If you’ve read this SubStack for any length of time, you know that I’m working on a book about Christian Higher Education. It’s tentatively titled “The Fearless Christian University” and aims to paint a picture of what the Christian University might look like if it could avoid its fear of evangelical gatekeepers and the broader culture.
So this seemed like a good time for a post where I can attempt to answer your questions or respond to your insights on the development of Christian Universities, their current status, or what the future might hold.
So pose your questions and I’ll try my best to answer over the course of a day.
Indoctrination seems to be a weapon of choice, often contrasted to true education. Is this a discussion Christian higher ed should engage or in a sense has this tension always existed?
As much as Christian Universities have decried the indoctrination of secular liberal professors in state schools, they have maintained an indoctrination system within their own institutions, providing apologetic answers and avoiding the topics that don't fit. Far better to put the educational enterprise at the center rather than protection of the Christian Worldview. (That's chapter two of the book!)
It seems difficult to have this conversation without tackling the concept that many Christian Universities seem obsessed with the idea of their right to discriminate based on their religion. They also use scholarship that is insular and only from certain points of view. Which seems to be at odds with the supposed aims of higher education! As an undiagnosed autistic person who went to a Christian University, I truly believed my professors when they said they were presenting me with the best possible research on the Bible and Theology. Later, I realized they only drew from a very select pool of "approved" authors and scholars and demeaned or ignored anyone who didn't match up to their worldview. If you are going to be a discriminatory place of selective scholarship, then yeah--your numbers might dwindle. And I say good riddance!
This is an important insight. That selective reading -- ostensibly designed to protect students' faith -- only works as long as they aren't exposed to other ideas. This may be more of a problem in schools with roots as a Bible College but limits most Christian Universities.
I am often saddened by the number Christian University graduates who must wrestle with a deep sense of betrayal when they learn that trusted faculty members didn't tell them the whole truth. Some (like you) found new resources to complete what was missing. Far too many graduates are left in that tenuous space.
In the book, I argue that the educational goal of the Christian University should be to prepare graduates for the inevitable crises that will likely come about a decade after graduation.
The institution I work at has language in the faculty handbook that expects faculty to have a vibrant faith marked by growth. However the models of faith growth are implied to be single-track linear growth. I've found that my spiritual growth and that of many is my colleagues is anything but linear. Can a faith-based institution make space for a non-linear model (even making space for lapses of faith) and maintain their mission?
First, that's a much harder standard to measure that student evaluations for teaching or committees served. Growth compared to what standard?
Second, one of the institutions I served had "a maturing Christian faith" in the mission statement. While mostly discussed around student expectations, expecting one's faith to become more nuanced with age and experience is different (better) that some linear model. (I'm starting a small group at Church this week on Pete Enns' "Curveball". Highly recommend in this context).
Third, unless the screening committee that interviews new faculty to assure faith commitment is to become a Star Chamber of sorts (which would be horrific), managing these expectations becomes very difficult.
Finally, I'm reminded of a time when a faculty member came to me (VPAA) to tell me that based on this book he was writing, I'd need to fire him before long. My response was that I had enough faith in him to know that if he ever felt he couldn't endorse the university's Christian commitments, that he'd resign. I think that's the right answer for the non-linear faith as well.
Hi John. I work at a Christian college where many see our main mission as basically the Great Commission. What is the best way to advocate for more academic rigor without denigrating that evangelical position?
This goes along with the idea of Christian Universities not relying on faith screens. Given how little today’s students know about Bible and Theology, we need to assume they know little. Which is helpful when reaching out to not-yet Christians. But that shouldn’t take away from academic rigor (which is harder in math if you’re dealing with students who are also underprepared). Believing in their potential for growth in both spiritual and academic arenas (not that they’re separate) is crucial.
I regret the trend in a bunch of Christian schools choosing new presidents who are Politicians or Business 'heads.' Many have shown no personal appreciation for a Post-B degree....not to mention a terminal degree. These presidents have no appreciation for long pounded-out Values, Mission and wholistic student development. "Are we in the Red, or are we in the Black" is the only concern (maybe rightfully so, I guess)?
AND akin to this same trend is these new presidents seem to be yanking our Christian schools to the 'right' politically and religiously (notice I didn't say Spiritually?) to cater to the new secular politics, that has also bled into our churches. I am left scratching my head because for some schools this trend seems to be reaping increased inquiries, increased student #'s/tuition and increased donors and bigger gifts!
Pls tell me my anecdotal observations are not well founded. But at $50- $60 & $65K tuition, I don't think I'm wrong!
Yes, the practice of hiring presidents from outside the academe (even counting the development VPs) is a real challenge. Too many don't see the value of treating the faculty as partners in the overall mission (my next chapter). They worry about bottom line and are willing to try any gimmick they think will improve that status regardless of how central it is to the traditional mission of the university.
