Geneva College - Esther L. Meek

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Esther L. Meek

Esther Meek Office Phone: 724-847-5232
emeek@geneva.edu
emeek@longingtoknow.com
Personal Web site: www.longingtoknow.com

Disciplines/Field of Instruction

Philosophy, Humanities, Honors

Degrees Received

Ph.D., Philosophy, Temple University, 1985 (Dissertation: Contact with Reality: An Examination of Realism in the Work of Michael Polanyi (Joseph Margolis, supervisor))
M.A., Humanities/Philosophy, Western Kentucky University, 1976
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies/Philosophy, Cedarville College, 1975

Courses Taught

PHI 100 - Logic
PHI 110 - Introduction to Philosophy
HUM 303 - Perspectives: Faith, Culture, Identity (3)
PHI 305 - Austin and Wittgenstein
PHI 306 - Post Modern Philosophers
PHI 310 - Christian Understanding of Life
PHI 352 - Reformed Epistemology
PHI 353 - Philosophy of Science
PHI 410 - Senior Seminar
PHI 491 - Women Philosophers

Presentations/Publications

Books

Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People. Chicago: Brazos Press, 2003.
Contours of Covenant Epistemology: Conversations On the Way To Knowing, current book project under discussion with Brazos Press.
Contact With Reality: Polanyi’s Realism And Its Value For Christian Faith. Paternoster Press, forthcoming.

Website

www.longingtoknow.com

Articles

“A Polanyian Interpretation of Calvin's Sensus Divinitatis.” Presbyterion XXIII:1 (1997).
“Embrace It Or Replace It? The Christian And Culture.” Presbyterion XXIV:2 (1998).
“‘Recalled to Life’: Contact with Reality.” Tradition and Discovery XXVI (1999-2000) (www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/polanyi/TAD%20WEB%20ARCHIVE/TAD26-3/TAD26-3-fnl-pg72-83-pdf.pdf).
“Longing to Know …and movies.” Critique: Ransom Fellowship Newsletter, #2, 2004 (http://ransomfellowship.org/articles_feature/F_LongingtoKnow.html).
“Longing to Know and the Complexities of Knowing God.” Tradition and Discovery (31:3, July 2005), 29-42 (www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/polanyi/TAD%20WEB%20ARCHIVE/TAD31-3/TAD31-3-fnl-pg29-44-pdf.pdf).
“Longing to Know.” Geneva Magazine (Summer 2005), 20-24.
“Rekindling the Longing to Know,” in 5 online posts, Common Grounds Online (http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/) (June 2005).
“Learning to See: The Role of Authoritative Guides in Knowing,” Tradition and Discovery (23:2, 2005-06), 38-49 (www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/polanyi/TAD%20WEB%20ARCHIVE/TAD32-2/TAD32-2-fnl-pg38-50-pdf.pdf)
“Longing to Know and Reading the Bible,” Comment (Publication of Work Research Foundation, Canada) http://wrf.ca/comment/article.cfm?ID=181, (March, 2006).
“Esther Meek’s Five Favorite Books,” Science and Theology News. (April 2006).
“Cultivating Connected Knowing in the Classroom: Response to Blythe Clinchy,” Tradition and Discovery: The Polanyi Society Periodical 34:1 (2007-2008).
“Making the Most of College: Learning With Friends,” Comment Magazine, Summer 2007, http://www.wrf.ca/wrf-rd.cfm?linkID=137 .

Book Reviews

Mary Stewart van Leeuwen, Gender and Grace: Love, Work and Parenting in a Changing World. Presbyterion XVII:1 (1991).
Mary A. Kassian, The Feminist Gospel: The Movement to Unite Feminism with the Church, Presbyterion XVIII:2 (1992).
Christopher Kaiser, Creation and the History of Science, Presbyterion XVIII:1 (1992).
Kelly Clark, ed., Philosophers Who Believe, Presbyterion XX:1 (1994).

