By: Greg McMullen on September 5, 2023
I have different views on AI than most Pentecostals, especially those in my community. I simply see AI as a tool such as a hammer, tape measure, speed square and nothing more, as each tool is an incredible help in accomplishing a task or project. I believe AI is very similar to the good and…
By: David Beavis on September 4, 2023
Much is written on the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory. There is a curve with five kinds of people distributed. They are the innovators, the early adopters, early majority, late majority, and the laggers.[1] Everything inside of me wants to think of myself as an innovator or early adopter. My track-record says late majority or…
By: Kristy Newport on September 4, 2023
How might Artificial Intelligence present dangers, limitations, or possibilities in my academic pursuit? I will attempt to answer this question in this blog. I have not been acquainted with AI and how I might make use of it as a student prior to this assignment. It was helpful to look at definitions of AI. “AI,…
By: Becca Hald on September 4, 2023
My husband and I recently had dinner with a close friend and his twelve year old son, Johnny.[1] We started talking about Chat GPT. Johnny told us that one of his classmates claimed to have used Chat GPT for every assignment the previous year with great success. I know Johnny to be prone to exaggeration.…
By: Chad McSwain on September 2, 2023
It is true that Americans do not know what old is. My teenage children often say that I am “old” after all. Ageism aside, being a sub-250 year old country, does not lend one to truly fathom the age and history of a 1,111 year old (or more) city like Oxford [1]. It can certainly…
By: Jean de Dieu Ndahiriwe on September 2, 2023
Introduction: I have greatly admired and appreciated the UK’s Christianity and missionary work even though I haven’t been able to visit and spend sufficient time in the country. I am so glad to be heading to Oxford in a few weeks. There is no better introduction to the City than Paul Sullivan’s Secret History of…
By: Michael O'Neill on September 1, 2023
The Secret History of Oxford by Paul Sullivan stands as a remarkable testament to the legacy of Oxford. Sullivan illustrates the evolution of an iconic city and unveils Oxford’s rich history rooted in academia, government, leadership, religion, and culture. There is some debate regarding “grey areas” of Oxford’s history, however, few if any could argue…
By: Jenny Steinbrenner Hale on August 31, 2023
As we approach our Fall 2023 Advance, I find myself knowing very little about our destination, Oxford. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available through which to learn about this region of deep history, culture, and fascinating reputation. One such resource is The Secret History of Oxford, by Paul Sullivan. A Summary of Sullivan…
By: Sara Taylor Lattimore on August 31, 2023
The time for a new year and a new trip has arrived. This year Oxford will be the destination. A place I hope to come to love. Agendaless Leading up to our advance I find myself filling with anxiety and overwhelm. I will be traveling far away from my family once again to a place…
By: Greg McMullen on August 30, 2023
Through the Covid Pandemic also known as a black swan event, we can glean greatly from Nassim Nicholas book The Black Swan.[1] I found myself in a place of needing to sit a little longer and try something new, which was drinking tea. In the lounge of the hotel I sat and enjoyed good company…
By: David Beavis on August 30, 2023
It was the summer before my 8th grade year. My mother and I served in childcare at a Christian conference for missionaries held at The University of Exeter. Before we arrived at Exeter we spent a few days in London. As a 13-year-old, my impression was London was a place rich with history. There was…
By: Becca Hald on August 28, 2023
Oxford will always be a symbol to me of my husband’s incredible faith in me and support for me. It is the reason I am in the Doctor of Leadership Program at Portland Seminary. In 2013, when I was in graduate school, I had the opportunity to spend a week in Oxford for a class.…
By: Shonell Dillon on August 26, 2023
Leading with Nothing to Lose The movie Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning finally came out this year after much anticipation. I can only speak for myself, but I am a Tom Cruise fan. Some have not-so-good opinions about his personal life but as an actor, I like him. I remember when the film was being filmed…
By: Shonell Dillon on August 25, 2023
I searched the internet to see pictures of what was described in the reading. It was not the stories that ignited the search but more of the physical look at the place. I found some very interesting pictures. When I came upon the pictures of what was read to be a dining hall, I had…
By: Audrey Robinson on August 24, 2023
Endeavor, Lewis, and Morse I’ll spend a few minutes providing a brief synopsis for those unfamiliar with who or what these three words mean. The words are titles of a top-rated, long-running series based on a fictional character, Inspector Morse, and his partner/mentee, Lewis. Their names represent three standalone series with three different lead characters.…
By: Tonette Kellett on August 20, 2023
In preparing for our trip to Oxford in September, I found the book, The Secret History of Oxford by Paul Sullivan, to be interesting. For instance, I had no idea that Oxford was made up of forty-four colleges. [1] Nor did I truthfully realize until reading through chapters two and three all of the famous…
By: Kristy Newport on August 15, 2023
When I pull into my driveway, I arrive at 4332 Morning Brook Court, Stockton, California. This is a special place: it is home. The physical locality of my home has some significance, but not so much as the people who I know in my home. When I walk through my front door, what gives me…
By: Daron George on April 28, 2023
Introduction In an age where information is abundant and opinions often need to be corrected for facts, understanding the actual state of the world can be challenging. Hans Rosling and Anna Rosling Rönnlund’s work, “Factfulness,” seeks to shed light on the actual conditions of our global society and combat the misconceptions that often cloud our…
By: Daron George on April 28, 2023
Introduction The relationship between religion, economic systems, and social change has long been a subject of interest and debate among scholars and those that practice religion. Understanding the complex interplay between these forces is crucial for grasping the implications of economic transformations on societies and their core values. In our readings for this week we…
By: Jenny Steinbrenner Hale on April 28, 2023
The Journey I’ve been on a journey this week. Leaving Portland last Sunday, I traveled from Oregon through Washington, to Missoula, Montana, where I helped my son, Zeph, pack up his apartment and drive south to California to start a new job and a new life era. Our caravan consisted of one large U-Haul, two…
