tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post3056150588072801482..comments2023-08-07T09:46:21.309-04:00Comments on Rattigan Writes: Trinity Western & academic freedomDavid L Rattiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524484021153263418noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-36671757025791425522010-02-02T19:03:35.345-05:002010-02-02T19:03:35.345-05:00OK, I need to proof read comments before posting. ...OK, I need to proof read comments before posting. I am in fact abivalent about free speech arguments, not free church ones. My relationship to free church arguments is a lot more complicated, but that's a different matter entirely :-)Richardhttp://www.subrationedei.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-24319612331280293262010-02-02T18:31:53.863-05:002010-02-02T18:31:53.863-05:00"The idea that theology is the task of the Ch..."The idea that theology is the task of the Church and not one of unbridled freedom is hardly unique." I agree it's not unique; in fact, it's fairly commonplace. I don't like it much more, though. But the more pertinent issue, as you identified (and as I suggested above) is whether Christian theologians want to have their cake and eat it - be accepted as scholars by secular academic standards <i>and</i> make theology the exclusive domain of believers, and subject to dogma rather than academic freedom.<br /><br />Having said that, over the last few days I have discussed this a lot with various folk, including a member of TWU faculty, and it is a more complex issue than I first thought. I am sympathetic in many ways to TWU, but there are also some aspects I really can't get around. I think I'll be reading about this and mulling over the issues for a while yet.Dave Rattiganhttp://www.rattiganwrites.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-46963369173796447082010-02-02T16:50:04.356-05:002010-02-02T16:50:04.356-05:00I am somewhat ambivalent about the free church arg...I am somewhat ambivalent about the free church arguments. I recognise the hurt and maliciousness this can cause in people's lives (cf. the Peter Enns case last year wherer jobs have been lost) if you don't agree to the code, don't sign (your reference to Wheaton where the expected standard ostensibly changed is different). <br /><br />I certainly don't agree with the Uni (surprise, surprise!) but the idea that theology is a task of the church and not one of unbridled freedom is hardly unique - it was for example a key part of barth's theological engagement of the church AND academy. As such, it seems permissable that there is a degree boundary setting - the Church does (and should) have the concept of heresy. <br /><br />Put simply - If Christianity is the recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and a life of discipleship and theology a ministry to the Church then I am not sure 'academic freedom' is the paramount right that is ascribed to it by the wider secular approach. <br /><br />Of course, none of this is to defend TWU (I hope you know me well enough to know I'd have been excommunicated ages ago!). There is a related issue of academic respectability and, quite rightly, an establishment that acts in such manner and faculty associated have IMO a presumption of non-respectability - there is a cost to be paid and the lack of de facto scholarly reputation is the cost. <br /><br />Make any sense?Richardhttp://www.subrationedei.comnoreply@blogger.com