Historically, the University owes its existence to the Church, as the Medieval Church played a central, if not exclusive, role in establishing the earliest universities. In the 18th century, the School began to separate itself from its Christian roots and ceded increasing control to the State. Even so, the School and the Church shared some common purpose: to shape individuals into participants in society whose vision for the good life included care for neighbors, civic action, and understanding of the world. In the present American system of higher education, which includes both secular and religious institutions, that shared purpose has waned. Trust in the University is low, and higher education as a whole is struggling to find its footing in the world of rapid technological development.
In part one of this five-part series, Dave and Autumn discuss the tensions within Christian Higher Ed. They consider the unique opportunity for churches to respond thoughtfully to the state of the University and shifting cultural tides by deeply rooting the family of God in biblical truth.
