'So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely...' In Ephesians 5, Paul invites every follower of Jesus to 'live wisely'. This call and challenge is particularly pertinent for those dedicated and called to lives of study and scholarship through service in the academy. Dirk Jongkind offers these reflections to you to help bridge the gap between the daily life of academic study and the complexities of insititutional and career politics, by holding out the reading of Scripture as a vital act of Christian discipleship. Come, scholar, and read the Bible afresh - God's word directly addresses the 'occupational hazards' and opportunities that arise from working and living in the academic infrastructures of our present time. 'I have greatly enjoyed these unusual and spiritually perceptive devotions for Christian academics . These short chapters are deeply rooted in the careful reading of Scripture and earthed in the author's commitment to encouraging faithfulness in believers engaged in academic studies. Having heard many of these in Tuesday chapels at Tyndale House, I have greatly enjoyed being reminded of the author's pastoral concern and insightful comments, often accompanied by a lovely dry sense of humour.' -- The Revd Christopher Ash, Writer in Residence, Tyndale House, Cambridge, UK 'This book is a must read for all Christian academics , particularly for those of us who believe that Christian scholarship is fundamentally a divine calling. The messages given by Dirk at the chapel services and that are published here had a profound influence on my convictions and attitudes as an aspiring Christian academic completing my PhD studies at Tyndale House. They are a model of Christian scholarship that I strive to emulate in my own academic work, teaching and training in Brazil. I am unaware of anyone more careful and incisive in the application of Scripture to the realities of academic life than Dirk Jongkind.' -- Dr Diego dy Carlos, Research Lecturer, Seminario Martin Bucer, Brazil 'Has the Bible a vital message for academics? Dirk Jongkind's devotions show that God’s word pierces with a cutting edge through the thicket of scholarship. Passages from the Old and New Testament give advice on how to keep up joy in the often stressful environment of the university , how to deal with ambivalent motivations such as ambition, how to build an academic career on the sound ground of God's calling and character. A must read for everyone who pursues an academic career not only as a job, but as a vocation!' -- Dr Alexander Fink, Director, Institut fur Glaube und Wissenschaft, Marburg, Germany 'If you are a Christian academic and want to grow in your faith, then this little book is for you. Dirk Jongkind leads the reader carefully though nineteen passages selected from the Bible, with a detailed devotional commentary and several probing questions. Any academic that works through these passages thoughtfully and prayerfully with Dirk as guide is surely certain to find their faith increased.' -- Dr Daniel J. Hill, , Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Liverpool, UK 'Young Christian academics often express a desire to be mentored by older scholars, but pastorally minded academics are not always available to take on that role. This book helps to fill the gap. Dirk Jongkind's decades of studying Scripture and working alongside other academics in a research institute have allowed him to become very familiar with the particular struggles academics face, and the comfort and challenge Scripture offers them... I highly recommend it, not only for academics looking for devotional material but also for postgraduate and academic fellowship groups, since the discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter make it ideal for group study .' -- Anja Lijcklama a Nijeholt, Fellows Programme Coordinator, Forming a Christian Mind, Cambridge, and P 'Dirk Jongkind's book Growing in Understanding is distilled wisdom from a gifted Cambridge University faculty member. I remember the first time I heard Dirk teach these devotionals to a group of talented young academics at the Cambridge Scholars Network. As embodied and taught by Dirk, God's word made a stunning impact on the eager, young scholars. Further, the biblical vision in this book - of how to be a Christian academic - has, over the last two decades, shaped the European Leadership Forum's vision of equipping and mentoring Christian academics for faithful and excellent work. If you read these short chapters and meditate on them and on the passages of Scripture they unpack, God can change your life, including your understanding and practice of your academic calling.' -- Dr Greg Pritchard, Director, European Leadership Forum, and President, Forum of Christian Leaders, N 'Postgraduate studies can often be a very isolating and lonely journey that can bring up all sorts of negative feelings and struggles, such as stress, insecuritie