Most Christian college students separate their academic life from church attendance, Bible study, and prayer. Too often discipleship of the mind is overlooked if not ignored altogether. However, authors Donald Opitz and Derek Melleby issue a clarion call to students to integrate their faith and learning in The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness. Colossians 2:3, after all, indicates that in Christ himself are ‘all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’
In eight succinct chapters the authors stress the importance of academic discipleship and taking studies seriously. According to Opitz and Melleby, a Christian worldview–or biblical gestalt–brings unity to the fragmented curriculum of higher education. Each breezy chapter concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions as well as recommendations for further reading.
Written for a narrative generation, this guide extracts illustrations from the Book of Daniel, The Lord of the Rings, the experiences of real students, and more. This book is an excellent gift for college-bound seniors in high school. It’s an essential text for first-year college students, too. Last, The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness will benefit professors, pastors, and parents.
Purchase: CPYU Resource Center - Hearts & Minds Bookstore
Read an excerpt (.pdf)
Download a Leader’s Guide (.pdf)
Download a Textbook Promotion (.pdf)
Endorsements:
“This is the sort of book that should be read by Christian students going to college and studied in campus fellowship groups. It provides clear and accessible guidelines as to how to relate one’s faith to academics. I hope it will be widely used.” — George Marsden, author of The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship
“As you get ready to plunge into college, add this book to your reading list. It will help you navigate the common landminds that can trip up your faith, and it will give you the tools you need to sprint ahead.” — Kara Powell, executive director, Fuller Youth Institute
“The most difficult transition in the life of faith is from high school to college. This book will prove valuable for any student who gives it the time it deserves. Read and listen, I say.” – Scot McKnight, author of The Jesus Creed
“This book addresses numerous timely issues related to the place of academics in the life of the Christian student. Nothing I have seen yet addresses these particular issues with a combination of theological depth and easy accessibility that mark this book.” — Walt Mueller, president, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding; author of Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture
“Deep yet easily accessible, this book reminds us why we study.” — Kelly Monroe Kullberg, author of Finding God Beyond Harvard: The Quest for Veritas
“Probing yet playful, The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness is full of wisdom for those who yearn for their learning to move beyond mere labor to true love.” — Steven Garber, director, The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture; author of The Fabric of Faithfulness
“Few Christian books for college students even mention the central aspect of college life–academics and course work. This one is on that short list of must-reads, essential for grooming Christian faithfulness in the college years.” — Byron K. Borger, Hearts & Minds Bookstore
“An outstanding book about how Christian students can learn to be faithful to their Lord in their studies. Those who read it–students and teachers alike–will reap genuine dividends.” — David Naugle, Dallas Baptist University; author of Worldview: The History of a Concept
“Opitz and Melleby’s wonderfully outrageous little book will tickle, inspire, challenge, and encourage students to gain a real life–not just grades, degrees, and jobs.” — Quentin J. Schultze, Calvin College; author of Here I Am: Now What on Earth Should I Be Doing?
“We need this book! The idea of a Christian worldview has passed into common use, but we seem no closer to living what we supposedly believe. Opitz and Melleby assert–correctly I think–that we won’t ever put legs on a biblical vision for all of life until we begin to learn differently. Other people have asserted the same, but I’ve yet to see anyone else make it so clear how this can be done.” — Daniel Dupee, president, Coalition for Christian Outreach
