Saturday, September 30, 2006

Controversy at Calvin Theological Seminary

I happened to see a table by a representative from Calvin Theological Seminary last week, to publicise their programs, especially their doctoral programs since Regent does not offer doctoral degrees. Incidentally, I came across this recent controversy, which is still going on in the South. According to a Grand Rapids Press, Dr Ruth Tucker, a prominent professor at Calvin Theological Seminary has charged a sexual discrimination at her institution's administration. According to the Grand Rapids Press article,


"I was being held to a different standard than my male colleagues," Tucker, 61, said. "I do not believe that, had I been an insider and a man, that this ever would have happened to me."

In a lengthy, hard-hitting account on her Web site, Tucker, who taught missions and church history, calls her experience a "nightmare" and accuses administrators of covering up her appeals of a demotion three years ago.

"I hope that by telling my story no one else will ever have to endure such a painful ordeal as I have and that positive changes will come to the school," Tucker writes at www.ruthtucker.net.

Though unwilling to go into details, seminary officials deny Tucker was discriminated against at the seminary founded in 1876.

"I believe that Professor Tucker as our first woman faculty member was really important to Calvin Theological Seminary, and we continue to be intent on using the gifts of women," said the Rev. Cornelius Plantinga Jr., president of the 300-student seminary.

The head of the seminary board said a committee thoroughly investigated Tucker's allegations, and trustees had hoped to promote her.

"I feel she was treated properly, especially by giving her accusations full review," said board President Sidney Jansma Jr.


Dr Ruth Tucker apparently felt the GR article above did not fully represent her view, hence she made her blogsite public.

Apparently, the CTS administration chose to remain silent. Lacking information, I suspend my judgment on such matters and prefer to pray for all parties concerned at this point. Let me know if you have further information on this.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Regent Can be Fun.

Who says Regent students cannot be fun? For those who missed this at the Warmbeach Retreat 2006, here is a nice clip.

ks

Thoughts on Augustine Confessions


"People are moved to wonder by mountain peaks, by vast waves of the sea, by broad waterfalls on rivers, by the all-embracing extent of the ocean, by the revolutions of the stars. But in themselves they are uninterested." (Augustine Confessions, X.viii.15)

But my God, Who created the highest mountains, the deepest seas, the broadest waterfalls, the widest oceans, the amazing stars, and yet so intensely interested in the humble human race, including me. Such manifestations of love lifts me up when felt in the heart.


ks

Church a Self-Satisfaction Enterprise?

People know how to claim to come to Church to worship God. Many say they live by faith, and that nothing is more important than knowing God's Word.

What about churches that has the situation of having Marriage Enrichment classes that are full, while those dealing with inner city projects, missionary focus and prayer meetings are in danger of being scrapped due to lack of interest!

A famous preacher even confessed that contrary to popular saying, adult Bible studies are not well attended, resulting in it being terminated in favour of other more 'popular' sessions like marriage, seminars on time and stress management, Da Vinci code and various things related to self fulfilment.

What kind of a Church are we dealing with? Maybe we can start calling them Community Centers instead. It seems to me that there are people who are itching all over but are being rubbed on the wrong side! Or people wanting to satisfy a deep internal felt need, but under the guise of an externally presentable platform of 'going to church.' Best of both worlds situation? Nope. That is the worst of both worlds.

In the first case, it is worse because self-fulfilling is never possible. They will always thirst. (John 4:13).

In the second, the Christian faith is either all or none, never half and a half. how can one put his hand in the plow and look back? (Luke 9:62)



ks

Thursday, September 28, 2006

FEER Banned in Singapore (again!)

Another publication has been banned in Singapore. This time it is the Dow Jones publication, FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW. I remember my literature school teacher in Primary (Elementary) School who lavished praise on its reporting. Those days, banning of any publications is largely unheard of. According to the Asia1 report,

Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) can no longer be sold or distributed in Singapore from today, as the government has revoked the permit given to the Hong Kong-based monthly magazine.

This follows the failure by the publisher of FEER to comply with the conditions imposed under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA), said the Ministry for Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica).

The government announced on Aug 3 that FEER was deemed an "offshore newspaper" and it must comply with the requirements before it could be circulated in Singapore.

