Twelve Great Books That Changed the University: And Why Christians Should Care

Twelve scholars take us on a journey through twelve books that have defined the methodologies and orthodoxies of key disciplines within the university curriculum. These books have not only been formative for their respective disciplines but have reshaped the university and continue to reframe our understanding of education. Each chapter places a Great Book in its historical context summarizes the key ideas and assesses the influence of the text on its discipline and society as a whole. In addition each contributor offers an evaluation from a Christian perspective explaining both the benefits of the book and the challenges it presents to a Christian worldview and philosophy of education. Wilkens and Thorsen are to be commended for mobilizing their colleagues at Azusa Pacific University to put together a marvelous introduction to a few great books of the Western canon especially for undergraduate students. Faculty who teach the liberal arts in Christian colleges and universities will find this a fair critical and helpful point of entry for those approaching these important original sources for the first time. --Amos Yong Regent University School of Divinity Virginia Beach VA Their clarity and passion for what it means to be a Christian in the world of ideas sciences literatures economics and politics is inspiring. --Kurt Anders Richardson McMaster University Ontario Canada Twelve Books not only makes a strong case for the enduring importance of engagement with the classic texts it addresses but even more importantly provides an effective resource for those seeking to recover the vital unifying role of the liberal arts for Christian higher education. In this sense it makes a great companion to Mark Nolls Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind and Alasdair MacIntyres God Philosophy Universities. --Mark H. Mann Wesleyan Center Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego CA Steve Wilkens PhD is Professor of Philosophy and Ethics and Faith Integration Fellow for Faculty Development at Azusa Pacific University. He has authored and edited several books including Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural Stories that Shape Our Lives and Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics. Don Thorsen PhD is Professor of Theology and Chair of Graduate Theology and Ethics at Azusa Pacific University. He is author of more than ten books including The Wesleyan Quadrilateral An Exploration of Christian Theology Everything You Know about Evangelicals Is Wrong and Calvin vs. Wesley: Bringing Belief in Line with Practice.