We do not look over a menu of options and choose a religion. It is nearer the truth to say that our religion chooses us. Academic communities differ in deep and important ways, not merely in superficial dimensions such as size and reputation. A community like Calvin College makes claims on its members that few others make, encompassing not only doctrinal affirmation but also a readiness to be accountable to each other for the conduct of every part of life. This makes possible a extraordinary sense of common purpose, and it lays the foundation of a lively conversation about how best to work toward common goals.
Neutral bureaucracy can be far kinder than benevolent paternalism.
We have heard few horror stories at this conference, but they are all too familiar. Time after time, from the beginnings of American higher education to the present, religious communities have sought to turn institutions of higher education into means for indoctrination and inculcation of uncritical conformity. More often than not, the resulting struggles have damaged both the institution and the supporting denomination while failing to achieve the goals of either. We must not neglect the lessons of these cautionary tales, nor can we delude ourselves that shared religious ideals can overcome all differences. Let me briefly invoke, though I cannot here develop, another way in which religious colleges contribute to American higher education.