The Christian University & The Academic Establishment is a compelling exploration of the challenges facing Christian higher education in America today. Written by a seasoned professor with nearly four decades of experience, this book delves into the historical and ideological tensions that threaten the identity of Christian universities.
From the origins of academic freedom and tenure to the rise of leftist ideologies like Critical Race Theory and postmodern activism, the author critiques the secular pressures eroding faith-based institutions. Drawing on landmark cases like Dartmouth v. Woodward and the AAUP’s 1915 Declaration, the text offers a robust defense of Christian education’s unique mission. Blending personal reflection with scholarly analysis, Highfield argues that a true Christian institution must remain an extension of the church’s witness, grounded in biblical truth. Ideal for educators, administrators, trustees, and anyone passionate about the future of faith-based learning, this book challenges readers to rethink the purpose of higher education in a secular age.
Perfect for those seeking to preserve a Christian worldview in academia, it’s a must-read for navigating the complex landscape of modern universities.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Overview of the Book
- Part I Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Shared Governance
- Academic Freedom and the Christian University: A Historical Perspective
- Academic Freedom as a First Amendment Right?
- Against Academic Freedom as a First Amendment Right
- Academic Freedom in the Postmodern University and the Christian University
- Tenure: Guaranteed Lifetime Employment?
- Shared Governance
- Part Two The New Left Invades Higher Education and Threatens the Christian University
- The Challenges to the Christian University from the Political and Cultural Left
- America’s Cultural Revolution: Its Implications for Higher Education
- Is the Christian Left Truly Christian?
- Part III The Idea of a Christian University
- What Makes a University Christian?
- Can Christian Scholars and Universities be Truly Academic?
- Conclusion and Suggestions for the Christian University
- Excursus: Another Look at Dartmouth v. Woodward, the AAUP Declaration, and Rabban, Academic Freedom
- Bibliography
- Index
