What is the appropriate role of the Christian university? Should it exist to support the policy and theology of its affiliated church, or should its role be to inform and extend the policy and theology of the church? It seems this depends on who you ask . . .
Historically the role of the university has been to question, and to question deeply, all facets of the physical world and the human condition. Historically, in the USA, the university grew out of the church, from a longing to study and understand the handiwork of the Creator.
The church is losing its young people in droves. There are many cultural, social, and generational reasons for this, but one such reason is the requirement placed upon the young to accept the faith and theology of the forefathers, without question.
A church that can only survive in the absence of question and examination, a church that shuns scrutiny of its beliefs, is a weak, puny faith, indeed. Unfortunately, there are many that see the role of the Christian university as the gatekeepers of the faith against heresy, progressive thought, and change; an institution of apologetics for the church.
For the Christian church to survive and be relevant, it MUST be okay to ask any and all questions. What better place is there to do this than in the environs of the university? For the Christian church to capture the passions and intellects of its young people, it MUST be okay to examine deeply and go beyond established dogma.
Honest, thoughtful questioning should be welcomed instead of discouraged. If it is not okay to question and discuss within the church, or at the Christian university, then the church will continue to lose the brightest and best.