Biola University Research Articles

From Believing in Miracles to Contending for Miracles: A Response to Craig Keener

This article responds to Craig Keener’s opening article in a special issue, originating with a Holy Spirit Symposium, Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, Biola University, October 27, 2023. Keener presents historical, theological, and philosophical reasons to accept intellectually that miracles are credible. My response shifts focus to three psychological and pastoral questions. First, given that many Christians do affirm belief in miracles, why do relatively few Christians—at least in the Global North—pray regularly, expectantly, and persistently for miraculous healing? Second, what are the costs of this gap between beliefs and practices? Third, how might more Christians move from believing in miracles to contending for miracles? I argue that it is insufficient for Christians to believe in the credibility of miracles; the church needs to make it a priority to contend for miracles.

Empowered Evangelism in Medicalized Cultures: A Second Response to Craig Keener

This article responds to Craig Keener’s closing article in a special issue, originating with a Holy Spirit Symposium, Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, Biola University, October 27, 2023. Keener argues that the Holy Spirit empowers the church for cross-cultural evangelism through the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy. My response asks what empowered evangelism looks like in medicalized cultures like that of the United States. I argue that the church can more effectively cross the cultural barriers of medical science by learning to prophesy in “medical tongues”—communicating the gospel in the language, and backed by the evidence, of medical science. It is insufficient for Christians to testify to miracles; the church also needs to make it a priority to document miracles medically.

Christian Contemplative Prayer: An Embodied Spirituality of Healing and Well-Being Through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Within Christian spirituality, contemplative prayer practice is rooted in scriptural teachings, ancient practices, and intentional silent awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Despite the growing popularity of this embodied spiritual practice, limited empirical evidence exists investigating its effects on Christian contemplative prayer practitioners. This grounded theory study explored the long-term (2 to 40+ years) lived experience of thirty-six practitioners. Findings conceptualized the property of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit as it analytically emerged from its four dimensions including: Holistic Healing, Spiritual Formation, Soul Care, and Faith. These findings help to further develop Holley’s substantive theory integrating Christian contemplative prayer, Well-being, and Embodiment, bringing greater understanding to practitioners, minsters, and scholars alike. The findings were also part of the Holy Spirit Symposium (Biola University’s 2023), which presented an integration of various aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of healing within the body.

Conversations of Hope in a Culture of Crisis

In the late 1990s, linguist Deborah Tannen argued that America had become an “argument culture” characterized by an adversarial frame of mind when approaching the world and the people in it. Recent events appear to have added apocalyptic fears (not entirely unfounded) to our adversarial approach. How can we talk to each other in such a communication climate? The Winsome Conviction Project was launched in early 2020 at Biola University to help improve our conversations both internally and in our community at large. The Winsome Conviction Project encourages civility, but is even more concerned about the effective communication of deeply held convictions. Particularly important is helping people articulate their convictions, including their backstory, reasons, and doubts. We have hosted large public conversations, small group discussions between people with conflicting convictions, and discussion groups that probe contested issues and help people develop well-formed convictions. This paper will: (1) give a short overview of key challenges we faced (both institutionally and culturally), (2) describe how the Winsome Conviction Project engaged and responded to these challenges, and (3) summarize some provisional lessons to be drawn from our experience.

Practising intellectual humility without compromising strongly held convictions

Practising intellectual humility without compromising strongly held convictions Here is the second part of the discussion of bridging the cultural divide in social discourse, Peter C. Hill at Biola University looks at intellectual humility with consideration to one's convictions. Surely many of us have found ourselves at some point in the delicate position of discussing a contentious social issue about which we have a clear and fervently held idea of what is correct with someone who is equally fervent in holding an opposite opinion. Such disagreements can carry with them the significant divisive potential that challenges, at a micro level, peaceful coexistence among friends or family members and, at the macro level, a profound social and political polarization within a democratic society. How can such a factional tendency be countered without compromising one's strongly held-convictions?

Bridging the cultural divide in social discourse: The role of intellectual humility

Bridging the cultural divide in social discourse: The role of intellectual humility Peter C. Hill, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Office of Academic Research and Grants, Biola University, sheds light on the role of intellectual humility when it comes to bridging the cultural divide in social discourse. Here Professor Hill explores what is at the heart of the social discourse and the problems that are continuing to divide humanity. This piece touches on how to conceptualise humility and intellectual humility whilst addressing the influence of ongoing international disputes and differing opinions.

Supporting the Generation Z Nursing Student.

