Derek C. Schuurman

Nov 5, 2024 | relevantmagazine.com | Derek C. Schuurman

It’s tempting to think of our use of AI as a modern problem. It’s not. The “problem” with AI is just the problem of the human heart. It’s the oldest problem we’ve ever tried to solve. It’s also the only problem we know with certainty — if we’re Christians — that we can’t solve on our own. But what we can do is work to train ourselves and those developing AI to use it more ethically, virtuously and sustainably.

Nov 4, 2024 | christianscholars.com | Derek C. Schuurman

The other day, I chatted with C.S. Lewis. The conversation went something like this:Derek: “Hi, Jack. What do you think of Christian Scholars Review?”C.S. Lewis: “Ah, you address me as ‘Jack,’ a name I hold dear, given to me by my family and friends. As for the Christian Scholars Review, while it is a publication that came into prominence after my time, I can certainly appreciate the endeavor it represents. Christian scholarship, in any form, is a noble pursuit.

Oct 16, 2024 | christiancourier.ca | Derek C. Schuurman

In the days surrounding the funeral of my dear wife, Carina, I was encouraged by a steady stream of guests, casseroles, flowers and notes. As I prepared to return to an empty house in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a close friend from childhood and his wife offered to accompany me back home. For a few days I was buoyed and encouraged by their company. But the time came for them to return home to Ontario, and I suddenly found myself all alone.

Oct 4, 2024 | christiancourier.ca | Derek C. Schuurman

The other day, I chatted with Abraham Kuyper. The conversation went something like this:Derek: “Hi, Dr. Kuyper. What do you think of Christian Courier?”Kuyper: “Ah, Christian Courier. While I am not directly acquainted with this publication, I can certainly appreciate any endeavor that seeks to bring the light of Christ into the public square. . .”This interaction was made possible using ChatGPT, after instructing it to take on the persona of Abraham Kuyper.

Jun 4, 2024 | christianscholars.com | Derek C. Schuurman

I can still recall my nervousness as I taught my first classes at a Christian college. I was well-educated in electrical engineering at a large secular university, which is to say I was not well-educated in anything else. I had spent many years being catechized to think like an engineer, but faith remained largely peripheral to my studies. I was a Christian who was a scholar, but not yet a Christian scholar. And yet there I was a new faculty member expected to “integrate faith” in the classroom.