Faith Meets Academia
Welcome to Faith Meets Academia!
Struggling to connect your faith with everyday life, career ambitions, or academic pursuits? Hosted by a university professor and ordained minister, Dr. Adrian Reynolds, this podcast will help you translate your faith-based values into personal growth, professional development, and academic success. Faith Meets Academia emphasizes that faith and work can forge a mutually sustaining partnership.
Each episode breaks down complex academic concepts into everyday language and connects them with timeless spiritual principles for transformational learning and development. By the end of each episode, you will be equipped with practical tools to set the tone for a purposeful, productive week.
Join the journey today!
Your host, Adrian Reynolds (Ph.D.), is an ordained minister, learning coach, and assistant professor of medical education at an R1 university. He is on a mission to merge educational innovation with biblical wisdom. Dr. Reynolds brings over two decades of teaching experience across the educational continuum: from working with underserved, high school students as a state-certified instructor of Spanish to coaching students in graduate and professional degree programs in evidence-based teaching skills and the science of learning.
Dr. Reynolds’ work is located within the rapidly growing field of applied learning sciences and is driven by both socio-cognitive and sociocultural approaches to learning and teaching. His preventive model of academic coaching has been published in journals such as Medical Teacher and Clinical Teacher. He has held over 1,000 (one-on-one) academic coaching sessions with medical students, residents, fellows, and pre-med students. Dr. Reynolds has developed numerous peer-teaching programs for medical students in addition to courses in the science of learning for residents, pre-med and high school students.
Dr. Reynolds has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 10 years both nationally and internationally. He has long been recognized to seamlessly intertwine academic concepts with biblical principles: His approach to preaching and teaching the word of God is centered around growth mindset (Philippians 4:13), transformational learning (Romans 12:2), and reflective, mindful practice (Philippians 4:8, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97).
As a missionary ambassador, Dr. Reynolds has embarked on transformative journeys that bridge cultures and continents, bringing tangible support and hope to those in need. Most recently, in the fall of 2023, his dedication to humanitarian causes led him to Mozambique: From the bustling streets of Maputo to the serene countryside of Inharrime, through the unwavering support and sponsorship from faith-based leaders and communities, Dr. Reynolds has played a pivotal role in the allocation of humanitarian aid and educational resources, providing essential support to elevate community wellbeing.
Earlier that year, he engaged in a mission focused on cultural exchange and relationship-building in the Maputo province to better understand and address local challenges. Through these missions, Dr. Reynolds exemplifies the true essence of a missionary ambassador, integrating service, education, and faith into impactful action.
Faith Meets Academia
Episode 36: The Law of Kindness
Have you ever considered that a simple act of kindness could change someone's life forever? This episode uncovers the transformative power of kindness, weaving together scriptural insights and real-life stories to show how kindness is much more than just financial giving. Dr. A invites you you to see kindness as a fundamental element of faith and spirituality. By embracing kindness in all its forms, whether through a supportive word or a listening ear, we can profoundly influence our relationships, personal growth, and professional interactions. Join us as we challenge the conventional notion that kindness is limited to material gestures. This episode offers practical tips for cultivating kindness as a way of life, urging you to recognize and appreciate acts of kindness that often go unnoticed. Whether you're the giver or the recipient, discover how kindness can manifest in unexpected yet impactful ways and make a lasting difference.
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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely my own and do not reflect or represent the positions, policies, or opinions of my employer, any organization or academic institution with which I am affiliated. This podcast is a personal initiative, and is not connected to my official/ formal duties and responsibilities as a university professor.
Hey, fam, welcome back. I'm so delighted that you decided to return for Episode 36, titled the Law of Kindness the Law of Kindness For our listeners, friends, supporters in the United States. I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration, spending time with friends, family, the ones you hold dear, and I also hope you took some time to spread a little love, to show kindness to someone else, so that they also can feel like they have something to be thankful for. All right, let me ask you a question when was the last time someone showed you kindness in a way that made a long lasting impression? Don't overthink it. We receive acts of kindness all the time. But here's the thing Sometimes we don't recognize those acts of kindness as such because we sort of take them for granted.
