox (the full title is the same as the lecture) in this way:
How do we explain human consciousness? Where do we get our sense of beauty? Why do we recoil at suffering? Why do we have moral codes that none of us can meet? Why do we yearn for justice, yet seem incapable of establishing it?
Any philosophy or worldview must make sense of the world as we actually experience it. We need to explain how we can discern qualities such as beauty and evil and account for our practices of morality and law.
The complexity of the contemporary world is sometimes seen as an embarrassment for Christianity. But law professor David Skeel makes a fresh case for the plausibility and explanatory power of Christianity. The Christian faith offers plausible explanations for the central puzzles of our existence, such as our capacity for idea-making, our experience of beauty and suffering and our inability to create a just social order. When compared with materialism or other sets of beliefs, Christianity provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding human life as we actually live it.
We need not deny the complexities of life as we experience it. But the paradoxes of our existence can lead us to the possibility that the existence of God could make sense of it all.
Arts in the City
A couple of months ago I wrote an article about Art shows on the west side, noting a series of exhibits and talks; it seems we’re in midst of another wave of artistic expression. I’m sure I’m missing other examples, but even without looking, here’s what I have stumbled across:
* Arts in the City this Friday (May 29) at Reality Church in East Vancouver: The Arts Showcase and Open Mic is billed as “an evening of arts and music for you to enjoy free of charge. Coffee, juice and snacks will be provided.” Go here to see a list of the artists and musicians.
* Cultivate took place last weekend at Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, also in East Van. “We’re celebrating the creativity within the community of GCBC with an art and poetry exhibition!” said the organizers. “Come and get inspired by the many captivating visual artists and poetic wordsmiths that surround us. Hopefully it will be a springboard to dive into a creative practice of your own.”
* Fukushima to Vancouver 2015 features nine Japanese artists responding prayerfully to the 2011 Fukushima Triple Disaster – earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. At the Lookout Gallery until June 25.
* Regent College’s Allison Library is hosting North Korean Art from May 28 – July 24. See the accompanying story this week.
* Global Learning Consortium – which is responsible for both Fukushima to Vancouver 2015 and North Korean Art – is also putting on Soul Sustainability: Urban Renewal Through Art at Strathcona Church June 11 – 13. They say: “Local Christian artists who are wrestling with the desire to integrate theology and art for the mission of urban transformation are invited to attend this three-day retreat in Vancouver’s Strathcona/Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, facilitated by local artists and artists visiting from Japan.”
* Over on Bowen Island, Liz Snell will be talking this Friday (May 29) about art as part of L’Abri’s Friday Night Talks series.
* The Verge Conference 2015, whose theme this year is Arts + Environment, is accepting submissions for its journal; the deadline is May 31. Trinity Western’s School of the Arts, Media and Culture will host the event October 1 – 2.
Alongsiders: Dessert and Inspiration
Craig Greenfield created Alongsiders to work with vulnerable children in Cambodia and now other locations as well.
Craig Greenfield of Alongsiders International will be at Tenth Church June 5 for a Dessert and Inspiration Evening. The evening should indeed be inspirational. He moved with his wife Nay into a Cambodian slum 14 years ago. He and his family lived several years in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside after that, but are now back in Cambodia.
Greenfield is founder and director of Alongsiders, of which he says:
We stumbled into a ministry to help Cambodian communities care for their own orphans, eventually reaching hundreds of vulnerable children and sparking a mentoring movement, Alongsiders International, that by God’s grace has spread throughout Cambodia, into India and Indonesia and beyond.
He will talk about building the first Christian campsite in Cambodia and his ministry’s partnership with church networks in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East to come alongside children and youth.