Electra Allen, MSN, RN, CPN, teaches nursing at Biola University, La Mirada, CA, and is an active leader in her church in Southern California. She is a member of Nurses Christian Fellowship, Sigma Theta Tau International, and her scholarship interests include generational characteristics and holistic support for students. The author declares no conflict of interest.

Maintaining Service while Sheltering in Place

California has consistently been at the forefront of COVID-19 cases in the United States and had stringent regulations to slow the curve and save lives. These regulations have had a dramatic impact on academic libraries in Southern California, with many universities conducting online Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. This presentation includes: An introduction to California COVID-19 restrictions. An overview of how SCATLA (Southern California Theological Library Association) libraries have dealt with the COVID-19 restrictions. A deep dive into how several SCATLA libraries - Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Hope International University, and Loyola Marymount University - implemented creative solutions to support their communities during COVID-19 restrictions. Issues of budget, instruction, online support, staffing, physical materials vs online materials, mailing services, and space are discussed in detail. Plans for future policies and services in a world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation Of Sitting Time On Faculty And Staff In A Small Private University

Sedentary Death Syndrome (SeDS) is the 2nd greatest, yet preventable threat to public health, resulting in multiple chronic diseases and millions of premature deaths annually. Work-related environmental conditions have been implicated as factors related to declines in physical activity (PA) in the United States and abroad. Staff and faculty in a university setting may experience greater quantity of sitting time at work, which would impair the ability to achieve recommended daily levels of PA. Few studies exist that have evaluated sitting levels among university personnel. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to explore sitting levels among working members of Biola University. METHODS: Eligible survey respondents (N = 393) were men (n = 154, 44.9 ± 12.8 years of age, 178.7 ± 8.3cm in height, 85.3 ± 15.0kg in weight, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 ± 4.5kg/m2) and women (n = 239, 40.9 ± 13.1 years of age, 164.9 ± 8.1cm in height, 69.2 ± 15.5kg in weight, and an average BMI of 25.56 ± 6.1kg. kg/m2) who are employees of Biola University. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), using the Survey Monkey® platform. Distinction between faculty and staff positions were made along with job type and educational status. Total sitting min/day on a weekday and on a weekend were gathered and used to calculate total weekly sitting minutes and average sitting min/day. Kruskal-Wallis Independent Samples testing was employed to assess group differences. RESULTS: Weekday, weekly and daily average sitting minutes between staff and faculty were significantly (p < 0.05) different. Women employees’(187.84 min/day) weekday sitting was significantly (p < .014) greater than men’s (137.84 min/day). Average daily sitting was significantly (p < .002) different for level of education attained, with masters (157.07 min/day) and doctorate (165.27 min/day) employees sitting less than those with a 2-yr college degree (247.44 min/day). There were no differences in total minutes of sitting on the weekend between faculty and staff, gender, job type or educational status. CONCLUSIONS: Clear discrepancy in PA exists between staff and faculty, men and women and educational attainment. Thus necessitating targeted interventions for the increase of PA on University campuses.

Information about Call for Papers: Experimental psychology and the notion of personhood

Special Issue of Scientia et Fides Experimental psychology and the notion of personhood Editors: Scott Harrower (Ridley College, Australia), Ryan Peterson (Biola University, USA) Juan F. Franck (Universidad Austral, Argentina) Call for Papers The proposed Special Issue of Scientia et Fides aims at documenting and promoting high level integrative work that extends the insights of psychological science into the philosophical and theological discussions of what is a person. Psychological science is based upon empirical research and concepts that justifiably arise from data. It often requires the revision of previous models by asking new questions, thereby opening up new avenues for exploration in theological and philosophical debates that have gotten bogged down. Theology and philosophy would be thus greatly strengthened if these disciplines were able to warrant their claims and also nuance these based upon the findings of psychological science. There has been some remarkable mutual interdisciplinary enrichment in the study of free will, agency, moral attitudes, character building, and religious beliefs. This Special Issue capitalizes on the fruitfulness of such previous work, inviting cross-disciplinary studies on the relevance and import of psychological science for renovating philosophical and theological discussions on personhood. Philosophers, theologians and psychologists (especially those in the developmental and social fields), share a common interest in the notion of personhood. It is an anchor point that supports a rich phenomenological description of our human experience (embodiment, subjectivity, interiority, relationality, spirituality, morality and transcendence), it accounts for the metaphysical place of man in the great chain of being, and it also reflects the presence of the divine, thus illuminating the foundations of religion. The present call for papers welcomes a wide variety of views and subjects. It aims at overcoming the sterility of overly strict epistemological divides, at the same time as recognizing some necessary methodological distinctions. It therefore endeavors to contribute to an expanded exercise of reason, bringing together mutually illuminating research methodologies. Papers submitted for review will reflect the present state of the art of debates and studies at the intersection of these fields, and will typically consist in either of the following, or a combination thereof: (1) theoretical or conceptual discussions that show why a fruitful engagement between experimental psychology and philosophy and/or theology can specifically advance our understanding of personhood; (2) specific contributions of psychological science that illuminate, enrich, challenge or nuance a particular notion of personhood; (3) claims and arguments drawn from philosophical or theological knowledge, which could open up new paths for collaborative work with experimental psychology. Contributions in English, Spanish, Polish, German, French, Italian, or Portuguese, addressing abovementioned or related topics, may be submitted (after registration) on the journal’s website: http://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/SetF/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions For further information, please contact the editors of the Special Issue at: piotrroszak@umk.pl The submission deadline is 31 May 2021 .

