1. The New Fall Semester Begins at ICS!

This month marks the beginning of the new fall semester at ICS. There are ten courses starting as well as two distance courses offered this semester:


Theories of Language and Interpretation: Gadamer, Kristeva, and Searle with Dr. Lambert Zuidervaart

Christian Theologies of Art with Dr. Rebekah Smick

Biblical Foundations with Dr. Nik Ansell

Aristotle, Aquinas and the Scholastic Approach to the History of Philosophy with Dr. Robert (Bob) Sweetman

Body, Language, Power: the Question of the Human in 20th Century French Philosophy with Dr. Shannon Hoff

Philosophers on Education with Dr. Doug Blomberg

Religion, Life & Society: Reformational Philosophy with Dr. James (Jim) Olthuis

Beauty: Theology, Ethics, or Aesthetics? with Dr. Rebekah Smick

"To the Unknown God": Paul and Some Philosophers with Dr. Ron Kuipers

God/Sex/Word/Flesh: Gender, Theology, and the Body with Dr. Nik Ansell


Fall 2010 Distance Courses:

Biblical Foundations (Instructor TBD)

Ways of Learning with Dr. Doug Blomberg

For course descriptions and timetables, please visit http://www.icscanada.edu/students/.

2. An Evening with Dr. Bob Vander Vennen

The Institute for Christian Studies will be hosting a reception this month. The purpose of this event is to hear Dr. Bob Vander Vennen speak and to meet with other members of the ICS community. Bob will be making a presentation on what the Institute is and how it has developed over the years. As you may know, Bob has written an award-winning book entitled A University for the People: A History of the Institute for Christian Studies, which he will draw on for his presentation.

This event will be held on Thursday, September 30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Toronto School of Theology, located at 47 Queen's Park Crescent East, Toronto.

3. Doug Blomberg Giving Address in Portugal

On September 9 Senior Member Doug Blomberg will be presenting the opening address at a conference hosted by the University of the Azores, Portugal, to celebrate the UN Year of Biodiversity. His topic is "Wisdom, Spirituality and Biodiversity Education".

4. What’s So Critical about Faith?

Ottawa readers take note: An ICS Worldview lecture series titled "What's so Critical About Faith? Exploring a Crucial Feature of Modern Life" presented by ICS Professor Ron Kuipers will be coming to Ottawa in November. The date and location will be announced in Channel 229 shortly.

5. Annual General Meeting

A note to our voting members: This year, our Annual General Meeting is being scheduled for mid-November. If you would like to receive the materials electronically and did not sign up last year, please fax your e-mail address to 416-979-2332 or e-mail us at agm@icscanada.edu.

6. Reverend James Joosse, Former ICS Leader, Passes Away

The ICS community mourns the passing of Rev. James Joosse, who died on August 29, 2010, at 85 years of age. Rev. Joosse's involvement with ICS goes back to its earliest days, when he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association for Reformed Scientific Studies (the organization that would later become the Association for the Advancement of Christian Scholarship, which founded the ICS). In fact, there is a picture in the first issue of Perspective, dated December of 1967, that shows Rev. Joosse seated next to board chair Rev. A. Venema, along with the other board members of the Association. Rev. Joosse would later go on to become the President of the AACS board of trustees. In that role, he contributed an article in the April 1969 issue of Perspective entitled "Of Computers, Conflict & Christ," in which he reflects on the student uprisings that had been taking place on many campuses throughout Europe and North America at that time. He argued that Christians should not be too quick to dismiss or condemn these student rebellions, but rather to heed "the desperate cry for help" that one could discern behind the various regrettable acts of violence and disruption that were then taking place. In that article, he also argued for the restorative role that an institution like ICS could play in this broken cultural situation. His words of faith still ring true today: "[T]he Christian task in the academic world is so extremely urgent. A new generation is about to emerge to give cultural form to the world in which we live. This new generation will determine the religious direction of the 'new day'. But it's a generation in the grip of meaninglessness and despair. The only hope for salvation is the healing and soothing balm of the Christian gospel. We must therefore make a Christian contribution to the academic world as well as to the entire cultural situation in which all of us, students included, live our lives." Rev. Joosse's passing gives everyone at ICS an occasion to reflect once again on these words of wisdom, as well as an opportunity to express our gratitude for the crucial foundational role that he was able to play in the establishment of ICS. We are also grateful for the fact that his support remained constant throughout his life, even after his period of direct, active involvement ended. Only ten days before his passing, he attended the final session of the "Truth Matters" conference recently hosted by ICS, where he was able to hear ICS Professor Emeritus Calvin Seerveld deliver an excellent paper entitled "The Import of Biblical Wisdom Literature for a Conception of Artistic Truth." After the conference, Rev. Joosse's son John communicated to ICS that "it was very special for [Rev. Joosse] to attend that one last ICS function. ICS is very dear to his heart and has been for a very long time." Rev. Joosse's life and ministry touched many people as well as many Christian organizations. We at ICS are extremely grateful that our institution belongs to that group. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Lena, as well as to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren during this difficult time.

