Discussion Guide for Marsden's Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship
Chapter 5: "The Positive Contributions
of Theological Context"
Questions by Jon Boyd
Perhaps the best overall question is Marsden's own: "Suppose
someone believed in God, how would the assumptions or conclusions
of our discipline look different?"
"Because there are many Christian theologies and many
academic disciplines, it is impossible to present a simple
set of rules for how theology might be integrated with other
scholarship" (84).
Leaving aside the many answers to that question for the moment,
do you think it's a valid and useful question to ask?
He argues that the universe's divine creation provides a solid
foundation for both our morality and our epistemology (or "philosophy
of knowledge"). Which of these, if either, is the bigger
issue in your field?
Marsden suggests that the Incarnation broadly construed — the
interpenetration of the natural and the supernatural — has "huge
implications when [academics] relate their subjects to the
larger issues of life." Have you seen this happen? That
is, how often does the "occasion to articulate [your]
understanding of the wider context — philosophical, historical,
or practical —" of your academic work arise (92)?
Are there ways to "pump up" your theological understanding
in anticipation of such occasions? Are there ways to make such
occasions more frequent and meaningful?
Have you read or seen or heard a work of art, literature,
drama, or music that helped achieve this difficult, but important,
goal? Anyone inspired to work toward this end? On Marsden's
idea about artists helping us to envision the Incarnation (92),
compare this quotation:
"As [Frederick] Buechner has noted, many modern writers
have plumbed the depths of despair in a world where God seems
largely absent, but few have tried to tackle the reality
of what salvation, of what God's presence, might mean" (Philip
Yancey, "The Reverend of Oz," Books & Culture 3,
no. 2 [March/April 1997]: 9).
He seems to think the impact the doctrine of the Holy Spirit
might have on academics — chiefly on their "attitudes," especially
fostering humility (96) — is very important. Perhaps
an outbreak of academic humility would be spiritually miraculous
indeed! Do you agree?
On the one hand, he emphasizes the weakness or depravity of
the human condition. On the other, he introduces Augustine's "City
of God / City of Man" concept, and uses it to ennoble
the human condition and the academic enterprise. How do these
fit together? (Perhaps reviewing pages 97-98 would help.)
He concludes that "the best education involves being
not only critical, but self-critical" (100). Can you think
of ways a vigorous, biblical Christianity might correct your
own, personal academic path? (This is intended to be a tough,
very personal question!)
Are there "sacred cows" that you cherish in your
discipline which could benefit from a Christ-centered reevaluation?
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