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Philosophy of Christian Higher Education
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In today’s world, where Biblical principles and values are being challenged to an unprecedented degree, there is an increasing need for Christian higher education that is truly Christ-centered. Leaders in Christian higher education need to operate out of a Biblically-based, well-thought-out philosophy of Christian higher education. This philosophy has several components.
All truth comes from God
Christian higher education begins with a Christian worldview that acknowledges God as the source of all truth. All truth is consistent with the principles of the Word of God. Much truth, however, is not specifically revealed in God's Word, but is consistent with the principles of God's Word. It is essential, therefore, that institutions of Christian higher education train students in the Word of God. Furthermore, students must be trained in Biblical principles that help them to discern truth that is not specifically revealed in the Bible.
Christian higher education must be holistic
In institutions of Christian higher education, the tendency is to train the mind, while giving less attention to other aspects of the whole person, such as the spirit and the body. Even when attention is focused on the spirit and body, it is often done from an intellectual perspective. Education that leads to life-long learning, however, is holistic in approach, engaging all aspects of the person—spirit, mind, and body.
Faith-learning integration should result in the integration of faith, learning, and living
According to the Bible, true faith leads to works (Ephesians 2:10), since faith without works is dead (James 2:14-20). Faith-learning integration is of little value if it is practiced only on an intellectual level. Christian educators and their students should be challenged to find ways to put faith-learning integration into practice, so that it results in the integration of faith, learning, and living.
Faith-learning integration must be assessed
One of the tenets of the quality movement is that people will pay attention to the things that are measured. Most regional and specialized accrediting associations are requiring that goal attainment be assessed. If the integration of faith and learning is one of the primary goals of Christian higher education, then the degree to which faith-learning integration is occurring must be assessed. Assessing faith-learning integration helps to ensure that integration takes place, because the process of assessment helps focus attention on the importance of the integration of faith and learning.
The integration of faith, learning, and living begins in the classroom, but doesn't stop there
Christian educators often assume that integration takes place at the level of the professor in the classroom—which it does, hopefully—but that is insufficient. Integration should take place everywhere on campus, within every department and office. Integration should also take place off-campus in the lives of students and faculty members, in churches and nonprofit organizations, homes and businesses. An integral part of this is the modeling of servant leadership by the administration, faculty, and staff of the institution, along with opportunities for students to become servant leaders.
All Christians are called to full-time Christian service, but in many different vocations
Sometimes Christians place the “professional” ministry in an exalted role, treating it as the highest calling that a person can receive. But a holistic understanding of Christian vocation reveals that all Christians are called to full-time Christian service. Some are called to be paid by ministry organizations; others are called to be paid by the organizations in which they minister while fulfilling God's call to a specific vocation. Christian universities must help students to discover God's calling, and then equip them to fulfill those vocations with excellence, so that their ministries may be effective.
There is a legitimate need for Christian higher education
While it is not possible for all Christian youth to attend Christian universities, most will benefit from attending a Christian university if given the opportunity. A Christian higher education is beneficial for the following reasons:
The college years are an important developmental time
These are the years when students develop their belief systems. They do so by examining the belief systems that they were raised with, either affirming or rejecting components of those systems. Students need to be able to go through this process in an environment committed to a Christian worldview. This is especially true in regards to the general education component of the college experience, which covers material relevant to an individual's worldview. Christian universities must give students the opportunity to interact with these concepts in a supportive environment that encourages critical thinking while maintaining a Christian worldview.
The Christian university experience provides a beneficial learning atmosphere
At large secular universities, students not only encounter anti-Christian worldviews, but they encounter environments that are not conducive to learning in terms of class sizes, student-faculty interaction, effective advisement, and quality of instruction. The small-to-medium-sized Christian university offers reasonable class sizes and excellent professors with a personal interest in their students. The difference is significant and worthwhile.
The Christian university provides a training ground for future church leadership
Christian universities are training not only the pastors, evangelists, and missionaries of the near future, but also the elders, deacons, teachers, youth leaders, and small group leaders of the church. The investments that congregations make in Christian higher education are amply rewarded.
The Christian university develops missionaries
As a professor, I shared with my students that they were being trained to be missionaries to one of the most significant mission fields in the world—corporate business. They will take God's light into places in which darkness rules or the light is only dimly seen, and they will be beacons in the darkness. Similarly, students in education, ministry, liberal arts, and other professional fields are being prepared to minister effectively in their fields.
The Christian university provides opportunities to experience foreign and home missions
One of the legitimate roles of Christian universities is to give students the opportunity to engage in short-term missions, whether domestic or foreign. This often develops in them a heart for missions, which they may fulfill through long-term or short-term assignments, or through generous support for missions.
The Christian university provides one of the best places to find a spouse
One of my motivations for attending a Christian university was to find a godly wife. She was there looking for a godly husband (although when she first found me, she wasn't 100 percent convinced that I qualified). I'm convinced that if there were absolutely no other benefits to attending a Christian university, the opportunity to find a godly spouse is worth the investment.
Christian higher education rises no higher than its leadership
The key to effective Christian higher education is the people involved—administration, faculty, staff, and students. Christian universities need visionary leaders who can energize and mobilize talented individuals to provide a world-class education. These leaders must be committed to serving God. They must be committed to the integrity of the Word of God. And they must be dedicated servants who model the servant leadership of Jesus.
Christian higher education must truly be Christ-centered education
I am distressed when I see universities whose Christianity has become “historic.” Progress should mean becoming more of what God has called a university to become, not becoming less. When a Christian university strays from Biblical principles, it loses its most important advantage. As Billy Graham declared at the dedication of Oral Roberts University, “if this institution ever departs from the Christian principles on which it was founded, may it be cursed by God.”
Tremendous opportunities exist within the field of Christian higher education, along with tremendous risks. Those institutions that remain committed to true Christian education, while staying in touch with the changing needs of the marketplace, will prosper and will change the world.
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