The Impact of Zebrafish Research on Student Development at a Small Liberal Arts University

Executing high‐level research at a small, liberal arts college in southern California is seen as a daunting task due to limited resources and funds. Unlike larger institutions that have teams of paid lab managers and personnel, Dr. Hyuna Lee’s zebrafish lab at Biola University is run solely by undergraduate students. The team performs zebrafish husbandry and conducts in‐depth experiments throughout the academic year, attaining hands‐on experience that cultivates their ability to utilize creativity and critical thinking in a laboratory setting. The zebrafish lab also collaborates with other departments within the School of Science Technology and Health at Biola University. For instance, students work with the Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering (CPE) department and the Biology department’s microbiology and parasitology laboratory courses. The students in the CPE department previously utilized their state‐of‐the‐art fabrication lab to design and construct customized research devices‐‐such as an optokinetic drum, multiple imaging devices, and a brine shrimp hatchery. The Biology department’s microbiology and parasitology laboratories investigated water samples from the aquatic housing system to identify potential threats to the health of the zebrafish population. To better understand how participation in the lab impacts individual development, the team generated a pilot survey to collect data on student perception and experience with research at Biola University. The data demonstrates a strong correlation between participation in directed research and positive experience with research and course labs. The study also suggests that directed research students have more personal and professional development in the sciences than students who have not participated in research. Working in an independent, student‐run facility with inter‐departmental collaboration seems to be an efficacious method to enhance student satisfaction, research appreciation, and department success within the undergraduate population.Support or Funding InformationNone.

Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying the Link Between Diabetes and Cancer

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases, with its prevalence having increased significantly over the last two decades. A growing number of evidence indicates a higher risk of cancer among patients with diabetes, but the mechanisms underlying the link between diabetes and cancer remain elusive. Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) is a key metabolic abnormality that characterizes diabetes, and could potentially play a role in the pathogenic process of cancer. This study aims to investigate the effects of hyperglycemic conditions on cancer development and progression. The results of cell proliferation assays support cancer‐promoting effects of hyperglycemic conditions in SW620 colorectal cancer cells. High‐glucose treatments, however, did not have any effect on the rate of apoptotic cell death. Analysis of selected RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) revealed expression changes of the RBPs involved in the methylation of adenosine at the nitrogen‐6 position (N6A) in RNA in response to elevated glucose levels. In line with these changes, there were alterations in N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) levels in high glucose‐treated SW620 cells compared to control cells exposed to normal glucose conditions. Our study also suggests that hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Given that elevated levels of ROS and m6A RNA methylation have been significantly implicated in human cancer, oxidative stress and altered m6A levels caused by dysregulation of the RBPs involved in m6A modification may play, at least, a partial role in diabetes‐induced cancer, which warrants future exploration. Collectively, our study provides potentially important insight that could add to the understanding of the mechanisms explaining the link between diabetes and cancer.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the Stewart Science Honors Program, the School of Science, Technology and Health, and the Department of Biological Sciences at Biola University, CA, USA.

