The Churches and Higher Education
Sermon
Doors To God
SPECIAL OCCASION SERMONS
Christian College Sunday
What do the churches have to do with higher education? For this sermon 'churches' shall mean organized groups of worshipers claiming faith in Jesus Christ. 'Higher education' shall mean 'the practice of teaching and learning above the high school level.'
Traces of institutions which can be called 'schools of higher education' can be found in history as far back as the Sixth Century before the Christ was born. During the 'Dark Ages' the schools which became the parents of the modern university were born. Since public schools were unknown, priests gathered youngsters in the churches to teach them. As these youngsters finished what may be called 'high school,' the need arose for advanced education, especially for priests, lawyers and physicians. In Bologna was established a university chiefly for the education of lawyers; and at Salerno, a university chiefly for the education of physicians.
In England the church established Oxford and Cambridge. When the European colonists came to this country, schools such as Harvard and Yale were established by the church primarily for the education of clergy. As the churches pushed west, they founded universities such as Drake, Notre Dame and Southern Methodist. Thus far the university movement had, with few exceptions, been sponsored solely by the church.
With the passage of the Morrill Act by the United States Congress in 1862, a new type of school of higher education was born in the United States -- the state college.
Since 1862, each state has founded at least one state college. At the beginning of this movement, it was the church which furnished much of the leadership for these schools. Today the picture has changed. Most state universities today have at least four points in common. They have secular faculties. They are big. They place a strong emphasis on vocational education as well as broad, general education. By law, the principles by which they operate are purely secular.
Within this last century the world has witnessed some negative results of state-controlled education. In Germany the universities under Hitler became largely tools for propaganda and for devising weapons of war. In the Soviet Union the idea of a liberal education has been almost lost; the schools have there, too, become propaganda tools.
What do the churches have to do with higher education? An old rule of thumb of science is that the two primary drives of any living thing are self-preservation and propagation of the species. These are also the strongest drives for the support of higher education by the church.
First, higher education should be supported by the churches for their own self-preservation. Out of the college and universities have come for the last thousand years the bulk of the professional leadership of the church. Luther was a professor at Wittenberg. The first Methodists were students at Oxford. From Cambridge and Oxford came the King James Version of the Bible. From the seminaries and universities have come the scholars to translate the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
The modern missionary movement was largely born in the colleges. One of the remarkable facts about the World Council of Churches is that many of its leaders are old friends, tracing their friendships back to the interdenominational student movements. In fact, perhaps more than any other factor, the student movements made possible the World Council of Churches.
Second, higher education should be supported by the churches in order to propagate their message. In university circles it is common to speak of the 'problem of faith.' An educated person needs a philosophy of life, a religious faith with which to handle truth. One cannot be a 'whole' person without faith. The Christian faith assumes that the light of the Christ has bearing on the problems of modern people. To be educated in an understanding of Christianity is imperative.
How can the Christian message be shared in a world of secular higher education? Many solutions are being attempted today. First are what may be called 'around the edges' solutions. Among these would be Christian Foundations like those at the University of Illinois; Interfaith Schools like that at the University of Iowa; affiliated schools of religion next door, like that at the University of Oregon; denominational student centers; youth programs at churches next door; religious clubs on the campus; seminaries; denominational colleges; and seasons of religious emphases.
These are doing a tremendous job, and no criticism of their efforts is intended when it is said that they are insufficient. Can the churches be content until it is admitted by institutions of higher education that religious faith is essential for the educated person? Can the churches be content until religion has permeated the framework of the modern university? Can the churches be content until the importance of the Christian tradition in world events is recognized in history departments? Can the churches be content until the economics departments and economic systems are judged by Judaeo-Christian standards of justice? Can the churches be content until in the science departments a religious interpretation of the universe is at least explained?
What is the church’s duty to higher education? To be sure it includes financial support. But is the problem primarily financial? Or is the problem rather one of personality? A hundred-acre campus with the latest buildings and equipment can fail to educate the whole individual. Much depends on the teacher in the class room.
Perhaps the most effective thing that the churches can do for higher education is to make a place in higher education for balanced Christian instruction and maintain its presence as a respected alternative to state-funded secular institutions, providing the highest quality education for those who desire spiritual as well as secular understanding.
Prayer
Our God, who are 'gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,' (Psalms 145:8) we, who are often hasty to anger and lacking in steadfast love, worship You, who are 'good to all' and whose 'compassion is over all' (Psalms 145:9) that You have made. You are our strength, our song, and our salvation. You have made us and we are Yours. In You our minds are stretched and new horizons are opened upon our lives. From You we have received the lessons for abundant living. To You we look with gladness for the light which You have shared with us.
We praise You, our God, for Christian schools which teach us that the fear of You is the beginning of knowledge. We thank You for the noble men and women who labor in these schools as seekers after Your truth.
For Christian centers of learning in distant lands, as well as for those in our own nation, we thank You.
Guide the staffs, faculties, and student bodies of Christian schools. Give to them quickened insights into Your will. In days of frustration and conflict, assure them of Your love and sustaining power. Help them to rise above petty fears into the quiet confidence which is known through being Your genuine tools in the world.
