Christian College, Christian Calling

Steve Wilkens, Paul Shrier, and Ralph P. Martin are professors of theology at Azusa Pacific University.

Christian colleges have been set up by Christian churches throughout American history. But all too often these schools and the groups that support them come into conflict, typically over what is being taught in religion and philosophy classes. Christian College, Christian Calling seeks not so much to resolve this tension between congregation and academy as to explain why it exists and why it might even be fruitful. Instructors of philosophy, theology, church history, Biblical studies, and ministry from Azusa Pacific University explain the value of their disciplines in down-to-earth terms¿not in terms of academic achievement but in terms of the Christian life. Looking to get past the stereotypes of liberal, faith-diluting colleges and conservative, unthinking churches, Christian College, Christian Calling provides an invaluable resource for anyone concerned about the mission and relevance of Christian higher education.

1 The Not-So-Great Divide 2 Being Good: An Invitation to Ethical Thinking 3 Phil-LOST-ophy or "Love of Wisdom" 4 Hermeneutics: Why Do We Have to Interpret Scripture Anyway? 5 Old Testament: Congregation and Academy Share a Whole Bible, Not Just a Half 6 The Academic Side of New Testament Studies 7 Church History: Surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses 8 Systematic Theology: Theology In, For, and From the Church 9 Youth Ministry: Taking a Seat at the Grown-Ups' Table 10 Pastoral Ministry: A Partnership between Academy and Congregation 11 Practical Theology: A Bridge Across the Divide? 12 Bridging Past and Future