Dr. A:We consistently expect them, we consistently expect them. So after a while it's kind of like okay, yeah, that's just what happens. I come in the house and my two kids give me big hugs and kisses. Well, they're growing up real fast now. So I mean, I have to kind of beg to get that sometimes, but I know they still love me, it's okay.
Dr. A:Or it might be kindness from total strangers, someone holding the door for you, but it's like do you see that as an act of kindness or do you just kind of, you know, expect it to happen? Yes, there are many acts of kindness we receive that we often overlook. You know, you might be in the store, you know, searching for an item, and somebody walks up to you and says may I help you find something? Right? How about that? Yeah, yeah, we're talking about these acts of kindness that just go totally unnoticed. Now let me also ask you when was the last time you showed or extended an act of kindness? Could it be that you also take those acts for granted, kind of think hey, I'm just a kind, selfless person, you know, that's just what do.
Dr. A:But it's important for us to reflect on all these acts of kindness in all their forms, whether we are on the giving or the receiving end, and so we're going to dive into this notion of the law of kindness. You see, it's not just about doing something nice for someone, it's not just about material stuff. It's a principle that's deeply rooted in scripture, in faith and even psychology. It's about embodying a way of life that seamlessly ties together being generous, being empathetic and being loving in our actions, our attitudes and our words, and I really want to emphasize that because I think that's an aspect of the law of kindness that often gets overlooked being kind in and with our words. So let's go to the word.
Dr. A:Proverbs, 31: 26, says are you ready? It's talking about the qualities or the characteristics of the virtuous woman. It says she opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. Hmm, it sounds to me like kindness begins not with material giving but with our words. Wow, wow, that's interesting.
Dr. A:I mean, this verse in itself gives us a sneak peek, if you will, into what it looks like to speak in a way that reflects the heart of God, and the heart of God is love. How do we know this? Well, let's look at St Matthew, the 22nd chapter. A lawyer asks Jesus which is the great commandment in the law? In St Matthew, 22: 37 through 40, we see Jesus says to him you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And in Mark 12: 31, Jesus says there is no other commandment greater than these. Our entire walk of faith, our entire spiritual journey, growth, development is founded upon the love principle.
Dr. A:So the law of kindness is not some man-made thing. It's rooted in the laws of God, in the commandments of God. But what does it look like? But hold on. What does it look like in practice?
Dr. A:This is not a theoretical kind of podcast. We're going to talk about what does this look like in real life? That might be what you're missing. You know what the word says. It makes you excited, it makes you inspired, great. You go to your place of worship, you have a good time, but now it's time to practice what you've heard, and I'm trying to equip you with some tools that will help you to transform the word into real life. How does this kindness thing affect our relationships, our faith, even our professional lives? All right, let's go deeper.
Dr. A:So what exactly is the law of kindness? It's a principle that transcends context, cultures and circumstances. It's not limited to huge gestures or material giving. Sure, we often think of kindness in terms of gifts and money and all that stuff, right. But when the money runs out, can you still be kind? When you have no gifts to give, can you still be kind? That's the real question. So when we're talking about the law of kindness, it goes far beyond the material stuff. You see, it doesn't take money or an expensive gift to give a hug. It doesn't take money or an expensive gift to give a high five or a listening ear or just a handshake. You can offer a kind, loving word or just simply, oh my Lord, simply your presence, your presence alone can project kindness. Just taking the time to be there for someone is an extension of your kindness. But you see, our world today sometimes misinterprets kindness.
Dr. A:I remember someone getting upset with me because I couldn't give them money. I mean I, just I, and you know I was a young man, like I was in my twenties. I couldn't give them money. I mean I, just I, and you know I was a young man, like I was in my 20s, I don't even know if I had a job. And the guy said I was mean. Yeah, he cussed me out. He told me I was mean because I didn't give him money. Like I said, I was a young guy, I'm sure I was. I was probably in college at the time like living off student loans, like, like, are you serious? Like I had no money to give. In his eyes, kindness was exclusively about financial giving and what he could get.
