How does the reality of the kingdom of God change the way we think about the specifics of life in the university and beyond? How should we engage in the politicised world of academia or pursue a career in the face of intellectual opposition to the gospel? 

In these studies, we consider how the book of Daniel challenges and encourages us amidst the power struggles, idolatry and opportunity for witness found in the everyday life of the academy.

The book of Daniel is as timely now as it ever has been. In these twelve chapters, we see how God reveals the authority and promise of his own kingdom, in the midst of the power struggles and opposition to God’s people that characterise the kingdoms of the earth. Within these times, we see God’s people both encouraged to live in exile and persevere through this opposition. In our own age, we too as followers of Christ are to understand our own time as exilic – as “aliens and strangers on the earth.” 

Whereas Daniel’s original readers are encouraged to look for the establishing of God’s kingdom, we who have seen this happen in Christ’s first coming, eagerly await the consummation of this kingdom of the Son of Man at his second coming. Daniel now, as then, is a book that teaches us how to live for God in light of his kingdom and sovereignty over history, despite the seeming triumph of worldly kingdoms and opposition. 

As we come to study God’s word, it is vital that we understand that it speaks to us by first speaking to the original readers in line with the author’s intention. We will also gain most from this careful listening by listening to the whole book on its own terms. 

As we prepare to study the Bible in our own specific context – in this case the world of academia – it is tempting to think that we should study along thematic lines that resonate with our context or vocation. However, although there may be occasion for this approach, as a habit it would be a misstep in listening to God. Scripture is not presented to us as a thematic depository of wisdom. There is no book of Scripture dedicated to “university life” or “parenthood” or “politics” etc, etc. Nor is Scripture designed for us to scour for texts that do speak to these particular issues and to remove them from their context in order to consolidate them into a new format. Rather, we will benefit most as we see God set the agenda, seek to grasp how he intended it to be heard, and then dig deeper to move through to our own context.   

The following study notes are designed to do just that. Each study begins with a contextual and exegetical understanding of the passage; draws out the immediate, historical implications, then traces these truths through to specific implications for the academy and university life. In doing so, we hope not only to hear the full force of God’s voice come to bear on our own context, but we will be encouraged to see how our Christian life in general shapes our specific vocational work in the university.