It was theology. He failed to note that in 1830, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, as well as fledgling Catholic schools like Georgetown and Spring Hill had the same principle. But theology as a discipline and God as an ultimate purpose were, Hutchins believed, unavailable to the modern college or university. Theology is banned by law from some universities. It might as well be from the rest.
Theology is based on revealed truth and on articles of faith.
We are a faithless generation and take no stock in revelation. To look to theology to unify the modern university is futile and vain. Odd arguments from one who believed that truth cannot be impugned historically, insisting, as Hutchins did, that Thomas Aquinas ought not be read because he was medieval. Odd also from the pen of one who had defended the great books, unless one is willing to claim that the Bible is not a great book. But there were many reasons for this position.