Dr. A:This law of kindness, yes, is explicitly mentioned in Proverbs 31: 26. However, we see the law of kindness coming out in St Matthew, 7: 12. And this is often referred to as the golden rule, and this is where Jesus says therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets. Bam, there goes. This is the what, the law and the prophets.
Dr. A:Now, it's interesting, that principle right there, this whole golden rule do unto others as you would have them do unto you in psychological terms, is referred to as reciprocity. It's the idea that our actions, whether positive or negative, create this ripple effect, and what we give, whether it's being generous, whether it's showing kindness, forgiveness, happiness and all the rest, returns to us in some way or other. Now listen, we're not talking about karma here. I know what you're thinking. We're not talking about karma. This principle of reciprocity, as it's called in psychology, is a biblical principle of sowing and reaping.
Dr. A:That's a theme that we see echoed in Luke 6: 38. Here's what it says Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be put into your bosom, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. You see, back in the old days, the merchants would fill containers with grain such as wheat or corn, and they would press it down. And and they would press it down and shake it to remove air pockets, and that was to ensure that that container was tightly filled to the brim. It is this imagery of abundance that we see in Luke 6: 38. One that shows God's overwhelming generosity in response to our giving, whether it's material, social or emotional.
Dr. A:I'd like to emphasize the point that kindness isn't just what we do, but it's also what we say, it's how we speak. Words have power. Words have the power to heal, the power to uplift, and, on the other hand, they also do have the power to destroy, and they also do have the power to destroy. Ephesians :29 tells us Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Similarly, Colossians 4:6 encourages us Our speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt. Watch your words that you may know how you ought to answer each one, even small everyday words can impart grace, kindness and compassion, and there's a specific, you know act of kindness that you might not even have ever considered as kindness.
Dr. A:It's very much often overlooked, I think, and you know what that is Sharing information. Information, I know it sounds real simple, doesn't it? Just sharing information. I remember a conversation I once had with my son's assistant principal where I suggested he look into a science of learning phd program and at the time it was just a passing comment. You know that I time it was just a passing comment that I made, it was just in conversation. But just a few months later he sent me a text stating that he applied to the program and he got accepted. And then, a few years after that, he graduated with his PhD in the science of learning. One encounter of having a conversation about our schools, the school system and my encouraging him to go back and pursue his PhD and recommending this specific science of learning program. I didn't bring him cookies, I didn't give him a gift. I didn't bring him cookies, I didn't give him a gift, I just shared information.
Dr. A:And even more recent than that, I went to a local Walgreens store and I ran into one of the employees there who was thinking about she was seeking other opportunities and so being in the medical education field, I just asked her do you have any experience in healthcare or any kind of certification in healthcare? And it turns out she did not in healthcare. And it turns out she did not. But then, shortly thereafter, I went back to that store and she said I have some good news to tell you, and I'm like what she said I'm in a CNA program CNA meaning certified nursing assistant. And I said, oh, that's amazing. And she said I'm going to be graduating soon. I was like, wow, congratulations. And you know what she said. She said I remember you asking me. She said I remember you asking me if I had any certification in healthcare. And so I thought about it and I was like, why not? I was totally blown away.
Dr. A:All I did was ask a question. I mean, I couldn't even say I was sharing information, but it was just words. I asked a question. It was just words. I asked a question. Words are powerful, I'm telling you, and even in the form of a question they can be as equally impactful as they are in the form of a statement. So that question I asked this lady planted a seed in her mind that helped motivate her to pursue her CNA. Oh, I can give you so many other examples about using words to exercise kindness. I'll give you one last one.
