Abilene Christian University is celebrating its 100th anniversary. From its beginning as a school emphasizing classical and biblical studies, it has grown into a university that offers varied undergraduate and graduate programs. Lipscomb and Freed-Hardeman passed the century mark in 1991.

At the heart of the Restoration Movement is a commitment to education focused on the Bible and the traditional liberal arts. Alexander Campbell, a key leader in the American Restoration Movement, founded Bethany College in West Virginia. Lipscomb and Freed- Hardeman both developed from schools started in the last quarter of the 19th century. The first quarter of the 20th century saw the beginning of ACU and Harding.

In the late 1930s George Pepperdine devoted his fortune to founding a college. During post-World War II years when churches were growing rapidly and the GI bill made college education a goal for more Christian families, colleges were founded in various places to provide Bible training, career preparation and guidance for Christian living. Those surviving are Cascade, Faulkner, Florida College, Heritage Christian, Lubbock Christian, Ohio Valley, Oklahoma Christian, Southwestern Christian and York College. (Many other Christian institutions for higher education have developed, but I am thinking about those designed for students leaving home and entering the first stage of adult life.)

All these institutions rest on the principle that God is the creator of all and that any education worth having begins with knowing God.

All these schools have taken responsibility for guiding students to mature Christian values, or in the words of Don Morris, longtime ACU president, “Completing the work of the Christian family.”

In the history of American higher education, most of the private colleges began with a foundation in Christian principles and a connection to a denominational group. But few have retained those founding values and connections into a second century. Chapel, required Bible study and close supervision of social life were characteristic of Harvard, Yale, Princeton and many of the most prestigious universities. But time and social pressure radically altered the mission and curriculum of these schools.

Few institutions of higher education are still true to the founding principles or founding organizations after a hundred years. That sobering fact compels every institution related to churches of Christ to examine more closely their work. They must keep Bible study central, make chapel vitally alive and expect students to live by high moral standards.

Having watched trends in Christian education for most of my professional life, I am firmly convinced that no institution can be true to its founding principles if the trustees are not resolute in nurturing the faith of students. Leaders of the trustees must have the vision of transforming lives through example. Whenever academic excellence, national reputation or athletics begin to be the principal concerns of trustees, institutions will gradually slip away from founding principles.

I also believe that an institution's Christian principles are no stronger than the commitment of the faculty. Faculty members who are mere churchgoers will directly or indirectly weaken the institution's faith efforts. Church members who are cynical about core values will erode those values. On the other hand, professors who are firmly convicted about the lordship of Jesus, the Christ, will be models of faith and service for students who are seeking direction and guidance.

For at least 10 years, most of the faculty and administration at our Christian colleges have been engaged in ongoing dialogues about the relationship between faith and learning. Faculty have wrestled with communicating the relationship of their disciplines to a Christian wordview. Professors are not ashamed that they profess Christ as clearly as they profess views of their disciplines. Professors are leaders in their congregations, and they take an active interest in mission efforts around the world.

I believe that Christian higher education is filling a vital role in preparing our best and brightest young women and men for productive lives of faith and service. The culture of Christian colleges helps youth experience genuine transformation.

The continuing challenge of Christian higher education is to nurture faith, service and holiness in students even as they study to work and live in a secular, materialistic world. It is imperative that Christian education not lose the focus on strengthening the relationship of young people to their creator. Pressing for God's vision is the goal of Christian education.

Contact bailey.mcbride@christianchronicle.org