A Fourth Ælfrician Commonplace Book? Vestiges in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 190

Research Article| January 01 2019 A Fourth Ælfrician Commonplace Book? Vestiges in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 190 Aaron J Kleist Aaron J Kleist Biola University Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google The Journal of English and Germanic Philology (2019) 118 (1): 31–72. https://doi.org/10.5406/jenglgermphil.118.1.0031 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Permissions Search Site Citation Aaron J Kleist; A Fourth Ælfrician Commonplace Book? Vestiges in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 190. The Journal of English and Germanic Philology 1 January 2019; 118 (1): 31–72. doi: https://doi.org/10.5406/jenglgermphil.118.1.0031 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All Scholarly Publishing CollectiveUniversity of Illinois PressThe Journal of English and Germanic Philology Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. Copyright 2019 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois2019 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

The University Faculty Physical Activity Inventory (UFPAI): A Preliminary Assessment of Physical Activity among Faculty at a Private University

Physical activity (PA) is decreasing, with the work environment being particularly influential on reduction in PA. However, physically active lifestyles meeting or exceeding 150 minutes/week have been linked to reductions in multiple deleterious chronic health conditions. University educators are inundated with University work as well as promotional challenges that may act as barriers to achieving recommended daily levels of PA. Currently, very few research studies have evaluated PA among University faculty. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory investigation was to evaluate self-reported levels of PA among faculty members at Biola University. Eligible survey respondents (N = 138) were men (n = 72, 48.7 ± 11.7 years of age, 179.3 ± 8.5 centimeters in height, 86.3 ± 16.1 kilograms in weight, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 26.8 ± 4.6 kg/m2) and women (n = 66, 44.8 ± 11.7 years of age, 166.2 ± 8.2 centimeters in height, 69.3 ± 13.2 kilograms in weight, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.1 ± 4.8 kg/m2) faculty members from Biola University. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), using the SurveyMonkey® platform. Total daily sitting time and metabolic equivalent (MET) minute activity-specific (leisure, household, occupational, and transport) were calculated. One way ANOVAs revealed significant (p = 0.02) main effects for job title and total minutes of PA per week. The post-hoc analysis revealed that adjuncts were significantly more physically active than full professors. Although the only statistically significant differences were between adjuncts and full professors, we observed a downward trend in median physical activity. Independent measures t-tests revealed a significant (p = 0.004) difference between men and women for total minutes of PA per week. Women were significantly more physically active than men. Only 5.1% of faculty reported below 150 min of cumulative PA within a week. Total median PA for faculty was 3,133.5 MET*min/week. 52.9% of faculty reported a high categorical score above 3,000.0 MET*min/week of activity with a median of 4,757.0 MET*min/week. Of the four domains, leisure activity had the greatest median at 1,169.5 MET*min/week and active transport had the least at 462.0 MET*min/week. Faculty surveyed in this study exceeded the ACSM minimum weekly recommendations for PA and lower faculty ranks were the most active.

Karawaci Conference on Christian Response to Global Heath Issues

Conference The International Conference on Christian Response to Global Heath Issues co-hosted by Biola University (USA) and the Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH, Indonesia) was held in the UPH campus, Karawaci, from December 2-4, 2015 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This conference was designed to bring together healthcare workers from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from chaplaincy, bioethics, academics, as well as those working with economic disparity and emerging healthcare issues. Thus, Christians involved in theology, bioethics, cutting edge technology, and research in prevention, cure, and quality of life improvement came to share and present their experiences. There was significant representation from major Christian healthcare missionary organizations, internationally renowned theologians, and academics in bioethics and clinical pastoral care. Christian healthcare workers from 13 different countries participated. Around 300 fulltime and part-time delegates attended the conference over two days. The conference opened on the afternoon of Dec 2nd, with the leaders prayerfully setting the tone for the conference with opening addresses that challenged the participants to think together on the importance of Christ-centered healthcare in response to needs across the world today. This was followed by Indonesian cultural entertainment by UPH students and an opportunity for all delegates to meet one another informally over dinner. Themes for Key Note addresses, Oral Presentations, Breakout Sessions, and Panel Discussions

Jerry L. Walls, Purgatory: The Logic of Total Transformation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012, 224pp. £22.50 / $35.00

International Journal of Systematic TheologyVolume 17, Issue 4 p. 469-472 Review Jerry L. Walls, Purgatory: The Logic of Total Transformation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012, 224pp. £22.50 / $35.00 Matt Jenson, Matt Jenson Biola University, La Mirada, CASearch for more papers by this author Matt Jenson, Matt Jenson Biola University, La Mirada, CASearch for more papers by this author First published: 26 September 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/ijst.12060Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Volume17, Issue4October 2015Pages 469-472 RelatedInformation

The Splintered Divine: A Study of Ištar, Baal, and Yahweh Divine Names and Divine Multiplicity in the Ancient Near East

