Faith, Freedom, and Higher Education

by P C Kemeny (Editor)

Overview

While debates abound today over the cost, purpose, and effectiveness of higher education, often lost in this conversation is a critical question: Should higher education attempt to shape students' moral and spiritual character in any systematic manner as in the past, or focus upon equipping students with mere technical knowledge? Faith, Freedom, and Higher Education argues that Christianity can still play an important role in contemporary American higher education. George M. Marsden, D. G. Hart, and George H. Nash, among its authors, analyze the debate over the secularization of the university and the impact of liberal Protestantism and fundamentalism on the American academy during the twentieth century. Contributors also assess how the ideas of Dorothy Sayers, C. S. Lewis, Wendell Berry, and Allan Bloom can be used to improve Christian higher education. Finally, the volume examines the contributions Christian faith can make to collegiate education and outlines how Christian institutions can preserve their religious mission while striving for academic excellence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610979931
Publisher:	Pickwick Publications
Publication date:	03/11/2013
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

P. C. Kemeny, editor, is Professor of Religion and Humanities at Grove City College. He is the author of Princeton in the Nation's Service (1998).

Table of Contents

Introduction P. C. Kemeny vii

1 The Soul of the American University Revisited George M. Marsden 1

2 The Opening of the Western Mind: The Emergence of Higher Education in the "Dark Ages" Mark W. Graham 14

3 From "Old Time" Christian College to Liberal Protestant University: The Forgotten Interlude in the History of the Secularization of Princeton University P. C. Kemeny 35

4 Christianity and Higher Education: Why Exclusion Is a Compliment D. G. Hart 54

5 God and Man at Yale Revisited George H. Nash 71

6 The Mission of Christian Colleges Today Gary Scott Smith 90

7 Unpopular Opinions: Dorothy L. Sayers on Education Janice B. Brown 113

8 "What Do They Teach Them in These Schools?" C. S. Lewis on Reading, Education, and Psychagogia James G. Dixon 133

9 Curriculum and Culture according to Wendell Berry Andrew J. Harvey 149

10 Great Books, Students' Souls, and Political Freedom: Reflections on Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind Michael Coulter 166

11 How to Keep a Christian College Christian William P. Anderson 180

Contributors 197

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Paul Kemeny has assembled a sparkling collection of essays. Their consistently thought-provoking contributions to the general theme of Christianity and higher education include sharply focused studies on important individuals (C. S. Lewis, Wendell Berry, Dorothy L. Sayers), important institutions (Princeton University), important interpretive questions (the rise of the secular university, the advantages of exclusion), and more. Readers . . . will be amply rewarded by reading this book."
—Mark A. Noll, Professor of History, University of Notre Dame

"The role of Christianity in higher education has changed tremendously since the founding of America's great colleges and universities. This collection of essays, written by Christian scholars, encourages the insightful contemplation and consideration of the impact and role of faith and freedom in the world of higher education today."
—David R. Rathburn, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Grove City College

"What is refreshing about this collection of essays on faith and freedom in higher education is it is fundamentally forward looking. . . . Despite the darkness of the present moment, faith and freedom can flourish in American higher education. Anyone interested in hastening the day when that flourishing happens will want to consult this fine volume."
—Robert P. George, Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University

Editorial Reviews

"Paul Kemeny has assembled a sparkling collection of essays. Their consistently thought-provoking contributions to the general theme of Christianity and higher education include sharply focused studies on important individuals (C. S. Lewis, Wendell Berry, Dorothy L. Sayers), important institutions (Princeton University), important interpretive questions (the rise of the secular university, the advantages of exclusion), and more. Readers . . . will be amply rewarded by reading this book."
—Mark A. Noll, Professor of History, University of Notre Dame

"The role of Christianity in higher education has changed tremendously since the founding of America's great colleges and universities. This collection of essays, written by Christian scholars, encourages the insightful contemplation and consideration of the impact and role of faith and freedom in the world of higher education today."
—David R. Rathburn, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Grove City College

"What is refreshing about this collection of essays on faith and freedom in higher education is it is fundamentally forward looking. . . . Despite the darkness of the present moment, faith and freedom can flourish in American higher education. Anyone interested in hastening the day when that flourishing happens will want to consult this fine volume."
—Robert P. George, Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University

From the Publisher