This means it must appoint a representative here on behalf of the publisher and submit a security deposit of $200,000. FEER was given up to Sept 11 to meet the requirements.


That is for failing to appoint a legal representative as well as to put up a huge deposit in order to get a license for circulation in the country. What this means is that in the event the FEER puts up any 'irresponsible' articles, they can be sued for libel in the country, which can inflict large financial damages. Currently, Singapore is restricted to banning them, and not able to sue them for more money outside Singapore courts.

Should a press be completely free? Is it qualified for self-censorship? Is Singapore fair in their approach to muzzle the press this way?

1) Asia1
2) Bloomberg
3) Channelnewsasia

For me, I think it is only fair to play by the rules according to the rules of the country. For anyone who wants to criticise the Singapore government, remember that arsons are people who set fire deliberately and expect others to put out the fire. Though I may not fully agree with the methods used by the government, I understand where they are coming from.

ks

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Etcetera This Week (26-30 Sep 06)

This is Week 3 of Fall Term 2006, and the Regent student newsletter "Etcetera" carries with it an interesting article entitled: "Out of Lebanon". Written by a fellow student, it is a first hand perspective of the war in Lebanon few weeks ago between Israel and the Hezbollah. It is a condensed version but, the main gist of it is that the war there has been grossly misrepresented by the American mass media. The one in the Etcetera is a condensed version from the actual. Read the full version here.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Movie: "Entertaining Angels"

A memorable quip:

"Do you know what is the problem with the world? Those who act, don't think, and those who think don't act!" (Peter Maurin, played by Martin Sheen)

This movie is about Dorothy Day, a courageous woman, determined to help the poor started the Catholic Worker movement. A person who experienced personal failures in relationships, she learnt that work done for a community must always be done by a community, never an individual crusade.

The beginning was noisy. The middle was depressing. The end was touching.

ks

Monday, September 25, 2006

Seagull & The Rat (Lesson on fearing Fear)

There is an amazing assortment of living creatures on the UBC campus. Up in the skies there are seagulls, crows and an occasional eagle. Flat on the land, there are dogs, raccoons, squirrels and some rats. Normally the animals live in harmony with one another, at least during the moments when I venture outdoors. This morning, I heard a scuffle behind the bushes. I thought it was simply 2 birds fighting over scraps of food. I cycled nearer and saw a seagull trying to catch a rat. The rat was trying to break free from the talons of the seagull. The seagull was apparently hungry and tried to grasp the rat, about the size of an outstretched adult palm. Hearing my bicycle, the seagull suddenly let go of the rat. I guess while on the one hand it was hungry, on the other hand, it feared any danger to itself from the noise coming from my bicycle. It decided in favour of its own safety, and the rat sprinted off gladly to the safety of a large bush.

What a shame to give in to fear, and losing one's breakfast, I thought. A greater shame is when the fear is actually from me who is simply passing by, having no intention of hurting either seagull or rat. Far from it, I was even hoping for the seagull's success, as it will reduce the campus rat menace by 1. Alas, that was not to be.

Isn't it a pity when we paralyze ourselves due to fear that is self-imposed?
One can think of not wanting to try skiing for fear of breaking one's legs.
Or to keep quiet during class for fear of being ridiculed for asking 'silly' questions.
Or to play it safe by sticking to conservative paths, fearing the uncertainty in risk-taking.

In the first case, fear results in missing out the fun of skiing. In the second, fear causes a lost opportunity to clarify doubts and even close the learning opportunities. Finally, the lack of risk means no new breakthroughs. The seagull lost its breakfast because of its fear of perceived danger to itself. For us, fearing fear may exact a higher cost.

Sometimes the way to overcome fear is to experience more of life. This can only be done when we live not simply our own lives. More so, this is better learned in living together in a community of people in our lives. Within a community of people, one can keep in check the unhealthy fear. The community reflects back the reality in ways which individual persons cannot do so on their own.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccl 4:9-12)


kianseng

Friday, September 22, 2006

Mothering with Love

Is love a many splendoured thing? Or simply something that we slap over amidst controversies or difficult discussion? Found this reflection from Patrick McNamara on Augustine pretty intriquing.

"Love is in labour with some, becomes weak with others; strives to edify some, dreads to be a cause of offense to others; stoops to some, before others stands with head erect; is gentle to some and stern to others; an enemy to none, a mother to all."

