The Christian Scholars Forum is an interdisciplinary group, open to Baylor graduate students and young faculty in all programs and subject areas, which aims to foster discussion about Christian scholarship and help new academics think through the implications of teaching and researching as Christians. We host biweekly, informal meetings throughout the semester in which we discuss books and articles on these topics by fellow Christian scholars. (The exact day and time of meetings is determined at the beginning of each semester by polling interested students.) There is no cost to participate beyond the cost of books (we have sometimes been able to provide books as well, although this is not guaranteed), no application or selection process, and no commitment to attend a certain number of meetings. All you need to do is show up ready for a conversation!
- Co-Directors: Anna Judd (PhD Candidate in Philosophy) and Ariadne Lewis (PhD Student in English)
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Perry L. Glanzer (Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)
FALL 2025 EVENTS
This semester we will hold twice-monthly lunch meetings to discuss the first half of The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman (the section titled “University Teaching,” consisting of the first nine discourses). We will be meeting on Fridays at 12pm in Penland Dining Hall.
Books are not provided this semester, but the Baylor library has several hard copies as well as online access, and copies can be obtained cheaply on Amazon and other online retailers.
- September 12: Discourse I, “Introductory,” and Discourse II, “Theology a Branch of Knowledge”
- September 26: Discourse III, “Bearing of Theology on Other Branches of Knowledge,” and Discourse IV, “Bearing of Other Branches of Knowledge on Theology”
- October 10: Discourse V, “Knowledge its Own End”
- October 24: Discourse VI, “Knowledge Viewed in Relation to Learning,” and Discourse VII, “Knowledge Viewed in Relation to Professional Skill”
- November 7: Discourse VIII, “Knowledge Viewed in Relation to Religion”
- November 21: Discourse IX, “Duties of the Church Towards Knowledge”
Have questions or want to be added to CSF’s mailing list? Please contact Anna (anna_judd1@baylor.edu) or Ariadne (ariadne_lewis2@baylor.edu)
PARTNERS AND RESOURCES
- Ratio Christi Professor Ministry: Sponsors the Baylor chapter of CSF as well as similar chapters at a number of other schools. Check out their Resources page for videos and book recommendations!
- Institute for Faith and Learning: A fantastic Baylor organization which sponsors our chapter of CSF. Offers lots of resources, programs, and events related to faith and learning, including the annual Baylor Symposium on Faith and Culture.
PAST EVENTS
- Spring 2025: Discussed The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship by George Marsden
- Fall 2024: Discussed articles from Comment Magazine Spring 2018, Is the University Worth Saving?
- Spring 2024: Discussed The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis and Leisure: the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper
- Fall 2023: Discussed On Christian Teaching by David Smith
- Spring 2023: Discussed The Two Tasks of the Christian Scholar edited by William Lane Craig and Paul Gould
“Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire (The Nave)” by JackPeasePhotography is licensed under CC BY 2.0.