GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 1, 2006 – The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty has selected the finalists for the 2005 Acton Essay Competition. The program encourages participants to reflect on the integration of religious principles with morality and economic thinking, in support of a free and virtuous society. Entrants are asked to write a 4-6 page (1,000 to 1,500 word) critical response evaluating a statement on a given topic within the context of three required corresponding articles. The 2005 topic was “Created Imago Dei”. The award recipients are:
First place, $2,000: Kony Kim, Master of Arts student in Theological Studies at Westminster Seminary California.
Second place, $1,000: Joshua Lawson Shepherd, Master of Divinity student in Christian Education at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Third place, $500: Teresa Mia Bejan, B.A. student in Fundamentals: Issues and Texts at the University of Chicago.
Honorable mentions: Paul Nguyen, Master of Divinity student in Theology at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary; Rachael Patterson, Master of Arts student in Law at Columbia University.
The 2005 competition was judged by a panel of distinguished judges including Prof. Dan Mahoney, Assumption College; Rev. Robert Sirico, Acton Institute; Dr. David Wells, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Prof. Joseph Wooddell, Criswell College.
All seminarians, undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students studying religion, theology, philosophy or related fields are eligible to enter the Acton Essay Competiton, regardless of religious denomination or affiliation.