Tag: Higher Education

"Why Study History?" Wordle

A Counterintuitive Economic Argument for Majoring in the Humanities

August 28, 2018

It happened again this summer. I was faced with further evidence of declining enrollment in history, English, philosophy, theology, and other humanities disciplines at our institution. So after making a few other arguments, I arrived at my typical last line of defense: “Anyway, these things are cyclical. The humanities will come back. Just look at … More A Counterintuitive Economic Argument for Majoring in the Humanities

Cover of 2018 Bethel Faculty Retreat program

The Impact of One Life on Another: My Address to Bethel’s Faculty

August 27, 2018

Today is the first day of fall classes here at Bethel University, so I thought I’d share the brief address I delivered last Tuesday at our faculty retreat, as our faculty president for the coming year. I didn’t reflect on the theme verse (“For we are the aroma of Christ to God,” 2 Cor 2:15), … More The Impact of One Life on Another: My Address to Bethel’s Faculty

Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me

That Was The Week That Was

August 4, 2018

Beyond steering readers to Jay Phelan’s revived blog and reflecting on the “Baptist Pietist” legacy of G.W. Carlson, I enjoyed a quiet late summer week here at The Pietist Schoolman. Here’s some of what I read elsewhere: • In light of President Trump’s latest attacks on the “unpatriotic” press, I’m even more sure of the conclusion … More That Was The Week That Was

Saint John's Abbey Church

That Was The Week That Was

June 16, 2018

Here… • I wrestled with how and why Christians should pray for a political leader like Donald Trump. • My travels out east took me through Bethlehem, Pennsylvania — home of one of the most significant Moravian communities in history. • And if you’re interested in seeing other historic sites on your travels this summer, … More That Was The Week That Was

Me with four of my DC-based former students

That Was The Week That Was

June 9, 2018

Here… • Greetings from the East Coast! While I’m out here doing research, I’ll also be preaching or teaching at several churches. • A visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum (and reading his daughter’s memoir) made me wonder again about Charles Lindbergh’s views on Jewish people. …There and Everywhere • Being in DC also gave … More That Was The Week That Was

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

That Was The Week That Was

May 27, 2018

Here… • My favorite movie of the year is a documentary on teaching by one of my best friends. • Latest evidence that it’s hard to define “evangelical,” the wide range of evangelical responses to a wedding sermon. • The best version of the “Pietist option” is probably a multiethnic church. …There and Everywhere • … More That Was The Week That Was

Why We Teach

May 24, 2018

It’s made by one of my best friends. It consists of nothing but interviews with professors at a small university, plus images from public domain films. I’m in it. For all these reasons, you won’t want to believe what I’m about to write. But it’s still true: Why We Teach is the most compelling documentary you’ll … More Why We Teach