The Importance of a Liberal Arts Education to the Christian Church

The Greeks called it enkyklios paideia, a “well-rounded education,” from which the word encylopedia is derived. The Romans renamed it artes liberales, the “liberal arts,” referring to the academic subjects to be studied by freemen, as compared to the manual labor skills learned by slaves. But it was not only pagan Greeks and Romans who established the liberal arts tradition. In fact, during the Middle Ages Christian theology was known as the “queen” of all the sciences taught at the university.
During the Reformation, the Lutheran faculty at the University of Wittenberg championed the liberal arts in service to the Christian faith. This tradition continues today at Bethany Lutheran College. A liberal arts approach to education has several characteristics that readily submit to a Christian worldview.
First, a liberal arts education returns students to the sources. A college history class, for example, does not center on a modern textbook, but on the writings of influential people who lived long ago—primary source documents like the Magna Carta or the Gettysburg Address. Just as theology properly returns to Holy Scripture as the source of all doctrine, so also other disciplines must continually revisit their roots.
Second, a liberal arts education seeks to understand the connections among different disciplines. Philosophy does not stand alone, but partakes of a common conversation with the study of literature and history. All three subjects embark on a journey to discover the triumphs and tragedies of the human condition.
Third, a liberal arts education cultivates a student’s character for service in God-given vocations. A well-rounded education does not seek simply to develop skills, but also to shape attitudes and to evaluate aspirations. Biology students at a liberal arts college learn more than the nuts-and-bolts of biochemistry; they also ponder the ethical responsibilities that come with such knowledge.
A liberal arts education does not churn out graduates with maximum efficiency, but instead pauses to allow time for reflection and conversation. For example, psychology students at a liberal arts college do not simply check off requirements toward a career in counseling, but more fundamentally consider the assumptions that underlie various psychological theories.
Of course, a liberal arts approach does not by itself guarantee good results. Rather, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Does a psychological theory deny the doctrine of original sin? Then such a theory lacks wisdom. Does a biological theory deny God’s work of creation? Then such a theory is foolish (see Psalms 14 and 19). Does one’s view of history celebrate human achievement as a progressive liberation from the religious beliefs of the past? Then such an interpretation lacks the proper discernment to know which beliefs of the past were true and which were false.
In brief, a liberal arts education furnishes the mind with useful tools, but those same tools also can be abused. That is why medieval Christians wanted theology to be recognized as the queen of the sciences. Even today, the motto at Bethany Lutheran College remains “One Thing Needful” in reference to Christ’s instruction to Mary and Martha that attention to God’s Word must take priority over all earthly affairs (Luke 10:38–42).
When pursued in service to the Christian faith, a liberal arts education has great value. Students not only acquire skills that are needed in the workforce, but also develop talents and aspirations for service in their homes and in their congregations. An English major may find her highest fulfillment reading bedtime stories with her children. A music minor may one day direct the choir at his congregation. A business major may serve as chairman of the church finance committee. Often God prepares students for futures that they cannot predict. By laying a broad foundation, a liberal arts education seeks to equip people for any vocation to which God may someday call them.
Dr. Ryan C. MacPherson, a member of Mt. Olive, Mankato, Minnesota, teaches at Bethany Lutheran College and is editor of Telling the Next Generation: The Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s Vision for Christian Education, 1918-2011 and Beyond (2011).