Dr. A:Sometimes I attend conferences and find that even in just a 20-minute session or a one-hour presentation, my biggest takeaway is a single concept or theory I had never heard before and here's the beauty of it Just that one idea, that one concept can spark something transformative. So I hear that theory or that concept that I'm encountering for the first time, and after the session is over, I go and I dig deeper and I explore it further. And I've had many experiences where that new theory then becomes a cornerstone in further developing my coaching programs or teaching methods. And that's exactly what happened when I first heard about Anders Ericsson's theory of deliberate practice. I'm not going to get into the specifics of that, you can look it up. It's called deliberate practice and the pioneer of that theory is Andersriksson. Yeah, I remember within the first few minutes of that presentation, that theory just completely shifted my perspective and later became a foundational principle in how I approach growth and learning.
Dr. A:Now let's talk briefly about the relationship between the law of kindness and love. At its core, kindness is inseparable from love. I mean what isn't right? Romans 12.10 says Kindness isn't just an obligation, it's a reflection of God's love for us. Let's look at Titus 3.4-5, which says through five, which says but when the kindness and the love of God, our savior, toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing it is to know that God's kindness isn't even something that we earn. It's a gift that he's given us freely. He's kind and loving to us even when we're undeserving of it. And when we model the love of God in our own lives, we are reflecting his heart to the world. Okay, so we know what the Bible says about kindness, but what does the science say? The research say about kindness, and what is the relationship between both? Research in positive psychology actually reinforces what the scripture has always taught about kindness.
Dr. A:Numerous studies show that kindness doesn't just benefit the receiver, but they also significantly impact the giver. When you perform a kind act, your brain releases these feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin that create what researchers call a helper's high. This is a phenomenon, that it doesn't just make you feel good temporarily. It has lasting benefits. So dopamine gives you a sense of pleasure and reward. Oxytocin, which is often called the love hormone, fosters feelings of connection and trust, and serotonin helps to regulate your mood and promote calmness and just overall happiness. Yeah, it's, it's. It's been proven that regular acts of kindness can improve your physical health. Regular acts of kindness can be a stress reliever.
Dr. A:It's as though God designed kindness not only to bless others, but also to protect and nurture our own well-being. By living out the law of kindness, you're not just spreading positivity, you're literally wiring your brain and body for joy and for resilience. So when we give freely and selflessly, the blessing doesn't just flow in one direction, one direction outward. It also flows back into us. It enriches us in so many ways. In galatians 5, 22 and 23, we see kindness listed as as a fruit of the spirit. So so, brothers and sisters, kindness matters galatians 5, 22 and 23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering kindness. There it goes Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. So when we practice kindness, we are aligning ourselves with the Spirit of God, and that alignment creates joy and peace within us.
Dr. A:In professional and academic contexts, kindness helps to build stronger relationships and more collaborative, team-oriented environments. Positive psychology refers to this as social reciprocity, and that's the idea that kindness breeds trust and cooperation. When we lead with kindness, we open the door to stronger and more meaningful interpersonal relationships and connections, whether at work, school or in the home. So, to wrap this up, how can we apply the law of kindness in our daily lives? Let's be intentional with our words. Make it a habit to speak with concern, thoughtfulness and compassion, even in difficult situations. Give someone a compliment, show gratitude, offer a word of encouragement. We can also perform small acts of kindness that can totally transform someone's day, like holding the door for someone or opening the door for them. Smile with a stranger, send a thoughtful message to a friend.
Dr. A:Another way we can practice kindness is liberally share knowledge, information or resources, knowledge, information or resources. Never underestimate the power of sharing insights, opportunities, recommendations. Your words might inspire someone's next big move. Also, let's not forget about that principle of reciprocity. Ask yourself how do my actions impact others, how do my acts of kindness, or lack thereof, impact others, and how do their acts of kindness impact me? Am I sowing seeds of kindness for future growth, or am I withholding them? Think about just one way you can live out the law of kindness this week. Maybe it's through your words, through your actions or even your attitude. Thank you so much for joining me today and if this episode encouraged you, help us spread the word, share it with friends, share it with family. Remember, you can find Faith Meets Academia on any major podcast platform, wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks so much for joining me. Until next time, keep living out the law of kindness and just watch how it transforms your world. All right, take care, and God bless.