A Stage III Christian University; Beyond Integration of Faith and Learning

The brilliant Reformed philosopher-theologian, Nicholas Wolterstorff, wrote the following article, "The Mission of the Christian College at the end of the 20th Century."  He summarizes his point in this one sentence:  "The Christian college cannot burrow into culture [mine it for its liberal arts treasures] while neglecting the suffering produced by society."  Sounds like Pope Francis: "Leave the security of the sanctuary and enter into the suffering of the streets."

Stage I  "Competent scholarship and Biblical Christian Christianity would fit neatly in one harmonious whole."

Stage II  "Faith and culture are to be united."

Stage III  Wolterstorff does not have a fully developed blueprint for Stage III, but he believes we must add something to Stages I and II.  The key word in stage II was culture (liberal arts or liberating arts).  The key word for Stage III is society.  Society means persons in interaction with others---social roles, social institutions, social structures, the exercise of power and authority, social stratification, ethnocentrism, systems of oppression, systems of justice.  Modern society is full of social problems; we need a theology of society.

In my opinion, Stage III will be ten times more difficult than Stage II when we wrestled with the integration of faith and learning.  Stage III would be a pioneering effort; we would be tackling relatively unchartered territory for evangelicals.  A few years ago someone leading a seminar on ministries in the inner city for white suburban pastors said, "We had to hold the seminar on the third grade level."

Evangelicals are ignorant about the extensive biblical teaching on oppression, justice and the kingdom of God.

Who wants to lead us in this pioneering effort?  How about you, Jennifer Nelson?

PS

1.  Our Racial Wealth Gap

For the first time, the 2016 Democratic platform is acknowledging America's deep racial wealth gap---and the policies that created it.  Will our Christian churches/ theologians catch up?

2.  A century ago Nordic nations had extreme levels of economic inequality; today, relative economic equality.  How did they do it?  See new book Viking Economics.

3.  Michelle Alexander, July 10, 2016,  "Following Horrific Violence, Something More is Required of Us."  Will we lead a social transformation?