Popular Books and Articles

The Practices of a Healthy Church: Biblical Strategies for Vibrant Church Life and Ministry, Donald J. MacNair with Esther L. Meek. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing Company (1999).
“Certainty: Taking a Bite Out of a Dangling Carrot,” (2 parts) Covenant XIV:2, 3 (1999).
In the Grip of Grace: The Devotional, Bryan Chapell with Esther L. Meek. Atlanta: MTW (1999).
“To the Back of the Bus,” Covenant XVI:4 (2000).
The Wonder of it All: The Devotional, (2 books), Bryan Chapell with Esther L. Meek. Atlanta: Mission to the World (MTW), Presbyterian Church in America (2000, 2001).
“Learning to See,” Covenant (Covenant Theological Seminary) XVII:3 (2002).
“Being a Philosopher Mom,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2005/09/esther_l_meek_b.html (Fall 2005).
“Being a Philosopher Mom,” The Cabinet (Geneva College student newspaper), 2005.
“Steelers #43 and Following Jesus,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2006/02/esther_meek_ste.html, (January 2006).
“Common Grace: An Irenic Proposal,” Common Grounds Online, http://www.commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2006/04/common_grace_an.html, (March 2006).
“My Father, My People, My Story”: you and the Bible and Mike Williams’ Far As The Curse Is Found,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/
theological_reflection/index.html (April 11, 2006).
“’Starbucking’ and Covenant Epistemology: Knowing as Interpersonal Communion,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2006/05/starbucking_and.html , (May 2006).
“Galadriel and the Entmoot: Savoring God,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2006/06/esther_l_meek_g.html (June 12, 2006).
“Truth,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2006/10/esther_l_meek_t.html (October 23, 2006).
“Eating With My Eyes,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2007/01/eating_with_my_.html (January 31, 2007).
“’Athensgate!’” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2007/03/esther_l_meek_a.html (March 14, 2007).
“Dance: Metaphysical and Theological Therapy,” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/
2007/04/esther_l_meek_d.html#more (April 16, 2007).
“The Void”! Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2007/06/esther_l_meek_t.html (June 11, 2007).
“Psalm Writing 107.” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/2007/07/index.html(July 26, 2007).
“God Loves Stuff.” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/2007/09/esther-l-meek-g.html, (September 17, 2007).
“Take Off Your Two-Dimensional Glasses.” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/2007/12/esther-l-meek-t.html, (December 5, 2007).
“Focus and Center on the Edge of the Abyss.” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/2008/01/esther-l-meek-f.html (February 1, 2008).
“Compelled to Culturing.” Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/2008/03/esther-l-meek-f.html (March 25, 2008).

