Dr Daniel Strange
Speaker and Author
Evangelical Faithfulness in the World of Academia
Quid ergo Athenis et Hierosolymis? What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem,
quid Academiae et ecclesiae? the Academy with
the church,
quid haereticis et christianis? or heretics
with Christians?1
“If I use my intellectual capacities to make myself respectable to the world, in revolution against the one who created it, then I have failed. It is equally true if I use my ignorance for the same purpose. I am to face the cross of Christ in every part of life and with my whole man. The cross of Christ is to be a reality to me not only once for all at my conversion, but all through life as a Christian.”2
Synopsis
Tertullian’s famous lines are as relevant now as they were then, and are questions the evangelical studying in the academy must consider. Inhabiting the world of academia brings great privileges and opportunities but also great responsibilities and potential pitfalls. Whether we are studying within the arts, sciences or social sciences, the agenda and presuppositions of the academy are very different from the agenda and presuppositions of the Body of Christ: in short, there is often a clash of worldviews which, without prior preparation and reflection, can often lead to a dysfunctional faith. Respectability can overtake responsibility, novelty can overtake orthodoxy, pride can overtake humility. In this seminar we will be describing and analysing the coming together of these two worlds and putting forward some practical suggestions for staying both faithful and fruitful during our studies.
Introduction: Once upon a time…
1. Historical Considerations: A Brief History of the University
Pre-Enlightenment
Post-Enlightenment
2. Theological Considerations: Laying some biblical foundations
- Holding together two mandates
- The Cultural Mandate
- The Great Commission
- Holding together two fundamental doctrines
- The doctrine of the Antithesis
- The doctrine of Common Grace
- The Lordship of Christ / Christ the Transformer of Culture
3. Pastoral Considerations: Paul’s advice for staying faithful and fruitful
2 Timothy 1:8-18
- What the Gospel is…. (8-11)
- Be ready to safeguard the gospel! (13,14)
- Be ready to spread the gospel! (11)
- Be ready to suffer for the gospel (8, 12)
- Be ready to support one another with the gospel! (15-18)
4. Future Considerations: Rethinking the Relationship between Athens and Jerusalem
Further reading
eds. Carson, D. A. and John D. Woodbridge, Letters Along the Way (Crossway: 1993)
Clouser, Roy. The Myth of Religious Neutrality (University of Notre Dame Press: 1991)
D’Costa Gavin. Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy & Nation.
(Blackwell: September 2005 forthcoming)
Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God (P&R: 1984)
--------------- Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought (P&R: 1995)
Mouw, Richard. He Shines in All That’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace (Eerdmans: 2001)
Ovey, Mike. ‘Does Athens need Jerusalem? A Christian Context for Secular Thought’ {http://www.jubilee-centre.org/online_documents/DoesAthensneedJerusalem.htm}
Plantinga Jr, Cornelius. Engaging God’s World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living (Eerdmans: 2002)
Sire, James. Naming the Elephant: World View as a Concept (IVP, 2004)
Trueman Carl. ‘The Importance of being Earnest: Approaching theological study’ in eds. Duce, Philip & Daniel Strange. Keeping Your Balance: Approaching Theological and Religious Studies (IVP: 2001)
Footnotes
1 Tertullian, De praescriptione haereticorum vii (34) 9,12 (late second century)
2 Francis Schaeffer, True Spirituality (London: Hodder, 1971), 42.
© Dr Daniel Strange 2005