Your second point is the thrust of the entire book. And they are pushing their luck against an inevitable pushback in the coming decade.
Also, the high cost of tuition misses the role of unfunded discounting as schools compete for students. Recently saw a story documenting that privates may list $50-$60K for tuition (not counting room and board) but actually receive about $25K in real money.
P.S. Given your familiar salutation, were you one of my students?
Do parents of Christian college students exercise more influence over college administrations than do students? Is parental "overprotection" a concern or has culture/young people changed such that it is more appropriate than it used to be? (I.e., how "safe" should Christian colleges be when it comes to ideas?)
I think SOME parents exert a great deal of influence. For all the talk about helicopter parents in the last decade, many feel like they've done a good job of raising their now college students. But a minority have bought fully into the Culture War motif and see the Christian College as a place to protect students. My wife once wrote a paper on Christian Colleges as "safe" places. For most, that means a "safe" place to deal with ideas. For a few, that means to lock students in a "safe" and protect them from the outside world.
At some point, administrators will learn that they have to pay attention to the concerns of their incoming students and recent alums. The more they placate the loud minority parents, the more the college will struggle to recruit and retain today's students.
But who gets to decide which ones are extraneous? We're already seeing a pattern of winners and losers this fall. Some schools are struggling. Several prominent ones have record freshman enrollments. My guess is that the winners will continue to thrive and the struggles will continue to cut budgets. The competitive landscape is going to get fierce. Denominational schools will lean on their sponsoring body (who won't give them more funding) and might hang in longer.
What are your thoughts about the rise of Christian Study Centers? Do you think they are an avenue to escape the gatekeepers and embrace the fearless posture you're articulating here?
I read Chris' piece with interest and have known Rick for a few years (they both subscribe so I hope they chime in). To answer your second question, I do think they escape the gatekeepers to some extent. They exist on secular campuses (perceived as more liberal than they are) so are protected from slippery slope arguments. I wouldn't be surprised in some pastor with a TicToc account started going after a CSC he thought was "going woke". But I don't see the CSC as equivalent to the Christian College.
Indoctrination seems to be a weapon of choice, often contrasted to true education. Is this a discussion Christian higher ed should engage or in a sense has this tension always existed?
The question becomes: "Whose Indoctrination?"
As much as Christian Universities have decried the indoctrination of secular liberal professors in state schools, they have maintained an indoctrination system within their own institutions, providing apologetic answers and avoiding the topics that don't fit. Far better to put the educational enterprise at the center rather than protection of the Christian Worldview. (That's chapter two of the book!)
Thanks John. Much like the quip, "They make propaganda, we make documentaries", the new version could be "They indoctrinate, we educate"
It seems difficult to have this conversation without tackling the concept that many Christian Universities seem obsessed with the idea of their right to discriminate based on their religion. They also use scholarship that is insular and only from certain points of view. Which seems to be at odds with the supposed aims of higher education! As an undiagnosed autistic person who went to a Christian University, I truly believed my professors when they said they were presenting me with the best possible research on the Bible and Theology. Later, I realized they only drew from a very select pool of "approved" authors and scholars and demeaned or ignored anyone who didn't match up to their worldview. If you are going to be a discriminatory place of selective scholarship, then yeah--your numbers might dwindle. And I say good riddance!
This is an important insight. That selective reading -- ostensibly designed to protect students' faith -- only works as long as they aren't exposed to other ideas. This may be more of a problem in schools with roots as a Bible College but limits most Christian Universities.
I am often saddened by the number Christian University graduates who must wrestle with a deep sense of betrayal when they learn that trusted faculty members didn't tell them the whole truth. Some (like you) found new resources to complete what was missing. Far too many graduates are left in that tenuous space.
In the book, I argue that the educational goal of the Christian University should be to prepare graduates for the inevitable crises that will likely come about a decade after graduation.
The institution I work at has language in the faculty handbook that expects faculty to have a vibrant faith marked by growth. However the models of faith growth are implied to be single-track linear growth. I've found that my spiritual growth and that of many is my colleagues is anything but linear. Can a faith-based institution make space for a non-linear model (even making space for lapses of faith) and maintain their mission?
First, that's a much harder standard to measure that student evaluations for teaching or committees served. Growth compared to what standard?
Second, one of the institutions I served had "a maturing Christian faith" in the mission statement. While mostly discussed around student expectations, expecting one's faith to become more nuanced with age and experience is different (better) that some linear model. (I'm starting a small group at Church this week on Pete Enns' "Curveball". Highly recommend in this context).
Third, unless the screening committee that interviews new faculty to assure faith commitment is to become a Star Chamber of sorts (which would be horrific), managing these expectations becomes very difficult.
