Category: Education

Linda Livingstone

The Graham Rule and Barriers to Women in Leadership at Christian Colleges

April 19, 2017

It’s been a few weeks now since a Washington Post profile of Second Lady Karen Pence reminded everyone of comments made by her husband back when he was still an Indiana congressman: that Mike Pence “never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won’t attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side, … More The Graham Rule and Barriers to Women in Leadership at Christian Colleges

Confessing Faculty logo

Confessing Faculty in Inside Higher Ed

March 29, 2017

This isn’t exactly how I imagined my week going, but I’m honored to be quoted at some length in this morning’s Inside Higher Ed article on the Confessing Faculty statement. Here’s a taste of Colleen Flaherty’s article, including some of what I said: Academics largely lean to the political left. It’s unsurprising, then, that so many have spoken out … More Confessing Faculty in Inside Higher Ed

Ray VanArragon

A Friendly Critique of the “Confessing Faculty” Statement (Ray VanArragon)

March 27, 2017

As of yesterday afternoon, the Confessing Faculty statement of confession and commitment had 424 signatures from faculty and staff at seventy Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries. One of my 34 colleagues from Bethel to sign the statement was philosopher Ray VanArragon, who nonetheless had some reservations about the document. I invited him to share those concerns (and his reasons for … More A Friendly Critique of the “Confessing Faculty” Statement (Ray VanArragon)

Confessing Faculty logo

Confessing Faculty: Why I Signed (and Why I Hesitated)

March 22, 2017

It’s probably getting harder to believe my earlier claim that I rarely sign petitions, now that I’ve gone ahead and done so three times since last February. But please believe me that I don’t add my name lightly to documents like this “Statement of Confession and Commitment,” signed by a growing group of “Confessing Faculty” and inspired by … More Confessing Faculty: Why I Signed (and Why I Hesitated)

Weiner, "Learn of Me"

God’s Glory, Neighbor’s Good: Revisiting the Pietist Vision for Christian Higher Education

March 7, 2017

Two weeks ago today, I had the chance to talk about Pietism and teaching with college and seminary faculty, staff, and administrators at North Park University in Chicago. It was the third time that I’ve been invited to another Christian college campus to reflect on themes from our 2015 book, The Pietist Vision of Christian Higher Education, … More God’s Glory, Neighbor’s Good: Revisiting the Pietist Vision for Christian Higher Education

Calvin College Chapel

Don’t (Always) Judge Christian Colleges By Their Alumni

March 1, 2017

Every day that I walk into work at Bethel University, I pass by these words from the school’s founder, John Alexis Edgren: Measure our performance by what God accomplishes through our graduates after they have been prepared at Bethel to go out into the world to serve. In general, I think that’s a wise maxim for … More Don’t (Always) Judge Christian Colleges By Their Alumni

Starting to Think Through a New Course: Christians and Unity

February 9, 2017

I won’t be teaching it for several months yet, but I’m starting to think through a new course that I’ll be teaching this fall at Bethel University: “Christians and Unity.” It’s going to be one of the first sections offered in a new first-year general education course called Inquiry Seminar, in which [w]hile exploring a specific topic of … More Starting to Think Through a New Course: Christians and Unity

Muhlenberg College

Economic Diversity and Social Mobility at Christian Colleges

February 8, 2017

Back in November 2012 I wondered about the economic diversity of Christian and church-related colleges and universities. “While I’m glad to see more attention being given to the treatment of women and people of color on Christian college campuses,” I wrote, “it also makes me realize how little I’ve heard us talk about a third potential … More Economic Diversity and Social Mobility at Christian Colleges

Jerry Falwell, Jr.

The Face of Christian Higher Education Is Not Jerry Falwell, Jr.

February 3, 2017

On Tuesday Jerry Falwell, Jr., the president of Liberty University, told the Chronicle of Higher Education that he’s been asked by the Trump administration to head up a task force recommending higher ed policy changes for the Department of Education. (In late November Falwell had told the Associated Press that he turned down the Secretary of Education position … More The Face of Christian Higher Education Is Not Jerry Falwell, Jr.