Looking for god in the university: examining trends in Christian higher education

Abstract

Amid the many recent treatments of the global growth of both Christianity and higher education, little to no attention has been given to distinctly Christian higher education. The survey reported in this essay uses an understanding of Christian education developed from analytical work by Robert Benne to examine the number and nature of colleges and universities that retain and nurture a distinct Christian identity. The results indicate that Christian higher education continues to expand throughout the world, challenging the assumed linear trend toward secularization. This paper focuses upon the results of our survey in countries beyond Canada and the United States where most of the recent growth is occurring. We found a total 579 institutions outside of these areas. When we analyzed the origins, denomination, size, funding, and areas of study of these institutions we found some unique patterns that shed light upon the group as a whole and how they relate to larger trends within higher education.

Withstand or succumb : Christian universities and the implications of Obergefell v. Hodges

“…The second type requires that a critical mass from the specific religious tradition make up the various campus constituencies but does not require every member to participate or believe in a Christian tradition. These first two are guided by a Christian vision and are substantively different from the pluralist institutions that are guided by postmodernism, have an Enlightenment mentality, or are focused on professional goals (Glanzer, Carpenter, & Lantinga, 2010). …”

“…Despite these challenges, globally the number of religious institutions is increasing as is growing enrollment (Arthur, 2008;Glanzer et al, 2010). Much of the growth in Christian higher education has occurred in what Glanzer et al (2010) refer to as the Global South, including Africa and Latin America.…”

“…Much of the growth in Christian higher education has occurred in what Glanzer et al (2010) refer to as the Global South, including Africa and Latin America. This is despite the fact that Western intellectuals and social scientists have been arguing that religion is coming to an end for the last three centuries (Berger, 1967;Stark, 1999).…”

“…Although religious universities are not in decline globally (Glanzer et al, 2010), the role of Christian universities in America has changed dramatically. From the early universities founded primarily to train ministers, today the environment is much more diverse: public universities and community colleges; private, secular universities; and for-profit institutions all compete alongside church-affiliated private universities.…”

“…From the early universities founded primarily to train ministers, today the environment is much more diverse: public universities and community colleges; private, secular universities; and for-profit institutions all compete alongside church-affiliated private universities. Within the last category, the majority of church-affiliated institutions are no longer characterized as Christian universities (Benne, 2001;Glanzer et al, 2010;Marsden, 1994), reflecting a wider societal shift. The secularization of higher education has been a long-term process (Arthur, 2008), and was accelerated in the 20th century by the impacts of the G.I.…”