Documents

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Baylor University
  • M.A., Baylor University
  • B.S., Biola University

Member of

Biography

Janelle Aijian hails from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She earned her doctoral degree in Philosophy from Baylor University, focusing on the religious epistemology of Blaise Pascal. Her current research involves the role of skepticism in the life of faith and acedia, or spiritual despondency. Her favorite texts to teach are The Brothers Karamazov, Moby Dick, The Republic and the gospel of John.

Publications

Articles

  • "The Meaning of Waiting: Meaning-making Narratives and Counter-narratives in the Teachings of the Desert Fathers," Aijian, Janelle, Merrill, David L., Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, November 2023.
  • “Fleeing the Stadium: Recovering the Conceptual Unity of Evagrius’ Acedia,” Aijian, Janelle, The Heythrop Journal, January 2019.
  • “Acedia and student life: Ancient Christian wisdom for addressing boredom, distraction, and over-commitment in undergraduates” Aijian, Janelle, International Journal of Christianity & Education, August 2017.

    Book Chapters

    • "Introduction: Augustine of Hippo, From On the Teacher," Aijian, J.L., in Learning the Good Life: Wisdom from the Great Hearts and Minds that Came Before, eds. Hooten Wilson, Jessica and Stratman, Jacob (Zondervan, 2022), pp. 52-53. 
    • "The Abolition of Risk: C.S. Lewis in The Island and Gattaca," Aijian, Janelle L., in Science Fiction and the Abolition of Man, eds. Boone, Mark J. and Neece, Kevin C., (Pickwick Publications, 2016), pp. 237-250. 
    • “Baptism by Fire: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Pascal’s Philosophy,” Aijian, Janelle in The Holy Spirit and The Christian Life, ed. Vondley, Wolfgang (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014).

    Areas of Expertise for Media Interviews

    • Arts and Humanities
    • Christian Thought
    • Philosophy
    • Philosophy of Religion
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