Delivered Papers, Presentations, Lectures and Interviews

“Michael Polanyi.” Friday Evenings at the Institute (Covenant Seminary), Borders Bookstore (1996).
“Helping Kids Think Straight in Crooked Times.”Francis Schaeffer Lectures (Covenant Seminary), The Woodlands, Texas (1997). http://www.soundword.com/l-abri-meek--esther.html
“Balancing Personal Meaning and Soccer Practice.” Francis Schaeffer Lectures, The Woodlands, Texas (1997). http://www.soundword.com/l-abri-meek--esther.html
“Epistemology.”Advanced Apologetics Course, Covenant Seminary (1997).
“Michael Polanyi.” Faith and Science Course, Covenant Seminary (1998, 2002).
“‘Recalled to Life’: Contact with Reality,” paper presented to Polanyi Society, Boston, Massachusetts (1999).
“Epistemology.”Chesterfield Day School (May 2001).
“Evangelical and Contemplative Approaches to God.”Thompson Center Lecture Series(May 2001).
“Epistemology.” Spring Retreat, Reformed University Fellowship, Oklahoma University (Spring 2002).
“Lesslie Newbigin’s Proper Confidence.”Covenant Theology Course, Covenant Seminary (April 2002).
“Covenant Epistemology.” Covenant Seminary Chapel (May 2002).
“Learning to See: The Role of Authoritative Guides in Knowing,” paper presented to Polanyi Society, Toronto, Ontario (2002).
“Polanyi, Meek, and Longing to Know.”L’Abri Conference (Francis Schaeffer Institute, Covenant Seminary) (August 2002, January 2003, August 2003).
“Longing to Know.” Interview with Ken Myers, Mars Hill Audio Journal (Jan./Feb. 2004) (MHT-66.2.1).
“Working Implications of the Subsidiary Nature of Worldviews,” Paper delivered at the Midwest Regional Evangelical Theological Society Conference, Lincoln Christian College, March 19, 2004.
“Learning to Be: The Role of the Body in Knowing,” lecture for Interdisciplinary Studies class, Truman State University, March 31, 2004.
“Longing to Know,” presentation to the Christian Faculty Association, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, April 30, 2004.
“Longing to Know”; Scholar in Residence, Ravi Zacharias Ministries, Norcross, GA, June 17-18, 2004.
Response panel participant to Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff, Faculty Retreat, Geneva College, August 22, 2004.
“Learning to See, Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People,” Tabletalk at The Woods, A Lecture Series Sponsored by The Office of Faith and Service at William Woods University, Fulton, MO, October 18, 2004.
“Answering Cannon’s Volley: Meek’s Reply to Essays on Longing to Know”; paper for the Polanyi Society Meetings, November, 2004, San Antonio, TX, responding to three professional papers also presented at those meetings.
“Rekindling the Longing to Know.” Geneva College Convocation, February 2, 2005.
”The Epistemology and the Realism of David Dark’s Apocalyptic: Response to David Dark,” paper delivered at Christian Reflections on Contemporary Culture Conference, Missouri Baptist University, June 19. 2005.
“Global Christianity and the Need For a Fresh Epistemological Vision: Response to Philip Jenkins,” paper delivered at Christian Reflections on Contemporary Culture Conference, Missouri Baptist University, June 19. 2005.
“Riesman’s Autonomy, Self-differentiation, and Trinitarian Theology of Personhood: Response to Faith and the Common Good, Geneva Faculty Summer Book Club,”June 2005.
“Longing to Know: Lecture, discussion, CCO continuing education class with Dr. Brad Frey, May 25, 2005, June 13, 2005.
“Longing to Know.” Talk for Geneva College Faculty Luncheon Series, September 5, 2005.
Interview with Doug Serven, Common Grounds Online, http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online
/2005/10/by_doug_serven_.html
“Longing to Know: Epistemology for Ordinary People.” Jubilee 2006, the Annual Conference of the Coalition for Christian Outreach, February 25, 2006.
“Inviting the Real: Epistemological Etiquette.” Jubilee 2006, the Annual Conference of the Coalition for Christian Outreach, February 25, 2006.
“Proposing Covenant Epistemology: Response to Frazier’s ‘Considering the Tie that Binds.’” Paper prepared for presentation to the Geneva College Board of Trustees, April 26, 2006.
“Longing to Know,” “Covenant Epistemology,” and “Inviting the Real,” University Honors Program Faculty Student Weekend Retreat, Dallas Baptist University, October, 2006.
“Cultivating Connected Knowing in the Classroom: Response to Blythe Clinchy,” Polanyi Society Meetings, November 2006, Washington, DC.
“Polanyi.” Guest lecture in Newbigin Class, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA, January 15, 2007.
With Starr Meek, “Beauty Matters: The Theology and Epistemology of Personal Beauty.” Friday Evenings at the Institute (Covenant Seminary, St. Louis, MO), August 10, 2007.
“Longing to Know.” Lecture to CCCU’s American Studies Program, Washington, DC, September 15, 2007.
“Knowing as ~~Information~~ Transformation: Unleashing the Epistemic Dimensions of the Bible.” Faculty Luncheon Presentation, Geneva College, November 6, 2007.
“A Sketch of Covenant Epistemology: From Polanyi to Interpersonally Centered Knowing.” Paper presented to the Polanyi Task Group, Center for the Studies of the Person, November 15, 2008, La Jolla, CA.
“Response to Linda Zagzebski’s “Self-Trust and Belief in God.” 2007-08 Dr. Byron I. Bitar Memorial Lecture, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, April 2, 2008.
“Longing to Learn: Covenant Epistemology and Pedagogy.” Paper to be presented to the Childlight USA Annual Conference, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC, June 11, 2008.
“Marjorie Grene Fifty Years Later: Stopping Short of Personhood.” Paper to be presented at the “Personal Knowledge at Fifty” Polanyi Conference, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, June 13, 2008.
Lecturer, Scripture and Ministry Lecture Series, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL, March 17-18, 2009.

