A Higher Education

Cover

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Title Page, Half Title Page, Copyright

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pp. iii-iv

Table of Contents

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p. v-v

Foreword

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pp. vii-viii

When I was invited to serve as the fourteenth President of Baylor University, the world of higher education was—and continues to be—in a state of flux. Tuition costs for any university— nearly without exception—are rising steadily. New theories about ...

Introduction: Why Christian Education Matters

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pp. 1-5

In the last decade America has experienced the unprecedented horrors of 9/11 and endured two wars, costly in both treasure and blood. We’ve been rocked by the bursting of the housing bubble and a double-dip recession. In 2010 over 46 million Americans lived below ...

1. Christian Higher Education vs. Christians in Higher Education

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pp. 7-20

It is a custom for public speakers in the U.S. to say, “I’m glad to be here.” Usually that statement is a total fabrication. The speaker would rather be at the beach, at a concert, or at home reading a book. But in my case, I am happy to be here. It also is an honor for me to ...

2. The Myth of the Sovereign Self

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pp. 21-34

I will offer some general comments about the liberal arts and the humanities, and then go on to talk about a specific manifestation of modernity, and the way in which what we might call a classical education or a liberal arts education might help to inform and ...

3. Scholarship in Action and the Public Mission of Universities

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pp. 35-51

At key points in our nation’s history, we’ve turned to our colleges and universities to serve as engines for prosperity and agents of social mobility. This is such a moment. Times are hard, and we are called to help revive our economy and sustain our communities ...

4. Ethics in the Twenty-First Century

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pp. 53-74

My professional life has been devoted to the study, and practice, of bioethics, and this talk will focus on bioethical questions. But as my title suggests, I want to locate the discussion of bioethics within the broader context of ethics in general. There are, as far as ...

5. The Challenges and Opportunities for Liberal Education in a Faith-Based University

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pp. 75-94

In what manner can a faculty and student body pursue liberal education in a faith-based university? To many who think about such matters, the juxtaposition of “liberal” education and a “faith-based” or “Christian” university appears to be a contradiction in terms. Liberal ...

6. The Bible, Baptists, and the Challenge of Christian Higher Education

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pp. 95-111

I am honored to present this address. My personal knowledge extends to only a few of the contributions that Baylor University has made over its long history to the intellectual life of Baptist communities in Texas and that in more recent years it has offered far ...

Notes

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pp. 113-117