The new book detailing the history of Grace College and Theological Seminary, Becoming Grace, is now available. Co-edited by Grace professors Jared Burkholder and Mark M. Norris, it celebrates 75 years of higher eduction and is focused on broad academic conversations that explores the developments of the schools in an era of change and in a fresh light. Each chapter was written by a Grace faculty member and first presented as part of a series of forums held on campus during 2012-2013. (The book may be ordered here or by calling 1-800-348-2756.)
Dr. Burkholder writes about the significance of the book at The Pietest Schoolman, where he is a contributing writer. A portion of his article appears below. Click here to reach the complete post.
Why you’ll be interested in our new book about Grace College and Seminary
Even if you don’t have any personal connection with Grace College or Seminary, there are lots of topics that emerge in Becoming Grace that may pique your interest, especially if you’re interested in American religious history or the trajectory of Christian colleges and universities. Here are a few prominent themes and tensions in the book. They flow from the wonderful contributions of my colleagues, Mark Norris, Christy Hill, Juan Carlos Téllez, Jim Swanson, Terry White, Robert Clause, Kim Reiff, Paulette Sauders, Tiberius Rata, and Frank Benyousky. I also include some of my favorite images from the book. (These come courtesy of the Grace Archives and Kim Reiff.)
An eclectic heritage. Christian colleges and universities, it seems, are forever looking for the best ways to balance their religious heritage with the challenges and opportunities of forward movement. Although Grace College and Seminary is associated with a particular group of churches (The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches), there have been a variety of streams and traditions that have come together in its past. The Brethren movement, which has German ethnic roots, combines both Pietism and Anabaptism. It is American evangelicalism, however, that increasingly serves as the unifying cultural context at Grace. Historically, the seminary has been a strong proponent of Premillennial Dispensationalism, but other influences exist as well and this identity is much less pronounced than has been in the past. So what is a college to do with such an eclectic heritage?
Click here to reach the complete post.