Answering Objections to the Integration of Faith and Learning at Christian Colleges Integrating Faith and Learning Coastland University Prof. Robert Harris

Objection 1: Religious perspectives toward academic knowledge do not exist. Yes, they do. –Interpretation –Assumptions They can be developed. –Nonexistent does not mean cannot be developed

Objection 2: Religious perspectives are irrelevant to disciplinary knowledge. The meaning of knowledge involves religious assumptions. –Epistemology –Ontology

Objection 3: There is no uniquely Christian theory or approach to a subject. Most theories have elements in common with other approaches

Objection 4: Attempts to define a Christian theory would not produce a very good theory. All theoretical work must start somewhere Initial attempts might be rough Some attempts may be robust from the outset

Objection 5: A single, agreed-upon Christian perspective doesn’t exist, so it can’t be taught. It is natural to expect variation within Christian approaches Few theoretical schools have only one approach (evolution, Marxism, feminism)

Objection 6: A Christian perspective would be unfair to other religious perspectives. Christianity provides knowledge, not subjective belief Christian knowledge needs to be incorporated into learning for a full view of reality

Objection 7: Christian scholarship would be biased and subjective. Christianity, through Biblical revelation, provides an objective foundation for knowledge Christian scholarship should be the least biased and least subjective

Objection 8: A Christian perspective would cause instruction to lack integrity. Christian truth guarantees integrity Exposes all religious perspectives Restrains other disciplines Exalts truth Provides holistic view of knowledge

Objection 9: Working within a Christian context would lower academic quality. Working out God’s truth should raise rather than lower the bar Motivation Truth seeking Holistic view

Bibliography Robert Harris, “Answering Objections to the Integration of Faith and Learning at Christian Colleges,” at All photos from Microsoft Design Gallery