Datum points in an academic mission
In order to ensure that our discussions about life, learning, and the future are in line with our beliefs, we must always refer back to the teachings of the Bible. The Bible serves as the foundation for all of our academic work and progress, providing a solid theological basis on which to build our understanding. It is important to establish this foundation before moving forward with any sort of analysis or research.
To draw a parallel, the Bible can be seen as the datum point in construction - a known point of reference that allows for further measurements and analysis. Without this reference point, the accuracy and validity of any subsequent work can be called into question. In the same way, without the Bible as our foundation, we risk straying from our core beliefs and losing sight of our ultimate goals. Therefore, it is essential that we always keep the Bible in mind as we move forward and continue to grow and learn.
Replacing house foundations can be a complex and costly process, but it is necessary for maintaining the safety and stability of the building. In some cases, simpler solutions such as repairing cracks or reinforcing the existing foundation can fix the issue. However, there are rare cases where the damage is so severe that a foundation is beyond repair and must be completely replaced.
Similarly, the theological structure that forms the basis of our conversations about life, learning, and the future is crucial for maintaining a strong and meaningful community. Oikos has accomplished a lot in the past 30 years, but just as a house foundation can weaken over time, so too can our theological foundations. Therefore, it is important to regularly examine and assess the foundation of our beliefs to ensure that it remains strong and relevant.
In my opinion, the foundations of the church have reached such a point where a radical realignment and replacement is necessary. This does not mean that everything needs to be discarded and rebuilt from scratch, but rather that we should critically evaluate our current theological structure and identify areas where it needs to be strengthened or reconfigured. By doing so, we can ensure that our conversations about life, learning, and the future are grounded in a solid and meaningful foundation that can withstand the test of time.
(1.) C-BAM project managed: Self-Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs) are models of learning in which students self-organise in online StudyGroups with minimal teacher support.
(2.) Hybrid on and off zoom: 2 hours per week per semester in an appropriate time zone for tutorials and group discussion
(3.) Linked-IN: Live as though He is coming tomorrow, Build as though He is coming in a thousand years.
If you would like to be part of the team led by Dr Preecha Jengjalern and myself up in Chiangmai, Thailand, please reach out to us as soon as you can.
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/a47ca4d0-5bf5-41fd-8474-a7fe4fef38ce/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/a47ca4d0-5bf5-41fd-8474-a7fe4fef38ce/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> Singapore - Lianne Seow Philippines - Neziel Vinuya Malaysia - Mimi Lee Indonesia - Thea Eugenie Thailand - Preecha Jengjalern
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Our academic basecamp will be at Mountain View Guesthouse in Chiangmai. Please arrive on or before Sun 3 Sept and make yourself available for 100 hours between 4 - 8 Sept during the accelerator proper. Thank-you.
