The Fearless Christian University
John W. Hawthorne
(Author)
Description
What is Christian higher education, and what makes it distinctive? Sociologist and educator John Hawthorne laments the fact that fear has become a defining characteristic of many Christian universities today: fear of mission drift, public relations crises, demographic change, culture wars, and more. Hawthorne argues that when colleges focus their energies on such concerns, they fail to prepare students for constructive lives in a post-Christian society. Proposing a dramatically different vision, Hawthorne argues that the long-term success of today's Christian university rests upon its ability to be fearless. He encourages Christian schools to center student questions and experiences, to pursue research that meets real needs in the church and society, and to participate boldly in their cultural contexts.
Hawthorne's proposal draws on his decades of experience as a scholar and practitioner of Christian higher education, combining insights from administration and teaching roles in five different Christian universities with historical and sociological literature on conservative evangelicals and their institution building. The Fearless Christian University is essential reading for faculty, administrators, trustees, donors, and alumni and offers a clarion call to all who care about the future of Christian higher education.
Product Details
| Publisher | William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company |
| Publish Date | February 13, 2025 |
| Pages | 164 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Paperback / softback |
| EAN/UPC | 9780802884565 |
| Dimensions | 8.9 X 6.0 X 0.5 inches | 0.5 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
--Rick Ostrander, Michigan Christian Study Center
"Whether I agree or disagree with him, no one makes me think more deeply, critically, and creatively about Christian higher education than John Hawthorne. Drawing on his extensive experience as a professor, administrator, and accreditation peer reviewer, John offers knowledgeable analysis of the challenges facing Christian universities and a hopeful vision for their future. Thought provoking and wide ranging, The Fearless Christian University will be especially valuable reading for the leaders whose decisions now will shape their institutions for years to come."
--Christopher Gehrz, Bethel University
"Drawing on his expertise as a social scientist and decades of experience in Christian higher education, Hawthorne diagnoses the cultural, institutional, and demographic challenges facing Christian colleges and universities--especially those led by fear of change and perceived threats from the outside world. Hawthorne offers an alternative vision of the Christian university in which faculty, students, and administrators cooperate in crafting and living out their core values with courage and hope for the future. This book is a valuable resource to those concerned about the present state of Christian higher education and anyone interested in a fresh paradigm that places liberal learning at the center of the Christian university."
--Scott M. Coley, author of Ministers of Propaganda
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