Finally, I'm reminded of a time when a faculty member came to me (VPAA) to tell me that based on this book he was writing, I'd need to fire him before long. My response was that I had enough faith in him to know that if he ever felt he couldn't endorse the university's Christian commitments, that he'd resign. I think that's the right answer for the non-linear faith as well.
Hi John. I work at a Christian college where many see our main mission as basically the Great Commission. What is the best way to advocate for more academic rigor without denigrating that evangelical position?
Hi Ryan.
This goes along with the idea of Christian Universities not relying on faith screens. Given how little today’s students know about Bible and Theology, we need to assume they know little. Which is helpful when reaching out to not-yet Christians. But that shouldn’t take away from academic rigor (which is harder in math if you’re dealing with students who are also underprepared). Believing in their potential for growth in both spiritual and academic arenas (not that they’re separate) is crucial.
What's up Doc?
I regret the trend in a bunch of Christian schools choosing new presidents who are Politicians or Business 'heads.' Many have shown no personal appreciation for a Post-B degree....not to mention a terminal degree. These presidents have no appreciation for long pounded-out Values, Mission and wholistic student development. "Are we in the Red, or are we in the Black" is the only concern (maybe rightfully so, I guess)?
AND akin to this same trend is these new presidents seem to be yanking our Christian schools to the 'right' politically and religiously (notice I didn't say Spiritually?) to cater to the new secular politics, that has also bled into our churches. I am left scratching my head because for some schools this trend seems to be reaping increased inquiries, increased student #'s/tuition and increased donors and bigger gifts!
Pls tell me my anecdotal observations are not well founded. But at $50- $60 & $65K tuition, I don't think I'm wrong!
Thanks, Big George!
Yes, the practice of hiring presidents from outside the academe (even counting the development VPs) is a real challenge. Too many don't see the value of treating the faculty as partners in the overall mission (my next chapter). They worry about bottom line and are willing to try any gimmick they think will improve that status regardless of how central it is to the traditional mission of the university.
Your second point is the thrust of the entire book. And they are pushing their luck against an inevitable pushback in the coming decade.
Also, the high cost of tuition misses the role of unfunded discounting as schools compete for students. Recently saw a story documenting that privates may list $50-$60K for tuition (not counting room and board) but actually receive about $25K in real money.
P.S. Given your familiar salutation, were you one of my students?
Not one of your students. But I do love that Bugs Bunny. I have learned of and appreciate your great reputation in Christian Higher Ed!
Do parents of Christian college students exercise more influence over college administrations than do students? Is parental "overprotection" a concern or has culture/young people changed such that it is more appropriate than it used to be? (I.e., how "safe" should Christian colleges be when it comes to ideas?)
I think SOME parents exert a great deal of influence. For all the talk about helicopter parents in the last decade, many feel like they've done a good job of raising their now college students. But a minority have bought fully into the Culture War motif and see the Christian College as a place to protect students. My wife once wrote a paper on Christian Colleges as "safe" places. For most, that means a "safe" place to deal with ideas. For a few, that means to lock students in a "safe" and protect them from the outside world.
At some point, administrators will learn that they have to pay attention to the concerns of their incoming students and recent alums. The more they placate the loud minority parents, the more the college will struggle to recruit and retain today's students.
Thank you, John, for bringing seasoned insight to these issues.
I need to figure out how to let my potential publisher know about my "seasoned insight"!
(And is that a nice way of saying old?)
Like a fine wine, my friend!
Are there simply too many Christian universities in the U. S. right now?
Yes.
But who gets to decide which ones are extraneous? We're already seeing a pattern of winners and losers this fall. Some schools are struggling. Several prominent ones have record freshman enrollments. My guess is that the winners will continue to thrive and the struggles will continue to cut budgets. The competitive landscape is going to get fierce. Denominational schools will lean on their sponsoring body (who won't give them more funding) and might hang in longer.
What are your thoughts about the rise of Christian Study Centers? Do you think they are an avenue to escape the gatekeepers and embrace the fearless posture you're articulating here?
Thinking about this in response to Chris Gehrz interview with Rick Ostrander https://chrisgehrz.substack.com/p/whats-a-christian-study-center?fbclid=IwAR1gc7UB4LLMkljp2aAcKHd7VLiqlzZwnLuhRkvC-II6iWB5DREUP-7PbtA
I read Chris' piece with interest and have known Rick for a few years (they both subscribe so I hope they chime in). To answer your second question, I do think they escape the gatekeepers to some extent. They exist on secular campuses (perceived as more liberal than they are) so are protected from slippery slope arguments. I wouldn't be surprised in some pastor with a TicToc account started going after a CSC he thought was "going woke". But I don't see the CSC as equivalent to the Christian College.