May 2015
God & the Indian – May 28, 2015 - May 30, 2015 at All DayRediscover the Fading Memories – May 28, 2015 - May 29, 2015 at All Day
The Great Divorce – May 28, 2015 - May 31, 2015 at All Day
Freud's Last Session – May 28, 2015 - May 30, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Missional Coaching: Leading Others Toward Mission – May 29, 2015 - May 30, 2015 at All Day
Arts in the City: Arts Showcase & Open Mic – May 29, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Liz Snell: Art – May 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Danny and Sheri Silk: Keep Your Love On Conference – May 30, 2015 at 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Nepal: A Fundraising Concert in Partnership with ADRA Canada – May 30, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Good News Gospel Choir: Rise Up Singing! A Youth Choir Extravaganza – May 30, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Soul 2 Soul Benefit Concert: Tracy Moar & Darlene Ketchum – May 30, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Deadline for Submissions: Verge Conference 2015 - Arts + Environment – May 31, 2015 at All Day
Reconciliation Matters – May 31, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Reconciliation Matters: Ecumenical Service – May 31, 2015 at 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Reconciliation Matters: Ecumenical Prayer Service – May 31, 2015 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Carousel Chorus presents Songs from the British Isles – May 31, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jun 2015
Krish Kandiah: Paradoxology - Why Christianity was Never Meant to be Simple – June 1, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pmCreating a New Way Forward: Reflections on TRC’s Final Report and Recommendations – June 2, 2015 at 8:00 am - 11:00 am
I Am Sending You: Becoming a Missional Church – June 3, 2015 at All Day
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship – June 3, 2015 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Business By the Book: Daryl Ee – June 3, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Valentine Cunningham: Scissored and Pasted - the Impact of the Authorized Version of the Bible – June 3, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Sarah Kennedy – June 3, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Matt Epp in Concert – June 3, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Apologetics Canada: Thinking? Chapter Six - Becoming a Student – June 4, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stone's Throw Productions: Here Lies Henry by Daniel MacIvor – June 4, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Marriage Conference: What Did You Expect? – with Paul David Tripp – June 5, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at All Day
Transformation Art Fair – June 5, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at All Day
Perogy Night in Vancouver – June 5, 2015 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bo Steadman: Utopia - Architectural Visions of the Ideal – June 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dating and the Fear of Rejection: A Hi5's Event – June 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dessert and Inspiration with Alongsiders – June 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Men for God Conference – June 5, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 5:00 pm
RunforH2O – June 6, 2015 at All Day
James Houston: Spring Prayer Retreat - Exploring the Interior Life of Prayer with the Early Church Fathers – June 6, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Retreat for those who Minister to Migrants and Refugees – June 6, 2015 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
ACTS Walk for Water – June 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir – June 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Bones Blues Project – June 6, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jubilate Vocal Ensemble: Requiem for Peace – June 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hymn Sing – June 7, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
David Skeel: True Paradox - How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World – June 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Sufjan Stevens in Concert – June 9, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Citywide Bell Ringing for the United Church of Canada's 90th Birthday – June 10, 2015 at 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Fukushima to Vancouver: Meet the Artists – June 10, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Vancouver Concert Band – June 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Place to Call Home, with Dave Woods – June 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Julie Canlis: Culture, Christian Identity and the Authenticity Hoax – June 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Rossi Gang – June 10, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Soul Sustainability: Urban Renewal Through Art – June 11, 2015 - June 13, 2015 at All Day
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders – June 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Role of Art and the Local Church – June 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stone's Throw Productions: Agnes of God by John Pielmeier – June 11, 2015 - June 13, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Talks With Tom: New President of Regent College, Jeffrey Greenman – June 12, 2015 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Clarke Scheibe: What is Good Friendship? – June 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kathleen Norris: What the Desert Can Teach Us – June 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
River of Life Healing Rooms Training – June 13, 2015 at All Day
Vancouver Worship Training – June 13, 2015 at 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Daniel Plan Simulcast – June 13, 2015 at 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Neighbourhood Thrift Sale – June 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Show & Shine – June 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Writing Workshop with Kathleen Norris – June 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
All My Relations Festival – June 13, 2015 at 11:30 am - 6:00 pm
Edmund Hsiah on 'A Creationist’s missionary experience in China' – June 13, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Gospel Music Festival – June 13, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Atesto: Experience – June 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Back to the Bible National Tour: I Will Tell, with John Neufeld, Phil Callaway & Andrew Marcus – June 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Connecting Historical Dots: from Japan Park to Oppenheimer Park in Strathcona Neighbourhood – June 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
O Music – June 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Red Velvet – June 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Trust and Obey Hymn Festival – June 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Praise in the Park Summer Festival – June 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Armi Grano – June 14, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Robyn McCorquodale – June 14, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
In Concert with Liberty Quartet – June 14, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Back to the Bible National Tour: I Will Tell, with John Neufeld, Phil Callaway & Andrew Marcus – June 14, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Young Life Ironman of Golf – June 15, 2015 at All Day
Summer Connect – June 17, 2015 at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Triology - Jodi Proznick, Bill Coon & Miles Black – June 17, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
#22Days: Ringing the Church Bell – June 18, 2015 - June 21, 2015 at All Day
Double Doors 3 – June 18, 2015 - June 21, 2015 at All Day
Grandview Co:Here Fundraising Garage Sale June 20th, 2015 – June 18, 2015 - June 20, 2015 at All Day
Samuel's Mantle: It's Entirely Possible – June 18, 2015 - June 20, 2015 at All Day
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Universal Gospel Choir – June 19, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Couples Night Out with Steve Geyer – June 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
James Krohn: Art and Secularism – June 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
School's Out 2015 – June 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 11:55 pm
The Campbell Brothers: A Love Supreme – June 19, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Conference: Global Church and Reconciled Korea – June 20, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
God in the Conversation – June 20, 2015 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Grandview Co:Here Fundraising Garage Sale – June 20, 2015 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
10th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic – June 20, 2015 at 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Launch of Refugee Hearing Preparation Guide – June 20, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Strawberry Tea – June 20, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Chapel Unified – June 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
24 Hour Golf-a-Thon Challenge – June 21, 2015 - June 22, 2015 at All Day
Ecumenical Church Service (Point Grey Fiesta) – June 21, 2015 at 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Jazz Vespers: Marcus Mosely Chorale – June 21, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Selwyn College Choir Concert – June 21, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Leora Cashe – June 22, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm