91精选

The 91精选 community was blessed to welcome Dr. Miroslav Volf, Dr.Theol., Henry B. Wright Professor of Systematic Theology and Founding Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, for several events on Oct. 25.

Volf discussed “Vocation and a flourishing human life” on campus and downtown Chicago as part of the College鈥檚 WorldView Series and Downtown Lecture Series.

While we live in the mundane realm, we must strive to embrace the transcendental world if we are to flourish, he said. 鈥淭he world, even the flawed world, is a gift from God,鈥� Volf told his audiences.

In his discussions, Volf explained his view of the relationship between our calling and our flourishing. 鈥淲e should affirm the goodness of everyday, ordinary life,鈥� he said. 鈥淵et the paradox is that we find ourselves alienated precisely from the things that will satisfy ourselves.鈥�

In our struggle to reconcile our calling with a flourishing life, Volf described the challenges presented by today鈥檚 age, with its emphasis on economic, educational, reputational, and aesthetic capital. 鈥淗ow much time do we spend acquiring these four modes of capital?鈥� he asked. 鈥淲e are like a dog chasing its tail.鈥�

We also tend to inflate the negative, and become blind to the good around us. We must learn to celebrate the good in life, which is given to us by God. When we become too busy to hear God鈥檚 call, we are unable to heed his message.

He compared the struggles we face with the souls in in Canto III of Dante鈥檚 鈥淧aradiso,鈥� who 鈥渙nly long for what we have.鈥�

He also cited Adam and Eve, their inability to avoid the fruit from the forbidden tree, and their decision to hide from God, who called to them, 鈥淲here are you?鈥� Volf said he believes the forbidden tree was placed it the center of the Garden of Eden to remind Adam and Eve of all the blessings they had, not to torment them with what they couldn鈥檛 have. 鈥淚t underscores that everything else is given to them. It was a reminder, not God鈥檚 perverse desire to taunt them.鈥�

Volf also suggested that his audiences rethink what they strive for and encouraged them to revisit how they view the Sabbath, and to use it as a break from striving鈥攏ot as a day to prepare to take up striving again during the rest of the week.

Volf鈥檚 lunchtime presentation was the inaugural event for the three-part Downtown Lecture Series, 鈥淲orking toward a good and satisfying life for you, your communities, and the world.鈥� The series is sponsored by 91精选, Chicago Semester, and Grace Chicago Church.

WorldView聽is 91精选鈥檚 annual community and college series for film, word, current events and music, held at the college. As part of WorldView, Dr. Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at Northern Seminary, will be on campus on Nov. 7 as the guest speaker at Chapel at 10 am, and an evening lecture at 7 pm.