What caught my eye was 'mother to all.' Love is not a romanticised image of boy+girl=love. Neither is it a heart+arrow connotation of Cupid. Love must be tough says James Dobson. The Apostle Paul's widely quoted verse 1 Cor 13:13 says: "And now remains these three, faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love."

Mother. Love. Tough. Greatest. The image of a mother is one of the closest ever to defining love. All of us came into this world out of our mother's womb, often with tremendous pains that no words can ever describe. Babies feed from the mother's breast and establishes a relationship that none of us can verbalize. The love from a mother in caring and nursing a growing child is something few men can ever dared to boast of.

The words "To mother someone" has become denigrated in our society. It is used derogatively to dispel any attempts whether direct or indirect to encrouch on a person's independence. "Are you trying to mother me?" is something that is equal to "Hey, back off! Don't start telling me what to do. I know how to live my own life."

We must recover the sense of mothering in the sense that we offer another person a listening ear that is non-judgmental, but with an attitude of gentle guidance. It is like saying: "Go on, I am here if you need me." It is like a nearby boat accompanying, encouraging and being on standby for a lone swimmer attempting to swim across a 100 mile channel. It is like saying to a friend, "Press on. I am cheering for you!"

Mothering is not a bad word. It is one of the most beautiful images in life.

kianseng

Thursday, September 21, 2006

An interesting Blog Opinion

Came across this blog from a Singaporean who have lived in Canada. Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Regent Re-loaded

"How many courses are you taking?"
- Oh. Just 5, not counting the Audio.

"How many of those are you auditing?"
- None. I am doing all for credit.

"You're what! How could you do that?"
- I don't know. Pray for me.

That ended that conversation.

When I am busy, it is easy to simply breeze through people and rush from one reading to the next. Of all my classes, the most challenging this term is Systematic Theology C, where each week I have to read and summarise one primary source document. This week is supposed to be St Basil's treatise on the Holy Spirit. Next week is Calvin's Institutes. The following week is a Dominum et vivificantem....

This is only the second week, and I am feeling sunken already. Pray for me.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Peace quotes

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world go blind." (Gandhi)

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." (Mother Teresa)

"Why is it so easy for us to be willing to pick up arms and risk our lives, and so difficult to put down those same weapons and still risk our lives - in the cause of life?" (Ramzi Kysia, a young Muslim-American peace activist)

Friday, September 15, 2006

'Leaving Church' in order to find God? (Paradox)

"By fleeing the church to seek refuge in the world, I had reversed the usual paradigm, and I had to learn my way around the new one. For half my life, the axis of my world had run through the altar of a church. I spend most of my time in church, with church people, engaging in the work of the church. My view of reality grew from that center. I looked at life through the windows of the church, using the language I had learned there not only to describe what I saw but also to make sense of it. My context was so tightly focused that even my junk mail was Christian."
(From: "Leaving Church" by Barbara Brown Taylor Harper San Francisco, 2006, 168)

Barbara Brown Taylor is one of my favourite writers. She writes with a literary style that is deceptively simple, but deeply personal. Her book is a personal memoir of faith, in which she first sought to find God through the Church. Immersing herself in dedication and utmost service to the clergy profession, she reaches the point of burnt-out, in danger of not only losing her faith, but of her personhood as well. Soon she discovers that the only way for her to salvage her faith is to leave the church she was in.

We need to learn from people like her (not necessarily to physically leave the church). Do not wait to be burnt-out before we realise that 'serving God' is not the only thing in the world. The call to serve God must never be divorced from the need to be fully human. Thou shalt keep the Sabbath, holy as to the Lord. If God so needed to rest one day a week, dare not we? Read the book.

kianseng

Damage Control (Singapore and IMF/WB mtgs)

So Singapore finally relents after extensive pressure. 22 of the banned 27 activists will finally be allowed to enter the country.

1) "Singapore, rebuked, lifts ban (IHT)"
2) "Singapore relents ban over activists (FT)"
3) "Singapore Allows some activists to meet (Hindu Times)"
4) "22 out of 26 now able to enter (CNA)"

Somehow, the damage to Singapore's reputation has already been done. At least, this latest relent by the Singapore authorities has limited the damage. Unfortunately, when I did a comparison on Google news search, the number of news articles about this latest turnaround is 377 compared to a high of 1300 about Singapore's refusal to allow the protestors to enter. Singapore has given the International media the unfortunate chance to parade the country in a negative way.

