Christian College and the Meaning of Academic Freedom

William C. Ringenberg is Professor of History emeritus at Taylor University, USA. He is also a past president of the Conference on Faith and History, and an associate research fellow at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture. His major work is The Christian College: A History of Protestant Higher Education in America.

• Foreword; George MarsdenPrefacePART I: CHRISTIAN VALUES AS CONTEXT FOR THE IDEA OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM 1. Freedom2. Seeking3. Honesty4. Humility5. Courage6. Prudence7. Love8. Meaning9. Harmony and Balance10. CommunityPART II: THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN AMERICA: A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE INTERPRETATION 11. The English Model: Anglican Dominance12. The German Model: Secular Dominance13. The Early American Model: Protestant Dominance14. The Later American Model: Secular Hegemony15. The Modern Christian College Model16. Institutional Academic Freedom17. Student Academic Freedom18. Economic Limits as Academic Limits: The Problem of Accessibility19. Evangelicals and Catholics: Narrowing the GapPART III: TESTING THE LIMITS: RECENT CASE STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION 20. The Origins Debate (I)21. The Origins Debate (II)22. Sexual and Gender Identity (I)23. Sexual and Gender Identity (II)24. College and Church: Complement and Conflict25. Theological Nuance26. Gender, Race, and Ethnicity27. Secular University Restrictions and Their Broader Implications28. Government Restrictions and Accreditation Uncertainties29. Due ProcessEpilogueBibliography

"This book is timely and badly needed. It is fair, balanced, thoughtful, and discerning. It provides wise counsel to those responsible for the protection of academic freedom in both Christian and secular academies." - Anthony Diekema, President Emeritus, Calvin College (1976-95), USA, and author, Academic Freedom and the Christian College 'This is a well-conceived project by one of the most seasoned scholars to study Christian higher education in the past generation. The book has the added benefit of Ringenberg's clear and felicitous prose, his ability to weave story and ideas into a readable narrative, his sense of balance, fairness, and Christian charity. A very helpful book for anyone interested in academic freedom in the Christian college world.' - Barry Hankins, Professor of History and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of History, Baylor University, USA "This book is helpful not just for scholars in Christian colleges but also for those in secular universities. With clear style, lucid histories, and riveting case studies, Ringenberg argues for an understanding of academic freedom that can draw together scholars from different types of institutions when they value intellectual humility and are interested foremost in seeking truth." - Philip Goff, Director, Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, IUPUI, USA "This is a comprehensive, carefully-researched, and thoughtfully written work. Scholars, policy-makers, faculty and administrators, and all those who want to be more fully informed about this branch of higher education will find this work an absolutely essential part of their library. Some of what you may believe to be true about Christian higher education will certainly be challenged. And that is a good thing." - Ronald Mahurin, Vice President for Strategy and Planning, Stamats Higher Education Consulting, USA