Christian students at public universities face unique challenges, as well as unique opportunities. Whether a student thrives in this environment depends on many factors, including how they engage this “marketplace of ideas.” Knowing how best to respond when one’s worldview is challenged is an important skill to develop. Dr. Craft is most interested in is preparing students to engage in this “marketplace of ideas”–both inside and outside the classroom–on issues such as social justice, diversity and inclusion training, and LGBTQ+ questions.
Dr. Christy Moran Craft is a professor and interim department chair in the College of Education at Kansas State University. For almost twenty years, she has studied issues related to religion and spirituality in higher education, paying particular attention to Christianity in public colleges and universities. She also has expertise with regard to legal issues related to religious expression in public higher education. In addition to teaching and to conducting research, Dr. Craft has served on various committees on campus including serving as Chair of the President’s Committee on Religious, Spiritual, and Nonreligious Diversity.
She fell in love with higher education as a result of her experiences as a student leader in a campus organization and as a resident assistant at Bradley University. Her teaching brings practice-based knowledge of residence life, judicial affairs, student organizations, leadership development, Greek life, and health awareness programming into the classroom.
In this podcast we discuss…
The importance of the Christian perspective being present in the “marketplace of ideas”–the university
The legality of students discussing Christian conviction in public universities, supported by Supreme Court decisions
How students can prepare to have a voice in the marketplace of ideas and be effective in doing so
The value of understanding other perspectives, rather than be fearful
How to balance involvement in a Christian group and ministry on campus with studies
The relationship between being a good student and having an influence for Christ
When it is and is not OK to bring Christian conviction into classroom discussions
Why Christians should not be quick to assume they are being persecuted at a secular university
Challenges Christian students will face outside the classroom, with administrative staff
How best to respond to religious diversity on campus
Responding to charges of “Christian Privilege” on campus
Fruitfully engaging in conversations about race, gender, and sexual identity on campus
How non-Christian professors tend to respond to Christian students
How to find a Christian fellowship on campus
Dealing with antagonistic professors on campus
Where to go to get help on campus
Thoughts about participation in “interfaith” events on campus
Applying Scripture to one’s life as a student
Resources Mentioned:
Christian campus ministries – https://collegefaith.net/resources/
J.P. Moreland’s website – http://www.jpmoreland.com/
Ravi Zacharias resources – https://www.rzim.org/
Tim Keller’s website – https://timothykeller.com/
https://www.listennotes.com/e/444bda41c7eb48fa887600592eefdcdc/