The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship

by George M. Marsden

192 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

George M. Marsden is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. He has written extensively on the interaction between Christianity and the American culture and has published numerous books, including Jonathan Edwards: A Life, which won the prestigious Bancroft Prize given for the best work of history. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that this book was not a simple repackaging of Marsden's initial ideas, even as it maintained the core of his initial writing and arguments. At least in its initial guise, I can see where Marsden's ideas would be controversial and even problematic for some. It made this a fascinating thing to read for me in particular, as my entry into the world of Christian universities and scholarship was very, very clearly influenced by the advancements that he makes and wishes more Christian scholars and universities embodied. I'm absolutely a product of the world that he imagined in his initial polemic. And, of course, there's also a lot of this argument that remains valid and interesting and useful, even as I am also a product of a state university that nonetheless supported robust research and engagement with faith, at least in my particular discipline and research area. That being said, I thought Marsden's updated portion for the twenty-first century was both compelling and slightly lackluster, showing a lot of really great thought and attention to detail even as I felt a bit strange about it because at least some of what he argued seemed at odds with my own experience of the secular university system and its willingness to engage and support Christian scholarship. Nonetheless, I see his larger points and respect the larger arguments he's trying to make.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Very thought-provoking. Often encouraging. Academic. Not always correct.

Will probably revisit.