selling your soul to academia
Just a few thoughts in response to the comment Jayson made on my last post...
I believe Jayson's comment hits the nail on the head. My previous post represents my attempt at formulating a "dispassionate and objective" evaluation of a contemporary theological issue. But as Jayson has pointed out, this approach leaves little room for the author to engage her or his personal experience and/or opinion. The ironic thing about all this is my writing prof (from whom I learned so much in so many ways) expressed that any attempt at making a synthesis on this issue would negate its integrity as a valid "research" paper. In other words, by strict academic standards, the topic I posted actually had too much of my personal opinion. If this is the case, how is it possible to write on a theological topic in such a way that is both academic and relevant?
I would like to share a few words from Reginald Bibby's most recent publication Restless Churches, I believe they relate well to the challenges faced by a Theist struggling with the demands of academia:
It's interesting how academic life can sometimes have the effect of closing one's mind rather than opening it. When one sells one's soul to the scientific method of making sense of what is, part of the bargain is that one agrees to limit 'what is' to what can be known empirically through the senses. A second part of the deal is that budding scientists are taught to focus on facts the way they are and leave the responses to those who are directly involved. Similar to the sports analyst up in the booth, the scientific observer watches, describes, and explains what's happening. But responsibility for changes in the game lies with the players and their coaches - people and their leaders.
At this point in my life I have little patience with such and excessive price for my soul. (page 1).
I can say nothing but "Amen" to Bibby's words, but I don't see how I can possibly succeed at this point in my academic carrier by emulating his approach. A widely published and highly respected professor of sociology has much more of a leg to stand on than an insignificant undergrad student such as myself. Unfortunately, I believe the only way for an aspiring academic Theist to be both academic and relevant in her or his writing is to first pay the necessary academic dues, then once a certain amount of respect has been garnered, deviations from the method will not be so easily dismissed by those who would call it into question.
Considering the lengthiness of his post already, I will come full circle and address Jayson's original question, which relates to my own experience - or lack thereof - of the reality that "God is Love" within my own life, in a later post.
I believe Jayson's comment hits the nail on the head. My previous post represents my attempt at formulating a "dispassionate and objective" evaluation of a contemporary theological issue. But as Jayson has pointed out, this approach leaves little room for the author to engage her or his personal experience and/or opinion. The ironic thing about all this is my writing prof (from whom I learned so much in so many ways) expressed that any attempt at making a synthesis on this issue would negate its integrity as a valid "research" paper. In other words, by strict academic standards, the topic I posted actually had too much of my personal opinion. If this is the case, how is it possible to write on a theological topic in such a way that is both academic and relevant?
I would like to share a few words from Reginald Bibby's most recent publication Restless Churches, I believe they relate well to the challenges faced by a Theist struggling with the demands of academia:
It's interesting how academic life can sometimes have the effect of closing one's mind rather than opening it. When one sells one's soul to the scientific method of making sense of what is, part of the bargain is that one agrees to limit 'what is' to what can be known empirically through the senses. A second part of the deal is that budding scientists are taught to focus on facts the way they are and leave the responses to those who are directly involved. Similar to the sports analyst up in the booth, the scientific observer watches, describes, and explains what's happening. But responsibility for changes in the game lies with the players and their coaches - people and their leaders.
At this point in my life I have little patience with such and excessive price for my soul. (page 1).
I can say nothing but "Amen" to Bibby's words, but I don't see how I can possibly succeed at this point in my academic carrier by emulating his approach. A widely published and highly respected professor of sociology has much more of a leg to stand on than an insignificant undergrad student such as myself. Unfortunately, I believe the only way for an aspiring academic Theist to be both academic and relevant in her or his writing is to first pay the necessary academic dues, then once a certain amount of respect has been garnered, deviations from the method will not be so easily dismissed by those who would call it into question.
Considering the lengthiness of his post already, I will come full circle and address Jayson's original question, which relates to my own experience - or lack thereof - of the reality that "God is Love" within my own life, in a later post.
posted by Jason at 1:52 p.m.
3 Comments:
Good post Jason.
This really ticks me off though. How arrogant of your prof to think that synthesis invalidates research as if objectivity really exists. Everytime you lay your hands on anything, read it, ingest it, and write about it, it becomes something esle. You can't help but alter something when you attempt to measure it under the guise of 'objective research.'
Jason man, I could not survive that world and I respect you so much for trying to navigate the academic world with your faith at the forefront.
All I gotta say is, "Rage Against the Machine!"
If you want hard number Reginald Bibby is your man. I studied him in Religions in Canada this past year.
Sometimes you have to just read and let it sink in, trying to "overanalyze" can get one in trouble with reality.
Jer.
Jer
I'm not sure what you mean by "overanalyze".
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