Hopefully, the media in general will be responsible to treat the whole issue as a learning process for a young country. There is hope. The Singapore leadership is open. The concern now is who are they being open to? Without the personal intervention of the IMF President and World Bank top officials, without the pressure of the International Media, without the threat of boycott by well known International Civil action groups, will this latest relent ever happen?

Power, wealth, and reputation rules the day.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Willfulness vs Willingness

I appreciate this piece of caution against the overdependence on the will.

"I can will knowledge, but not wisdom;
Going to bed, but not sleeping;
Meekness but not humility;
Scrupulousity but not virtue;
Self-assertion or bravado, but not courage;
Lust, but not love;
Commiseration, but not sympathy;
Congratulations, but not admiration;
Religiosity but not faith."
(Leslie Farber in The ways of the will: Selected Essays)

Why am I touched by this? That is partially because I have seen many (including myself) who have struggled the emotional ups and downs of doing good works, based on sheer will and self-determination. Will itself can be extremely effective. Upper management places a high premium on strong will. Even Christians in ministry sometimes pride themselves in being strong-willed to serve in all kinds of situations. I listen with concern when people say they "enjoy what they are doing." I asked inside my head, "What happens when you DON'T enjoy what you are doing?"

There are 2 kinds of will. A self-will or simply being willing. The difference is subtle. One former depends on self, like a gripped fist of determination. The latter is like an open palm, humble , gentle and waits to be led to a place unknown. For Christians, we too are constantly led to unknown places in our pilgrimage of life. The big difference, is we are led by a known God. My point is, we must never plan our lives based solely on what we enjoy or not enjoy doing, and then trust our Self-Will to fuel the whole journey. Did Christ ENJOY being led to the Cross? No. For Him, it is obedience.

kianseng

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

New Term Old Friends

Regent College's Fall 2006 term has started. While it is nice to see new people, and having new kids on the block, it is more heart-warming to see friends. Holding small-talk takes effort and it is often better to simply catch-up up with old friends, people we have known over the past 2 years. No need to rehash: "Hi, what's your name? Where are you from?"

But, be real. We live in a transient world. People come and people go. The Hi-Bye syndrome that we dread also happens in a theological college. But may every 'Hi' be a recognition of that common bond in the Lord Jesus. May every 'Bye' be a send off of blessing. The task is how to do that authentically and with passion.

Somehow, we need to have a theology of smalltalk. It is absolutely essential in a culture of little time and many 'coincidental' meetings. Maybe, one day we'll learn how to build good and lasting friendships not dependent by the need to spend a long stretch of time together (though still the preferred way), but with multiple snippets of word and short quips that can be sustained over the years. I got that feeling that such will increasingly be the only opportunity available to us. Unless somethiing zaps the technology of the world and slows us back to the stone age. Maybe then, we can seriously build any relationship through face to face interaction rather than via the wire.

kianseng

IMF/WB Meetings in Singapore

Wednesday 14th September 2006, marks the start of the much anticipated International Monetary Fund / World Bank meetings. In a nutshell,
"The meetings include two days of plenary sessions, during which governors consult one another and address the assembly to present their countries' views on current economic and financial issues. The boards of governors make decisions on how current international monetary issues should be addressed and approve corresponding resolutions."

The IMF has been very prominent in the recent Asian financial crisis, the Brazilian 30 billion USD rescue package and various other financial help worldwide. These meetings are not simply restricted to policy makers. It has an extremely wide economic impact worldwide. (For example, when the IMF approved a multi-billion dollar aid to Indonesia, one of the requirements was the government reduce subsidy on oil for the local Indonesian consumer. That resulted in overall rise in living costs for Indonesians.)

It is easy to point a finger at policies. But those of us who understand the complexities of culture will also understand that it is one thing to make a policy based on statistics within a comfortable air-conditioned, climate controlled closed door office. It is yet another to walk the streets of poverty and feel with the hands the hardship of people living in poor economies. How then do they come up with a policy that incorporates compassion and shrewd economic planning?

