Over at the main ESN website, we’ve recently published a couple of book reviews that you might be interested in.
Foundations of Christian Parenting
My co-blogger Tom Grosh has reviewed Wise Stewards: Philosophical Foundations of Christian Parenting by Michael W. Austin, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University. Among the many differences between the undergraduate and grad school/faculty worlds is the change in life stages, including marriage and children. If you’re interested in integrating your faith with your parenting philosophy, you might want to check out Michael’s book. Here’s a brief quote:
Stewards do not own what they care for; rather they are entrusted with caring for something that does not belong to them. Christian parents care for children on behalf of the children, placing the children’s interests above their own. (24)
Tom Grosh’s full review provides a couple of more quotes and some reflections on parenting from other Christian academics.
Religious Bias in Academia
The question of whether there is bias against Christians in academia is difficult to discuss. Not only is it a controversial and deeply personal topic; not only do some persons on both sides of the debate feel intense persecution for their beliefs and lifestyle; but it can be difficult to find solid research on the issue. Fortunately, a number of sociologists have begun investigating the question of the religious beliefs of academics. One of the latest is George Yancey, Professor of Sociology at the University of North Texas.
My InterVarsity Faculty Ministry colleague Tom Trevethan has reviewed George’s new book, Compromising Scholarship: Religious and Political Bias in American Higher Education, which examines both qualitative and quantitative evidence of bias against religious and political conservatives among academic sociologists. A brief excerpt:
The reality is that we do have a problem with social bias in academia. It is warranted to argue about the extent to which this bias exists, but this research provides evidence of it existence. To ignore this evidence is to put one’s head in the sand and pretend that the problem does not exist. We can no longer hide behind the argument social bias is merely the unfounded charge of conservative religious and political opportunists. With this research, there is now empirical evidence documenting this bias. (137)
Tom Trevethan’s thorough review provides a fuller discussion of George’s findings, as well as a Biblical reflection on how Christians should respond to bias or even overt discrimination. I actually first learned of this book through a comment that George left here on the blog, so I’m very pleased that we’ve come full circle and been able to review it.
Just like the ESN blog, our website allows comments on articles, so I hope you’ll join the conversation about these important topics and valuable new books.
The former Associate Director for the Emerging Scholars Network, Micheal lives in Cincinnati with his wife and three children and works as a web manager for a national storage and organization company. He writes about work, vocation, and finding meaning in what you do at No Small Actors.
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