“Academic Work as Incarnational Work: A match made at Hope College”

Modern economists often apply their theoretical and methodological methods to questions long explored by other social scientists. This practice has drawn criticism towards the “economic imperialists” who study topics outside what is conventionally considered economic life. In this talk, Dr. Silveus reflects on his work as an applied microeconomist studying prisoner reentry, refugee resettlement, and religious responses to public policy. The Christian doctrine of the incarnation provides a model for how scholars can engage in cross-disciplinary topics as well as take on the dual identity of scholar and teacher. Hope College provides fertile ground for engaging this work.

This lecture is part of the Continuum Scholars Faculty Development Program: an inter-divisional cohort of pre-tenure faculty members who met last summer to discuss theological perspectives on the vocation of scholarship, the current state of theological reflection and engagement in their research fields and disciplines, and the ecumenical continuum of theological perspectives through which our colleagues both at Hope College and within higher education approach their own scholarship. Our goal through this program and these lectures is to build a community committed to an ongoing conversation about faith, vocation, and scholarship. We hope that you will be part of it.