OPTION A - Policy Makers alone
OPTION B - Policy Makers + Civil Society groups (CSGs) input

The Singapore meeting more closely resemble Option A now. It has banned many activists from even entering the country. They see them as troublemakers. Option B is perhaps something closer to what we would say 'fair representation of views' necessary for good policy making. As a result of Singapore's efficient bans, CSGs are essentially muted or controlled. Many organizations have called for a boycott. Even Christian Aid organisation has called for a boycott of the Singapore meetings. My feel is that with the Singapore government's banning of prominent CSGs, it will be a long time (if ever), any future IMF events will be held in Singapore. Just like the University of Warwick (prominent University in the UK) which finally decided not to have a campus in Singapore due to restrictions on press freedom, will the IMF/WB and activists ban Singapore in future, as a host for IMF meetings?

If so, this will be a sad situation as Singapore wants to promote immigration into the country and to attract foreign talent. Attracting international talent would meant learning to be open to the international rules of engagement. Singapore's reputed draconian controls need to be relaxed for the sake of future competitiveness of the country. Perhaps for the sake of future survival too.

It is one thing for Singapore to apply domestic methods on domestic affairs. It is yet another to apply such rules to international gatherings. Hopefully, the future leadership of Singapore will be more open to different expressions. Until that happens, the best way to live in Singapore is to be quiet, submissive and obedient.

ks

Monday, September 11, 2006

In Memory - Sep 11

If there is ever any good that comes out of the horror of Sep 11, 2001 terrorism on the US, it is described in this picture. Let us pray.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Time Magazine at it again: "Prosperity Gospel" coverage in Sep 2006 issue

In a rather cheeky way, the title for the Sep 9th issue of TIME magazine is eye-catching. On the one hand, I sense that the media is fast running out of ideas to report on. Iraq, Sep 11, terrorism and various other topics have been done before. So they decided to refocus on the evangelical scene in America.

A 'Holy controversy' is a tongue in check phrase. Will a holy entity be enshrouded in controversy? Holiness itself is being set-apart, be separate. It is very clear. How can something holy ever be controversial when holiness is absolutely clear-cut. Holiness is purity. Holiness is a single thought and life in God. Like Soren Kiekeggard's memorable words: "Purity of heart is to will one thing.

Perhaps the interpretation of it is controversial. Holiness is not. Only those who wants it all to be holy and yet remain in sin. Isn't it true that Jesus reminds us that it is more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, than for a camel to go through the eye of the needle?
Let the press stir up the controversy. It makes more money through controversies. For us the Church, be not distracted. Focus on the task God has set before us.

kianseng

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Regent SEA+Friends Gathering - Fall 2006

We had a sumptious gathering today with visitors from Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and even Hawaii! Enjoy the pictures. Thanks to everyone who contributed and made the effort to be present.


Rice Festival! We have Nasi Brani from Victor, Glutinous rice from ZiKang, Pineapple rice and plain steamed rice.


A sample of the dishes. Green beef curry from Wichai, fried noodles, Prawns (hey I missed that!), LoHan vegetables, curry vegetables galore.


Desserts in their varieties. Watermelon, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, Tea-leaf eggs (from Netherlands!), cakes, even durian dodol!


Finally a group picture.

I had a good time.

Poseidon Movie

Watched Poseidon movie for free at the UBC SUB. The movie is an Orientation welcome for new and returning students. Free every night until this Sunday. Movie was impressive in terms of its special effects and the heroic attempts to help one another. Yet there seem to be a subtle hopelessness in a hopeless situation. With the Titanic, the problem is hitting the iceberg. With the Poseidon, there was no way to escape the rouge wave or freak wave.

Watch it. It's good.

IMF/World Bank Meeting in Singapore (14-20 Sep 2006)

Some news closer to home.

1) KFC Activists barred from Singapore
2) Ban on Protests will affect Singapore's Image
3) IMF / WB Rebuke Singapore
4) Singapore, Unused to Protests, Girds for World Bank meetings
5) Official Request from IMF/World Bank to Permit CSOs

So the Singapore government has decided that it will not be a repeat of what happened in Hong Kong during the most recent IMF/WB meetings when it hosted the delegates. To cut the long story short, Singapore did the expected: Ban protests. Ban activists from entering the country. Ban everything that can be banned. What does that tell you? The interesting thing is that even IMF/World Bank have specifically requested that 'accredited protestors' must be allowed. So the authorities decided to put all of the protestors in a room instead to do their 'protest.' How effective then will be a matter of how well the press is covering them. Note this words from the IMF/WB themselves: "We have consistently opposed any restrictions on full participation and peaceful expression of views. Open dialogue with civil society is also important for the effective operation of our institutions."