7. Prayers: September 2010

Wednesday, September 1: As you, our prayer supporters know, our Acting President Bob Sweetman has been undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. This week he learned that he also has prostate cancer. Further tests are needed to determine the extent of the cancer; however, surgery is certainly called for. Further treatment will depend on what is learned. Please join us in prayer for the best possible outcomes, for strength and hope for Bob, Rosanne and their family, and for excellent medical care for Bob.

Thursday, September 2: We offer prayers of gratitude for the wonderful success of the Truth Matters conference held last month. It was engaging, stimulating, well-organized and well-attended.

Friday, September 3: The ICS community mourns the loss of long-time supporter Reverend Joosse who passed away last month. The ICS community extends its thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Rev. Joosse.

Monday, September 6: We offer prayers of thanks for the addition of nine new Junior Members to the ICS community this fall. Please continue to remember them in your prayers as they make the final preparations and transitions this summer in order to begin their program studies here next week. As new and returning students arrive, we ask God to help with energy and flexibility for their back-to-school transition.

Tuesday, September 7: Today is New Junior Member Orientation Day! We take this as an opportunity to thank God for our incoming class of Junior Members and to ask God's blessing on their time at ICS.

Wednesday, September 8: Today is Registration Day for all new and returning Junior Members. We thank God for all of our Junior Members and ask God's blessing upon them as they begin another year of studies at ICS.

Thursday, September 9: Senior Member Doug Blomberg will be presenting the opening address at a conference hosted by the University of the Azores, Portugal, to celebrate the UN Year of Biodiversity. His topic is "Wisdom, Spirituality and Biodiversity Education". Please pray that he is able to communicate clearly and helpfully to a diverse audience.

Friday, September 10: Today marks the end of ICS's Community Fall Retreat at Manresa Spiritual Retreat Centre. The fall retreat has traditionally served as a wonderful kick-off to another year of our life together at ICS and we pray that this year will be no exception.

Monday, September 13: The first week of classes begins today! Three new courses begin: "Theories of Language and Interpretation: Gadamer, Kristeva, and Searle" with Senior Member Lambert Zuidervaart, "Christian Theologies of Art" with Senior Member Rebekah Smit and "Biblical Foundations" with Senior Member Nik Ansell. We ask for God's blessing on all the course participants.

Tuesday, September 14: Three new courses begin today: "Aristotle, Aquinas and the Scholastic Approach to the History of Philosophy" with Senior Member Bob Sweetman, "Body, Language, Power: the Question of the Human in 20th Century French Philosophy" with Senior Member Shannon Hoff, and "Philosophers on Education" with Senior Member Doug Blomberg. We offer prayers for God's blessing on all the course participants.

Wednesday, September 15: Today is the first day of Senior Member Emeritus Jim Olthuis's course "Religion, Life & Society: Reformational Philosophy". We pray for God's blessing on all the course participants.

Thursday, September 16: Two new courses begin today: "Beauty: Theology, Ethics, or Aesthetics?" with Senior Member Rebekah Smick and "To the Unknown God: Paul and Some Philosophers" with Senior Member Ron Kuipers. We ask for God's blessing on all the course participants.

Friday, September 17: Today is the first day of Senior Member Nik Ansell's course "God/Sex/Word/Flesh: Gender, Theology, and the Body". We offer prayers for God's blessing on all the course participants.

Monday, September 20: We offer prayers of gratitude and give thanks to you, the many supporters who have presented ICS with gifts of prayer, money, and expressions of appreciation, especially during the quieter summer months. We are constantly blessed with your interest and support.

Tuesday, September 21: Today the ICS Leadership Team will gather in a planning meeting for the coming year. We pray for wisdom, creative thinking and positive outcomes as we consider our upcoming goals and challenges.

Wednesday, September 22: Today is the first Academic Council meeting of the 2010-2011 academic year. We pray for God's wisdom to guide this meeting.

Thursday, September 23: Junior Member Shane Cudney's son, Spencer, is in the midst of a seven-month tour in Afghanistan serving with the Canadian military. Please continue to remember Spencer and his comrades in your prayers.

Friday, September 24: Today the new Junior Members will be making a road trip to Hamilton to visit the ICS library collection. We pray for safe travel and an informative experience for all the participants.

Monday, September 27: Please pray for the family and friends of Mary Rose O'Driscoll, a dear friend of John O'Leary (ICS Director of Development) who died suddenly in Cork, Ireland on August 30, 2010.

Tuesday, September 28: We ask God's help and guidance for all those who are doing advancement work for ICS. Please pray that support for the vision and mission of ICS continues to grow.

Wednesday, September 29: Today is the first Faculty meeting of the 2010-2011 academic year. We pray for God's wisdom to guide this meeting.

Thursday, September 30: The Bob Vander Vennen reception is this evening. We give thanks to God for this opportunity and ask that the lecture will be well received.