Book Review| January 01 2015 The Splintered Divine: A Study of Ištar, Baal, and Yahweh Divine Names and Divine Multiplicity in the Ancient Near East Allen, Spencer L.. The Splintered Divine: A Study of Ištar, Baal, and Yahweh Divine Names and Divine Multiplicity in the Ancient Near East. Studies in Ancient Near Eastern Records 5. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2015. Pp. xxi + 457. ISBN 978-1-61451-293-6. $154.00 cloth. Charlie Trimm Charlie Trimm Biola University Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Bulletin for Biblical Research (2015) 25 (4): 549–551. https://doi.org/10.5325/bullbiblrese.25.4.0549 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Charlie Trimm; The Splintered Divine: A Study of Ištar, Baal, and Yahweh Divine Names and Divine Multiplicity in the Ancient Near East. Bulletin for Biblical Research 1 January 2015; 25 (4): 549–551. doi: https://doi.org/10.5325/bullbiblrese.25.4.0549 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All Scholarly Publishing CollectivePenn State University PressBulletin for Biblical Research Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. Copyright © 2015 by The Institute for Biblical Research, Inc. All rights reserved.2015The Institute for Biblical Research Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Intensive use of primary literature in science courses can supplement and prepare undergraduate students for laboratory‐based jobs and graduate programs (1020.7)

Many schools across America, particularly smaller, liberal arts, undergraduate‐intensive schools, may lack the human and capital resources necessary to fully prepare science, pre‐medical, and nutrition undergraduates for the job market or graduate school, as laboratory techniques and critical research skills are coveted by employers and graduate school admissions committees alike. As such, it is the responsibility of the undergraduate department to seek creative avenues of supplementing normal lecture and laboratory classes with opportunities for students to interact with widely employed biological techniques and current topics in medicine and nutrition. As a result of this need, the CREATE strategy (consider, read, elucidate hypotheses, analyze and interpret the data, and think of the next experiment) has proven effective in undergraduate science education. Herein described is, for the first time, the application of the CREATE strategy to upper division courses at Biola University, and measurable outcomes related to student learning, preparedness, critical thinking, and satisfaction. Overall, it is clear that the CREATE strategy can help students become more well‐rounded and better prepared technicians and critical thinkers, particularly in atmospheres where laboratory research opportunities are minimal.

Does Donor Support Help or Hinder Business as Mission Practitioners? An Empirical Assessment

January 2014 Steven L. Rundle is professor of economics at Biola University. He is the author (with Tom Steffen) of Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions (InterVarsity Press, 2003) and editor of Economic Justice in a Flat World: Christian Perspectives on Globalization (InterVarsity Press, 2009). —steve.rundle@biola.edu M attention has been given in recent years to the role of business in missions. Often called “business as mission” (BAM), the integration of business and missions presents new opportunities and raises new questions for mission scholars. It represents an opportunity in that BAM is the only ministry or mission strategy that has the potential to create wealth and support itself. All other ministries in various ways must transfer wealth from one group (individual donors, governments, and so forth) to another to stay afloat. Yet this self-supporting aspect also raises some important theological, legal, and economic questions. Theologically, it requires Christians to develop an understanding of how business relates to missio Dei. Legally, those conducting BAM within the context of a government-approved charity must exercise great care to avoid violating the law. Economically, since BAM is essentially a for-profit ministry, it raises many questions about how to structure and manage such a ministry for maximum impact. This article focuses on the economic question, specifically the role—good or bad—of economic incentives within a BAM context. A concern held by many mission leaders is that economic incentives, if left unchecked, can cause practitioners to lose sight of their ministry goals. Indeed, this fear underlies the advice often given to missionary-practitioners that they should keep their businesses small and continue to draw donor support rather than become dependent on the business for their salaries. The findings of this study do not support this concern. Based on a survey of 119 BAM practitioners, it finds that donor-supported practitioners are no more effective in producing spiritual fruit than their business-supported peers. Furthermore, in terms of other kinds of “fruit,” business-supported practitioners report significantly better results. This difference may partially be a function of firm size—donor-supported BAM practitioners tend to have smaller businesses than business-supported practitioners and are therefore likely to have regular contact with fewer people. Conversely, a thriving, highly visible business has greater transformative potential than a struggling, low-profile business. The evidence presented in this article suggests that, for a BAM business to have a meaningful impact in a community, it should be structured and incentivized much like a “regular” business, which includes (1) an independent board of directors and (2) salaries that are based, at least in part, on the company’s performance. We consider first the definition and goals of a BAM business, followed by a review of previous empirical work in this area. Does Donor Support Help or Hinder Business as Mission Practitioners? An Empirical Assessment

A Letter from Biola Alumni to Barry Corey, President of Biola University

A Letter from Biola Alumni to Barry Corey, President of Biola University