Are the local authorities only capable to settling issues by banning? While some may trumpet the city state as a safe and secure place to do business, the banning activities tell us something else. The security framework Singapore has does not know how to deal with the protests (even though it is safe). They might have the text-book knowhow on how to deal with different political expressions. But their experience in dealing with them are sorely lacking. To put it crudely, one might even think that the security forces are in some ways domesticated.

So have a good meeting. Suppress other expressions of protests and movement in the name of 'safety and security.' A sanitized environment will be good. Totally clean, and the best place to be safe in this world will only be Singapore. Outside sanitized Singapore, can the citizens fare as well? I am no friend of violence. Neither I am supportive of blatant suppression of legitimate expression. While showing the world how good and safe the country is, are the actions also telling the world how intolerant the country is? Yes, 'intolerant of violence' you may say. Have one ever wondered that the reason for violence is usually the inability to manage them? I think the opportunity to show the world how to conduct peaceful protests would have been lost. Singapore would have gained greater credibility if they have succeeded in allowing peaceful protests. By banning, I guess it only shows the draconian aspect.

Lest we forget, the protests are not against Singapore or any of its interest. The protests arises out of a genuine concern on the impact of IMF/World Bank policies. They have world implications for the poor countries, for the economically disadvantaged places. While violence from a few is terrible, the majority of protestors are not violent. They just want to make their point heard, which is not helped in a controlled Singapore media environment.

what about the silent injustice that is happening around the world due to policies from rich nations? Maybe, if possible, someone can ban such injustice. If only life is that simple....

Sometimes I wonder, our heavenly Father looking down on us. If He is a 'banning' God, then many of us will not be here today.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Completed mid-Term and weekend activities

Finally I have reached the half way mark of History 501. It has been a long road but it is nice to finish half-way, reducing about half the load and the stress before the start of term next week. Full load.

Strange that when I see the new students going through the Orientation @ Regent this week, it reminds me of my first year, still green and enthusiastic. Now what have I become? Guess a little older, a little more experienced but still stressed out!

Look forward to this weekend's ANNUAL CORN ROAST & POT LUCK BBQ in one of my church's member's farm in Richmond. Also looking forward to a "South-East-Asia + Friends" gathering to welcome new and returning students on Saturday.

kianseng

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Fun with Live Bookmarks

Here is a great feature if you are using Firefox browsers. At the Location bar of your browser page, where you usually key in your web address, towards the right hand side is a little orange symbol that looks like this.

Move your cursor to the icon. Click it to bookmark it. Next time, all you need to do is to click on your new bookmark and it will flash out all the titles of the latest postings, and with one glance you will be able to see whether the blog has been updated. What I have done is I created a folder just to contain all the live bookmarks. A live bookmark simply mean that you can see the status of the web page without having to go to the page directly, saving you a little more time and effort. Great feature.

For those using Internet Explorer, you'll have to wait until ver 7 is released or download its beta version.

kianseng

Monday, September 04, 2006

Rankings of top theological institutes in US

For those of you who might be interested.

Ranking of US seminaries for doctorate programmes, according to the First Things Aug 30th article.

1. Duke Divinity School
2. Notre Dame
3. Princeton University
4. Boston College
5. Catholic U, Princeton TS, Trinity Evangelical Seminary

Others mentioned included Chicago, Harvard, Vanderbilt, Emory and Yale. As a Methodist, I am quite happy to see First Things, a conservative periodical putting Duke as top. Again, the rankings are one based on the contributor's experience and knowledge about the faculty and programmes there.

Check out the details at http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=447

Rankings are not only subjective to a large extent. It is also constantly shifting and there are many other factors besides faculty quality.

conrade

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Trip to Okanagan Valley to Vernon (30Aug-2Sep)


View of Wood Lake off ViewPoint along Highway 97 (North)


We picked Cherries,


Peaches,


and Apples.

Clarissa and her good friend, Mollie the dog.

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