Toward a Mutually Informing Approach to the Integration of Faith and Learning in Christian Higher Education

Abstract

This article proposes a mutually informing approach to the integration of faith and learning in Christian higher education. The formal practice of integration in Christian higher education involves studying Scripture alongside both the things God has made (as is done in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, etc.), and the creations of those made in God's image (as is done in the visual arts, languages, literature, etc.). Defined by Ash (2015) as the "exploration and understanding of the interrelationship of God’s revelation through the Bible and through the created order,” integration is distinct from discipleship and moves beyond prayer, sharing one's faith commitments with students, or opening a lecture with a scripturally-founded devotional. A mutually informing approach most clearly recognizes the important work faculty are doing in their own disciplines and programs to teach students and others about God.