I will do my best in my research and teaching. No one or nothing will bring me down. I may change over time, but my passion for truth won't waver. I am committed to transformative teaching, accessible scholarship, and effective public service. I have to make hay while the sun is shining.
I keep thinking about what it means to be a balanced teacher, down-to-earth scholar, and authentic human being in the community and society. I have a passion for human transformation, rooted in self-knowledge and self-criticism. Traveling to many Latin American countries during my business career, I learned a great deal about cultural diversity and the need for human solidarity. What does it mean to live in this world with each other (i.e., the meaning of the Other — Emmanuel Levinas' "the face of the other," Paul Ricoeur's "inter-subjective narrative identity," or Jacques Derrida's "relationless relation")? How can we do theology in our thoughts and deeds, while moving pointedly away from individualism? And how can we read biblical stories with each other when we differ?
Teaching Philosophy
I foster and teach to engage in the knowledge of who we are in this world in which we see our diversity and differences. In my teaching, diversity is not a given but a source of critical engagement with each other. I value both a critical and self-critical stance toward any claim of knowledge, truth, and reality. I emphasize the following as pedagogical goals: learning from others, challenging one another, affirming who we are, and working for common humanity in differences. In my teaching, all in all, I communicate critical diversity and transformative identity in a variety of life contexts.
Transformation
I find the following three modes of attitude essential for human transformation:- "I am no-one" is an attitude of humility before God (the love of God).
- "I am some-one" is an attitude of agency and confidence in God (the love of self).
- "I am one-for-others" is an attitude of recommitment to others (the love of others).
Scholarship and Learning
What does it mean to be a teacher, student, and author?
- A good teacher satisfies students, a wonderful teacher teaches what they need, and an ideal teacher teaches them with love, helping them to teach themselves.
- A good student follows the teacher's instruction, a remarkable student asks critical and self-critical questions, and a formidable student knows that learning is limitless.
- A good author satisfies readers, an admirable author stimulates their interest, and an exceptional author creates new needs for them.
Research
"Research means digging into subjects deep and wise, connecting them with today's world, and thinking together about the future that is yet to unfold. Good or bad, all research projects involve certain levels of ideology. What we need is not so much objectivity as responsibility."
First-Day Advice
I am here because of you students. I am not perfect, but my passion for teaching and student success in class has always remained the same. I care for you. I care about your learning and unlearning. I believe critical study can reshape your understanding of scripture, society, church, and humanity. Writing is an essential part of rigorous study, and it is indispensable for academic success. I will do everything I can to help you prosper. I will encourage you to learn, teaching you what you need. I will also learn from you. Trust God.
Trust yourself.
Trust your instructor.
Trust each other.
Trust the process.
We are in this together.
When you feel there is no hope within you, trust God. When you think you hit the bottom of yourself, that is not the end of the story. Don't beat yourself up. Look up to heaven. Remember that you are an able student. Trust yourself. Honor your instructor, and you may learn more than you expect. Consider your peers not as competitors but as learning partners. When things go rough--through hump and bump--stay the course. Ask for help. There is always a way out if you ask. Trust the process. We are all in this together.
Adjective
My adjective is "conscientious." I listen to my inner voice as often as possible. I am meticulous in my work. Often I am impatient and imperfect. However, I am always resilient and come back to do better and more.People get their impressions of me based on what they see from me. While my colleagues tell me I am a prolific writer, students think I am thoroughly prepared. But I see myself differently. I'm always conscientious and feel like walking a tightrope.
Like a vapor, I am evanescent.Like a reed, I am wavering.Like dust, I am small.But I'm not vanity.