The Pietist Vision of Christian Higher Education

Pietism has long been ignored in evangelical scholarship. This is especially the case in the field of Christian higher education, which is dominated by thinkers in the Reformed tradition and complicated by the association of Pietism with anti-intellectualism. The irony is that Pietism from the beginning 'was intimately bound up with education,' according to Diarmaid MacCulloch. But until now there has not been a single work dedicated to exploring a distinctively Pietist vision for higher education.In this groundbreaking volume edited by Christopher Gehrz, scholars associated with the Pietist tradition reflect on the Pietist approach to education. Key themes include holistic formation, humility and openmindedness, the love of neighbor, concern for the common good and spiritual maturity. Pietism sees the Christian college as a place that forms whole and holy persons. In a pluralistic and polarized society, such a vision is needed now more than ever.

Christopher Gehrz (PhD, Yale) is professor of history and chair of the history department at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also helps coordinate the Christianity and Western Culture program and contributes to the program's podcast. He is the coeditor of The Pietist Impulse in Christianity.