Taking Religion to School Christian Theology and Secular Education Book

Stephen Webb is a professor of Philosophy and Religion at Wabash College, and a frequent contributor to First Things and several other magazines dedicated to exploring issues of religion and public life. He is a rather controversial figure in and outside of the classroom, and a big part of it is based on his fiery eloquence in espousing values and ideas that have come out of fashion in modern largely liberal academic setting. This, however, has made him into one of the most popular teachers, and students who take his classes are guaranteed to be treated to memorable in-class interactions.

As a theologian and a teacher of religion, Webb is particularly well suited to explore issues and controversies that surround the issue of bringing religion to the educational setting. In this book he forcefully argues that teaching religion in diverse educational environment needs not come at the expense of leaving all personal religious convictions at the door. It is quite obvious that most students who are interested in taking religion classes in college do this out their own experience with religion in their lives, and want to deepen and wider their religious education. It has become somewhat of a mantra that an all-inclusive classroom needs to be opposed to individual expressions of religious convictions, lest those who share those convictions don't get "offended." This has a chilling effect on free expression of ideas on the part of students, and this is in part what Webb opposes in this book.

The book is replete with anecdotes and case studies based on Wabash College, and hence will be of special interest to those who are familiar with this institution - current and former students and their families. However, many of the examples are of relevance to the broader audience, and in particular to everyone who is interested in how religion should be taught in the institutions of higher education.