Give us, our God, the vision and the dedication to support these our Christian schools through our interest, our stewardship, and our prayers. Through him who dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, who was himself the way, the truth, and the life. Amen
What do the churches have to do with higher education? For this sermon 'churches' shall mean organized groups of worshipers claiming faith in Jesus Christ. 'Higher education' shall mean 'the practice of teaching and learning above the high school level.'
Traces of institutions which can be called 'schools of higher education' can be found in history as far back as the Sixth Century before the Christ was born. During the 'Dark Ages' the schools which became the parents of the modern university were born. Since public schools were unknown, priests gathered youngsters in the churches to teach them. As these youngsters finished what may be called 'high school,' the need arose for advanced education, especially for priests, lawyers and physicians. In Bologna was established a university chiefly for the education of lawyers; and at Salerno, a university chiefly for the education of physicians.
In England the church established Oxford and Cambridge. When the European colonists came to this country, schools such as Harvard and Yale were established by the church primarily for the education of clergy. As the churches pushed west, they founded universities such as Drake, Notre Dame and Southern Methodist. Thus far the university movement had, with few exceptions, been sponsored solely by the church.
With the passage of the Morrill Act by the United States Congress in 1862, a new type of school of higher education was born in the United States -- the state college.
Since 1862, each state has founded at least one state college. At the beginning of this movement, it was the church which furnished much of the leadership for these schools. Today the picture has changed. Most state universities today have at least four points in common. They have secular faculties. They are big. They place a strong emphasis on vocational education as well as broad, general education. By law, the principles by which they operate are purely secular.
Within this last century the world has witnessed some negative results of state-controlled education. In Germany the universities under Hitler became largely tools for propaganda and for devising weapons of war. In the Soviet Union the idea of a liberal education has been almost lost; the schools have there, too, become propaganda tools.
What do the churches have to do with higher education? An old rule of thumb of science is that the two primary drives of any living thing are self-preservation and propagation of the species. These are also the strongest drives for the support of higher education by the church.
First, higher education should be supported by the churches for their own self-preservation. Out of the college and universities have come for the last thousand years the bulk of the professional leadership of the church. Luther was a professor at Wittenberg. The first Methodists were students at Oxford. From Cambridge and Oxford came the King James Version of the Bible. From the seminaries and universities have come the scholars to translate the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
The modern missionary movement was largely born in the colleges. One of the remarkable facts about the World Council of Churches is that many of its leaders are old friends, tracing their friendships back to the interdenominational student movements. In fact, perhaps more than any other factor, the student movements made possible the World Council of Churches.
Second, higher education should be supported by the churches in order to propagate their message. In university circles it is common to speak of the 'problem of faith.' An educated person needs a philosophy of life, a religious faith with which to handle truth. One cannot be a 'whole' person without faith. The Christian faith assumes that the light of the Christ has bearing on the problems of modern people. To be educated in an understanding of Christianity is imperative.
How can the Christian message be shared in a world of secular higher education? Many solutions are being attempted today. First are what may be called 'around the edges' solutions. Among these would be Christian Foundations like those at the University of Illinois; Interfaith Schools like that at the University of Iowa; affiliated schools of religion next door, like that at the University of Oregon; denominational student centers; youth programs at churches next door; religious clubs on the campus; seminaries; denominational colleges; and seasons of religious emphases.
These are doing a tremendous job, and no criticism of their efforts is intended when it is said that they are insufficient. Can the churches be content until it is admitted by institutions of higher education that religious faith is essential for the educated person? Can the churches be content until religion has permeated the framework of the modern university? Can the churches be content until the importance of the Christian tradition in world events is recognized in history departments? Can the churches be content until the economics departments and economic systems are judged by Judaeo-Christian standards of justice? Can the churches be content until in the science departments a religious interpretation of the universe is at least explained?
What is the church’s duty to higher education? To be sure it includes financial support. But is the problem primarily financial? Or is the problem rather one of personality? A hundred-acre campus with the latest buildings and equipment can fail to educate the whole individual. Much depends on the teacher in the class room.
Perhaps the most effective thing that the churches can do for higher education is to make a place in higher education for balanced Christian instruction and maintain its presence as a respected alternative to state-funded secular institutions, providing the highest quality education for those who desire spiritual as well as secular understanding.
Prayer
Our God, who are 'gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,' (Psalms 145:8) we, who are often hasty to anger and lacking in steadfast love, worship You, who are 'good to all' and whose 'compassion is over all' (Psalms 145:9) that You have made. You are our strength, our song, and our salvation. You have made us and we are Yours. In You our minds are stretched and new horizons are opened upon our lives. From You we have received the lessons for abundant living. To You we look with gladness for the light which You have shared with us.
We praise You, our God, for Christian schools which teach us that the fear of You is the beginning of knowledge. We thank You for the noble men and women who labor in these schools as seekers after Your truth.
For Christian centers of learning in distant lands, as well as for those in our own nation, we thank You.
Guide the staffs, faculties, and student bodies of Christian schools. Give to them quickened insights into Your will. In days of frustration and conflict, assure them of Your love and sustaining power. Help them to rise above petty fears into the quiet confidence which is known through being Your genuine tools in the world.
Give us, our God, the vision and the dedication to support these our Christian schools through our interest, our stewardship, and our prayers. Through him who dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, who was himself the way, the truth, and the life. Amen
