Conflicting allegiances

By John Wesley Wright

Book Description

Michael L. Budde presents a provocative examination of Christian higher education that questions fundamental assumptions about how faith and learning intersect in academic settings. This collection of essays challenges readers to reconsider the relationship between church identity and university life, moving beyond conventional approaches that simply accommodate religious perspectives within existing educational frameworks.

The book explores how Christian institutions might authentically integrate theology, scripture, and various academic disciplines without defaulting to secular categories of knowledge. Rather than accepting traditional divisions between scientific facts, humanistic values, and practical applications, Budde and his contributors envision an educational approach rooted in the church's distinctive mission and witness.

Central to this vision is a reimagined understanding of academic freedom that prioritizes formation within the Christian community over individual intellectual autonomy. The essays examine how faculty and students might be shaped not merely as scholars or professionals, but as members of the body of Christ called to embody peace and justice in their academic work.

This thought-provoking collection will resonate with educators, students, and church leaders wrestling with questions about Christian identity in pluralistic academic environments. Budde offers no easy answers but invites readers into a deeper conversation about what it means to pursue knowledge and truth within the context of Christian discipleship and community formation.