Popular Speaking Engagements

“Christmas.”Twin Oaks PCA Women’s Banquet (December 1995).
“Worldviews.” Women’s retreat, Twin Oaks PCA Church (Spring 1996).
“Work and Calling.” Heritage PCA Church Women’s Retreat (1999).
“The Baby Who Makes A World of Difference,” Central Presbyterian Church Women’s Christmas Banquet (December 1999).
“Decision Making,” Youth in Ministry Institute, Covenant Seminary (January 2000).
“The Heart.” Covenant Seminary Women Students Fellowship(February 2000).
With Mark Dalbey, “Cross-gender Friendships.” Covenant Seminary Ministry Lunch (May 2000).
“Whistle While You Work,” Friday Evenings at the Institute (Covenant Seminary), Borders Bookstore (October 2000).
“Personal Significance on a Salary of $17,000 or Less.” Women Students Fellowship, Covenant Seminary (Fall 2000).
“Work and Calling.” Youth in Ministry Institute Summer Conference, Covenant Seminary (2000, 2001, 2003).
“Whistle While You Work,” Twin Oaks PCA Church Adult Sunday School (12 weeks) (2001).
With Michael Gordon, “Hospitality.” Friday Evenings at the Francis Schaeffer Institute (Covenant Seminary) Borders Bookstore (March 2001).
“Epistemology.” College group, Chesterfield PCA Church (Summer, 2001).
“Learning to See,” Junior High Youth Retreat, Twin Oaks PCA Church (Fall 2001).
“Knowing God is Like Knowing Your Auto Mechanic.” Outreach Dessert, Old Orchard PCA Church (Fall 2001).
“Hospitality.” Grace and Peace PCA Church Women’s Group (January 2002).
“Christianity and Art.” Twin Oaks PCA Church Adult Sunday School (2 weeks) (2002).
“Nail Polish and the Kingdom of God.” Memorial PCA Church Women’s Group (May 2002).
“The ‘Myths’ of Christianity.” Outreach event, Youth group, Twin Oaks PCA Church (Summer, 2002).
“Learning to See,” Youth In Ministry Institute Summer Conference, Covenant Seminary (June 2002).
“Chocolat,” and other film discussions for Twin Oaks PCA Singles Group (Summer, 2002).
“Worldviews.” Adult Sunday School, Twin Oaks Church (Fall, 2002).
“Girls In The Curl: Navigating the Breakers of Life.”Twin Oaks PCA Church Women’s Retreat (October 2002).
“Longing to Know and Emmanuel’s Community Outreach,” Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, March 31, April 12, 2004.
“Can We Know God?” Combined youth groups of Washington Park Fellowship and Old Orchard Presbyterian Church, April 12, 2004.
“Knowing your Auto Mechanic is Like Knowing God,” Sunday School at Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Louis MO, April 28, 2004.
“Knowing God is Like Knowing your Auto Mechanic,” Community Outreach Coffee at Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Louis MO, April 28, 2004.
“Longing to Know,” Dessert talk in the home of Dr. David Clark, Columbia, MO, April 29, 2004.
“How to Clean a Toilet with a Smile on your Face: Applying a Biblical View of Work,” Women’s Retreat, Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, KS, April 30-May 1, 2004.
“Rest,” Sunday School, Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, KS, May 2, 2004.
“What Shall I Do With My Life?: How Longing, Being and Knowing Affect Calling,” two-night seminar, Grace and Peace Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO, May 12-13, 2004.
“Longing to Know.” Recorded interview for KSIV Christian Radio, St. Louis, MO, aired May 25, 2004.
“Longing to Know,” three talks, Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church, Manchester, MO, June 16, 23, 30, 2004.
“The YIMI Vision.” Training for Youth In Ministry Institute small group leaders, Seminary faculty speakers, and participating youth pastors (three separate talks), April-June 2004 (this was part of my position as Project Assistant for Covenant Seminary’s Youth in Ministry Institute).
“Longing to Know.” Online interview, Penses Book Club, July 11, 2004.
“Longing to Know.” Live interview on the Tim and Al Show, KJSL Christian Radio, St. Louis, MO, July 13, 2004.
With Dr. Robert Frazier, “Hebrews 11,” “Hebrews 12.” Devotions for the Faculty Retreat, August 21-22, 2004.
“How to Clean a Toilet With a Smile on your Face”; Adult Sunday School, Christ Our King Presbyterian Church, Columbia, MO, October 17, 2004.
“Longing to Know and Campus Ministry,” lunchtime talk to campus ministers at University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, October 18, 2004.
“Longing to Know,” Redeemer Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX, November 18, 2004.
Longing to Know coffee house outreach talk, Allegheny Center Alliance Church, Pittsburgh, PA, January 21, 2005.
“Renewing Your Purpose,” Women’s Retreat for Fairview Presbyterian Church, April 1-2, 2005.
“Identity in Christ.” Talk delivered to Gannon University CCO, November 9, 2005.
“Girls in the Curl: Navigating the Transitions of Life,” Talk for Geneva Women Students Retreat, January 28, 2006.
“Epistemology Therapy for the Sake of Evangelism,” Talk for Park Cities Presbyterian Church Singles, (October 8, 2007).
“Epistemology Therapy for the Sake of Evangelism,” Talk for Maclean Presbyterian Church Singles, (November 16, 2007)
“Being, Knowing, and Doing.” Three talks for Trinity Episcopal Church, Beaver, PA, and Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Hopewell, PA, Women’s Retreat (forthcoming: April 20-21, 2007).
“Looking the World Back to Grace,” Chapel Talk, Geneva College, April, 2007.
“Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Keeping you Balance through Graduation and through Life.” Presentation at Geneva College Career Development Seniors Dinner, April 17, 2007, also April 17, 2008.
“Being, Knowing, and Doing: Living Face-to-face with God.” Three talks for Trinity Episcopal Church, Beaver, PA, and Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Hopewell, PA, Women’s Retreat, April 25-26, 2007.
“Knowing Knowing; Knowing God.” Two talks for the Western PA RPCNA Women’s Retreat, April 5, 2008.
“Signatures.” Geneva College Calling and Vocation Month Chapel Talk, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, November 2, 2008.

