Because I work at a Christian liberal arts university, I am occasionally asked, What is a Christian Liberal Arts Education?
A Christian liberal arts education exclusively focuses on the development of the student in a safe environment which enhances student development in three ways:
1. Enhances the faith of students.
A Christian liberal arts education provides a framework – a Biblical worldview – to which the student can compare all knowledge acquired in the future. Students learn to recognize and manage personal strengths and weaknesses to allow them develop into a better person, friend, employee, or leader. This new knowledge guides the student to purposeful action – to serve God.
2. Allows students to learn creatively.
Knowledge of many academic disciplines engenders a broad paradigm that constructs new ideas and improves understanding. By training students to more effectively organize concepts, a liberal arts education allows students to understand new information more easily, quickly, and comprehensively.
3. Teaches students to engage in critical thought.
As students experience multifarious opportunities and consider diverse philosophies, a liberal arts education provides an intellectual map for an otherwise chaotic existence.
I love my work a with educators and students and approach it passionately because I believe that every student in the world should have the opportunity to receive a college education from a profoundly Biblical worldview.
Question: What did you appreciate most about your education experience? Share in the comments.
David Wells says
Just came across the blog and wanted to add a link to a TED talk on Liberal Arts Education. Consider what it would be like to have students studying through a Biblical worldview the education which Dr. Coleman is advocating here: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/liz_coleman_s_call_to_reinvent_liberal_arts_education.html
Consider this as well: the CS Lewis foundation is attempting to begin a “Great Books University” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAjstIu2N6g
Michael Nichols says
Great stuff. Thanks for sharing David.
Michael Nichols says
Thanks David – love the bonus! 😉