University and college faculty who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives and vocations often find themselves feeling like a small cognitive minority in the academic world. They are not understood by their colleagues, and sometimes find themselves the object of ridicule and exclusion. But this experience is actually quite common for serious Christian disciples. Our Lord speaks in quite stark terms to our status as his followers:
bq.If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you, “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours as well. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. John 15:18-21

I Peter speaks to the tensions and challenges raised by our belonging to the Lord Jesus in a more extended fashion than any other of the NT writings. Like the saying of Jesus we have just looked at, it sees both the resistance from our surroundings, the potential for suffering, the opportunity for service, and the God-given resources of serious Christian disciples. Indeed, it affords us a distinctive posture for thinking about the relationship of Christian faith and our calling to form culture to the glory of God. This portfolio of resources aims to direct individuals and groups into embracing those resources and opportunities, so that we can “flourish and be a redeeming influence among the people, ideas, and structure of the academy.”

A list of the contents of the portfolio and some brief comments about them appears below. These comments will suggest ways to use the portfolio as a guide for discussion in a small group or for individual study and reflection. Most of these resources were developed for use in conference for Christian faculty during the summer of 2009. Indeed, the themes and locations of those conferences are indicated in several of the portfolio documents. If you find these resources of help, you might consider joining us for InterVarsity faculty conferences in future summers.

A reflection and discussion guide for I Peter

This discussion guide is the main resource for study of the text of I Peter. Often there are more questions than could be well addressed in a single small group gathering, so you will need to make some choices about what to include for your meeting. You could spend more than one meeting on a given section of I Peter as well.

Three supporting articles, available on the internet

Each of these articles are worthy of discussion by Christian faculty seeking to follow Christ in their vocations. The first two are valuable resources for interpreting I Peter, while the third relates to the theme of opposition and suffering in the letter. Suggestions for reading in a discussion group that is working through I Peter are included below.

1. Bruce Winter, ’Seek the Welfare of the City:’ Social Ethics according to I Peter.

A proposal for the background and setting of I Peter, with an overview of the letter. Useful to read with discussion #1 in the discussion guide.

2. Miroslav Volf, “Soft Difference: Theological Reflections on the Relation Between Church and Culture in 1 Peter.”

A critical assessment of the interpretation of I Peter, an analysis of the intellectual foundations of more standard treatments, and a theological interpretation of the letter with a view to understanding its view of the relationship between faithful Christian disciples and their surrounding culture. A brilliant work of Biblical interpretation and Christian scholarship, and a valuable guide to faithful Christians as they seek to do visible good works and glorify God. Makes an excellent reading in tandem with the discussion #3 in the guide.

3. Gilbert Meilaender, “On bringing one’s life to a point.”

The personal narrative of the gratuitous opposition to a Christian faculty member and account of the value of his suffering of opposition in the wise providence of God. Makes interesting reading with study #4 or #5 in the discussion guide.

A guide for personal Bible reading, reflection, and prayer to be used in conjunction with a study of I Peter

This quiet time guide is centered in the Psalms that speak about pilgrimage and exile. It was designed for use in a week-long faculty conference that was studying I Peter in its plenary sessions. But it could profitably be used in a variety of formats, and includes some exercises for corporate prayer that would be of use for both individuals and small groups.

Conclusion

“Tolle, lege! Tolle, lege!” Augustine heard the mysterious voice say. “Take, read!” repeated to impart a sense of urgency. He picked up his Bible with alacrity, and was immediately confronted with the life giving word of God. The scene is depicted above in a fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli, produced in 1465. In this event we see the spiritual and intellectual making of one of the greats of the Christian intellectual tradition. Our intent is to say the same, “Take and read,” not so much about this set of resources as the word of life in I Peter. May we, too, be confronted with the word of our God and be directed into the Way, with renewed joy and peace.

Thomas Trevethan is a veteran InterVarsity staff worker who has served at the University of Michigan for many years, now working with faculty on that campus. He is one of InterVarsity’s most gifted Bible expositors and has also authored the books The Beauty of God’s Holiness (InterVarsity Press) and Our Joyful Confidence: The Lordship of Jesus in Colossians (DILL Press). Tom holds an M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Barb live in Ann Arbor.