Current Projects

Contours of Covenant Epistemology: Conversations On the Way To Knowing, current book project under discussion with Brazos Press. In this “prequel” to Longing to Know, I develop my proposals concerning knowing, centrally recommending that we should take as our paradigm of all acts of knowing the interpersonal, covenantally-nuanced, relationship.
Contact With Reality: Polanyi’s Realism And Its Value For Christian Faith. Paternoster Press, forthcoming. My 1985 dissertation have been accepted for publication pending revision to elucidate the value of the work for Christian theology.
“Longing to Learn: Covenant Epistemology and Pedagogy.” Paper to be presented to the Childlight USA Annual Conference, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC, June 11, 2008. Childlight USA fosters educational enterprises which embody the ideals of 19^th-Century British educator, Charlotte Mason. Mason is known for her aphorism, “Children are persons.”
“Marjorie Grene Fifty Years Later: Stopping Short of Personhood.” Paper to be presented at the “Personal Knowledge at Fifty” Polanyi Conference, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, June 13, 2008. At this very special conference, I get to engage the work of one of the philosophers whose work I regard most highly, Marjorie Grene. I studied with Grene when she was a visiting professor at Temple; and she served informally on my dissertation committee.

Affiliations, e.g., membership in professional organizations

Professional Memberships

Evangelical Philosophical Society (2004-present)
Society of Christian Philosophers (2002-present)
Polanyi Society (1990-present; member of Board)

Other Professional and Community Service

Geneva College Academic Assessment Committee (2005-2008)
Organized and facilitates the Geneva College student group and weekly discussion, Thinking Women (2005-present)
Advisory Board for Geneva College Career Services (2007-present)
Facilitated, sponsored and hosted Geneva College Spring Break Missions Trip to Aliquippa, PA (Spring 2008)
With Capt. John Stanley, wrote project design and publicity materials for Uncommon Grounds Café, the Episcopal Church Army mission to Aliquippa, PA (Spring 2008)
Member of the Board, Aliquippa Impact (2008-present)
Geneva College Oversight Committee (2008-present)

Miscellaneous, e.g., hobbies, sports, personal info

I enjoy the music performances of my daughters, students and friends.
I love playing Nertz with a great bunch of high school and college friends.
I love having people in my home.
I love the Steelers, Pittsburgh, and the zesty people and terrain of Western PA.