chpt 2

This is Dr. Malik's address, on which this entire book is based.

How have you seen Christians from different backgrounds work together? Do you think things are better in this regard since he wrote this (early 80's)? Does your faith tradition/church encourage this?

(In most of our discussions it seems to be true that things are much better on a global basis since Malik's address, but not necassarily locally. Some communities and even campus communities seem to have a better spirit of oneness than others)



How does the university foster pride and self-sufficiency??


Do you agree with his assessment of the humanities?

Do you know of leaders in your field who are Christians??
(See my comment-and although it may be rare to see a Nobel Prize winner among us, excellence in our work is still very important and speaks volumes-and I would add, very biblical!)

On the bottom of page 62, Malik states the university only reflects the mind of the current culture. Do you agree? If true, what real difference can we make??

We all seem to agree that the university "runs the world" (as one of you remarked "Wow, if we run the world, shouldn't we get paid more?!" :)

But is the university (generally speaking) that devoid of Christ? Some would say the pluralism that dominates is a good thing-Christians can speak with an equal voice and not just be the voice of traditional dominance. Others agree with Malik, that Christ is generally rejected and not given a fair hearing. No doubt the degree of this varies from campus to campus. Have you thoughtfully evaluated your campus? Department?

Finally, Malik pleads with us: Wake up!! (pg 65) The need is imminent!! Since this was given in 1980, we can say many HAVE woken up-including you dear reader! This faculty ministry among many others around the world is just what he hoped to see!!

Some further thoughts from an English prof:

Hi Rob,

Thanks for sharing this article. I've never heard a Christian emphasize the role of humanities scholars in universities the way that Malik does. It's an interesting view. I think he's right in his evaluation that the various humanities perspectives can be summarized as self-worship, but I don't think that's anything particular to the humanities. All humans worship, and only Christians worship God. So the majority of people on earth worship self, other people, or nature. Still, his characterization of the influence that humanities scholars have is a lot grander than other opinions I've heard. It's good food for thought, especially for a Christian humanities scholar. Thanks for passing along this article.

Chpt 1 Part II

"I feel like two people wrote chpt one!" said one prof. Indeed, Paul Gould goes "philosopher" on us with the section using the term "Metanarrative" on pg 31. (He is a philosopher after all, so let's be patient..." What do you think of his attempt to describe the "big story"? Some feel there needs to be more mentioned re the creation and the ultimate goal of God to RESTORE all things, including salvation for those who are lost, but also the creation....and a better life here and now. What do you think??

pgs 40-50 The fully integrated life.....his definition on pg 40-do you agree? Absolute truth is rejected by many....we must be"comitted pluralists" ...most have liked that term. Most fields cry out for Chritian leadership , not domination. Are there well known Christian voices in your field?

CS Lewis advocated for "explicit" and "implicit" research...and followers of Christ should simply be the best. Does that motivate you....or intimidate you???

Do you think the intelligent design movement is a good example of latent Christian research?"

Ultimately, in the final pages, the call is to be a certain kind of person....can you spend a few moments reflecting on this??

A potentially guilt inducing question: Are students and colleagues attracted to the kind of person you are??

I would say, from what I know of those who come to meetings and studies regularly, the answer is yes!!