The Professor's Puzzle: Teaching in Christian Academics

by Michael S. Lawson

The Professor’s Puzzle is designed as a handbook for new and aspiring professors to help them transition from the independent research of their doctoral program to classroom teaching. Unfortunately, acquiring a Ph.D. often does not involve real preparation for teaching. One cannot assume that mastering content necessarily means one is qualified to teach it.
 
Drawing from years of experience training young faculty members , professor Michael S. Lawson gathers together the best of educational research and practices, leavened with the yeast of Christian theology, so that readers are equipped to put the “teaching puzzle” together. Ideal for aspiring professors in Christian higher education, as well as all who enter the teaching profession, so they may learn artful teaching and careful administration.
 The following translations are available from the publisher: Chinese, German, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[John Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael S. Lawson is the Senior Professor of Educational Ministries and Leadership, as well as coordinator of the Doctor of Educational Ministries degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. Lawson holds a BBA from the University of North Texas, ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and PhD from Oklahoma University. He is the author and contributor to a number of books devoted to Christian education, including, The Christian Educator’s Handbook on Children’s Ministry (Baker, 1998), The Christian Educator’s Handbook on Teaching (Baker, 2000), and the Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education (Baker Academic, 2001). Lawson has also written numerous articles in Christian Educators of the 20th Century, Christian Education Journal, and Christian Education Today. Most recently, in The Professor’s Puzzle, Lawson has brought together several decades of his experience and practice within the realm of Christian higher education, and has yielded a handbook that is accessible and trustworthy for the new and aspiring educator.

The Professor’s Puzzle appropriately recognizes the initial shock that tends to accompany the transition from PhD student to “professorhood.” Lawson helpfully bridges this gap with expert precision and provides the reader with a “need-to-know” guide for the new and forthcoming adventures. Lawson begins by placing the foundation for a philosophy of Christian academic education, and quickly transitions into the necessary task of integrating the Christian worldview into ever corner of learning. These two opening chapters really function to lay the groundwork for the entire book. Next the reader is accompanied through the land of learning theories where Lawson helpfully selects and expands upon his “top ten” learning theories. I found Lawson’s list to be insightful and accurately placed. The remainder of the book focuses on planning and executing a course syllabus, mastering content, the classroom experience, evaluation, instruction within the classroom, and relational skills necessary to provide a learning environment where students flourish. The final chapter of the book is devoted to exposing the reader to the underlying realities of the institution. It clearly and concisely brings the reader behind the scenes of their new and/or aspired calling of “professorhood.”

As a current educator within the local church and an aspiring professor within the walls of the seminary, I greatly appreciate the wisdom discovered in The Professor’s Puzzle. Lawson is clear and articulate in his explanation and expectation of the reader. He knows his targeted audience well and this reality saturates every page. I am also extremely grateful for the candor Lawson brings to the discussion as he addresses difficult and pressing issues within the future/present situation of the reader. It would be difficult for me within the space provided to highlight all that I found valuable within The Professor’s Puzzle, but two things must be mentioned for the sake of this review. First, the opening chapter “A Philosophy for Christian Academic Education” is likely the most comprehensive and concise articulation of the necessity of Christian higher education I have ever read. If you could only read one chapter, please, read this one. Second, while mastery of all the chapters would be recommended with time, I was particularly challenged within my current role as a Director of Adult Education to focus upon and master my relating skills (ch. 9). The guidance given to the reader in this section is truly seasoned with salt and will beneficial to all Christian educators.

The Professor’s Puzzle is the closest most will get to having a seasoned expert guide them through the difficult waters of all things “professorhood.” Lawson provides the reader with a lifetime of experience teaching within the arena of Christian academic circles. If you are a new and/or aspiring professor like myself, this book is an indispensable tool that will be referenced often. Still, I wouldn’t limit the usefulness of this book to the aspiring academics alone. If you are a Christian educator of any kind this book will prove itself beneficial over and over again. I couldn’t recommend it more.

[J. J.]

Valuable tools for the soon-to-be professor. Alternately, a bracing challenge to renew the pursuit of excellence for the professor who has gone too long without revising their syllabuses.