If it is true that nothing even remotely compares to knowing Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:8), and I believe that is true, then how does a follower of Christ handle literature? Why do we promote learning other things to such an extent? Why are we not simply studying the Scriptures constantly? It is them that point to Christ after all (John 5:39). These are questions that have hounded me for a good portion of this semester, and I am finally ready to approach an answer to them – from the example found in Acts 17.
Once we have traveled 16 verses into Acts 17, we find Paul hanging around in Athens. He was just sent away from Berea because of the angry Jewish mob that had been chasing him, and he is now waiting for Timothy and Silas to catch up. Since Paul never made a habit out of wasting time (something I need to learn from), he immediate started, “preaching Jesus and the resurrection” (17:18, ESV). Paul’s teaching apparently caught the attention of some Greek philosophers, and from verses 18 – 32 we can listen in on their dialogue. During the course of this discussion, Paul both uses their own sculptures (vv. 22-23), and quoted from a couple of their own poets, the [1]Cretan poet Epimenides, and the Cilician poet Aratus (v. 28). This should tell us two things: firstly, that Paul knew the current poets of his time, and secondly, that Paul used those poets as a door to reach people with the gospel.
This has convicted me personally, both with the amount that I interact with literature, and with what I do with it. Here at the library, we have a massive supply of books ranging from literary classics to biblical commentaries. I believe, as good stewards of the time God has given us, that we should engage ourselves deeply in both. During our time Philadelphia Biblical University, we have an incredible opportunity to gain knowledge about Christ, and the world He has called us to minister in. Let’s engage carefully, and thoughtfully, in literature. That way, when the time arises, we can be like Paul and use the world around us start conversations about Jesus – the only knowledge that truly matters.
The new database is named ARTSTOR. Its' digital library is made up of more than one million images. Although a database of images may not seem entirely helpful when your task is to find how culture and values are represented in various art pieces, I found it to be extremely beneficial.
Last weekend I was working on my project studying Greek art. Using JSTOR, another helpful database, I found the sculpture that I planned to study, but I could not find a picture of it in color anywhere on JSTOR. Since I needed to print the picture in color for the assignment, I immediately felt frustrated and wondered if I would have to pick a new art piece altogether. Thankfully, I decided to take a quick peak on ARTSTOR and I am so glad I did. Within seconds of typing my sculpture’s name into the search bar I was given many choices of my sculpture IN COLOR! I even squealed a little bit in excitement…or maybe it was relief.
So, go on the library website, click online databases, click ARTSTOR, click “go” on the pop up, type in your subject, and get going! There are even fancy little pamphlets at the library front desk if you want some more information.
Worry no longer, my friends about those Lit and Arts projects. ARTSTOR can save the day.
~Christa Joy Ciotta
Sikyon, Euthychides Of. Tyche of Antioch. Digital image. ARTstor. Italian and Other European Art (Scala Archives). Web. 7 Dec. 2010.
Has the thought of not being able to use the library over the holiday break got you down?.....
It’s hard to believe it, but the holidays are approaching ever so quickly. To most students, this means finally being able to catch all of those ZZZZ’s that were missed during the semester. However, there are a few who just can’t seem to get rid of the school bug. For those of you who just have a hankering to do some sort of research over the break (holiday related maybe), I have some FANTASTIC news for you! The PBU Online Databases are AMAZING!!! I’m sure by now you are extremely tired of hearing about online databases and how beneficial they are…blah, blah, blah. It is a topic that has almost worn out its welcome. I am here though, to tell you that the online databases, JSTOR in particular, have been my lifesavers throughout this semester. I was assigned many projects this semester that required art pictures as well as analysis of them. I was at a loss to know how and where to find them until I stumbled across JSTOR. We as students at PBU have so much knowledge and information right at our fingertips, but I find that we don’t often use it. This is just another reminder that the online databases are WONDERFUL, and should be used for any type of research!
One last note on these resources…Did you know that some database platforms will formulate a citation for you?! One that I have found that does this is EBSCO Host. This is just another one of the many reasons why you MUST try out the online databases! Have fun with it!
~Denae
During this time of Thanksgiving, one of the many things I’m thankful for is the…
Multitude of resources which
Aid with research projects and
Study sessions on
Long, stressful nights
Alone or with a group of friends.
Never a dull moment surrounded by
Dozens of books, papers or maybe sitting at one of the
Lab stations trying to finish up the last few sentences of your paper before you print it.
I love working at the library
Because I
Really enjoy helping others,
And I get to work with all the many
Rich resources our library holds.
You never know what surprises might be waiting for you on those shelves!
- ~Allison Beyer
Veterans Day, what is it and how did we come to make it a national holiday? As this holiday was approaching I wondered what people thought of it and if they really knew what it was. Do people actually acknowledge this day or is it just another day that has some benefits for us? Can we say that we truly know what this holiday is and what it represents? To be honest I did not really know what it was until last week. I knew it was a holiday to celebrate those who had fought in wars but nothing more than that, which is a shame. For that reason I researched it some more.
Our country has been in many wars and many men and women have given their lives for the freedom and liberty that we have in the United States. It is amazing how many people fought for the country and cause that they believed in whether it was in the World War I or II, Vietnam, the Gulf War, or even the war we are in now. People see a cause that they want to stand for and they want to protect the rights and freedom of their fellow citizens and so they fight. Veterans Day is not only about those who died or only about the veterans still alive but all veterans past and present. It was first created for those who fought in World War I and even then it was not a national holiday nor was it called Veterans Day but rather Armistice Day. President Wilson declared November 11, 1919 the first Armistice Day saying,
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride
in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the
victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the
opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the
councils of the nations…"
This is definitely something to reflect on and to be thankful for that people were willing and are willing to put their lives in danger for this country, a cause, and for people they may not even know. That is why we celebrate the veterans of the wars because they have fought for the freedom and liberty that we now have and even for other countries that may not have had it. They fought against an injustice in order to make the situation right.
So I challenge you to not take this holiday for granted. Acknowledge Veterans Day for what it really is, a day to remember those who fought for the freedoms and liberties we have so freely.
~ Sara Garms
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