Archbishops, Apologists, and Atheists
Here we go. Time to dust off the old blog cobwebs. I can almost hear the gears trying to crank back up in my head writing this post after the summer break!
I have to say I never knew Oxford contained so many colleges within it, 44 to be exact. While reading through Paul Sullivan’s overview of them in The Secrets of Oxford, I couldn’t help noticing during the “famous alumni and fellows” section the range of thought produced by this university. Of course, Christian writers like C.S. Lewis, known for Mere Christianity or The Chronicles of Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of Lord of the Rings series, come to mind, but that only scratches the surface.
(Side note: Theodore Geisel a.k.a “Dr. Seuss” attended Oxford. Had no idea!)
While reading Paul’s book, and doing some research of my own, the range of worldviews that exist and graduated from this university is astounding. Sullivan lists several bishops, theologians, and ministers that studied at Oxford. He also discusses Percy Shelley who was expelled for writing The Necessity of Atheism.[1] In Modern times, three of the “Four Horsemen of the New Atheism” attended this school. Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett have become famous fo
r their arguments and literature opposing the idea of God and religion as superstitious and even dangerous for human society.
Years ago, I watched a debate between two alumni from Oxford. One of them was Richard Dawkins a scientist, one of the “four horsemen”, and Alister McGrath, a renowned Christian theologian, writer, and defender of the faith who attended Merton College that Paul Sullivan describes. Good points were made by both individuals, but what was most striking was the tone, openness, and dynamic of the conversation in comparison with other debates Dawkins has had with some Christians in America. [2] In one debate Dawkins had with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who is from England as well, he claims he has noticed a difference between Christians in Europe and those in America. [3] Is there a difference between Christians in Europe verses Christians in America? If so, what is it?
At the end of last semester, I mentioned coming across a historian named George Marsden who teaches at Duke University. He is most known for his research on American Fundamentalism. One of his articles outlines his theory on why a difference exist between American fundamentalism and English Evangelicalism. It seems that Evangelicals in Europe are less hostile and more open to ideas like evolution that Darwin proposed or higher criticism that examines the Bible critically as ancient literature and views it less literal.
One of Marsden’s theories proposes that Europe had better channels of communication between the academy and the parishes, especially during the Enlightenment period. This allowed information too quickly travel to churches as ideas were being discovered and discussed in higher education. Faith communities were able to gradually process new information alongside universities. This was not the case in America. American universities could discuss, teach, and build on information for years, sometimes a whole generation, before it reached local churches in rural pockets in the United States. This created a large gap between what local churches taught about the world and Scripture and what universities were teaching and discussing.[4]
When American Christians seriously entertained ideas like evolution or discoveries made in higher criticism regarding the Bible, it was shocking which created a violent reaction that helped create American fundamentalism. Some American Christians began taking the Bible more literal than ever before.
If I were to grab my keys, hop in the car, and travel north for about three hours toward Williamstown, Kentucky I could visit the Ark Encounter. This exhibit founded by Ken Ham, a modern-day Christian apologist, has a full-scale model of Noah’s Ark taken from the dimensions given in the flood account in Genesis that cost millions of dollars to build. This exhibit argues why the earth must be around 6,000 years old, displays which dinosaurs occupied Noah’s ark, and warns how secular science is lying to us all, especially our children, regarding the universe and how it works.
Ironically, twenty-five minutes from my house exists universities like Belmont, Vanderbilt, and Trevecca that offer biblical studies courses that offer different outlooks on the Scripture and its connection to creation, history, and science, which includes the famous flood story. Many of these universities and courses challenge what Ken Ham and scores of other Christians in southern America claim regarding the Bible and our universe. This is one of the reasons a private Christian college was recently built behind my house to protect college students from certain ideas and secular education that could undermine their understanding of Christian faith. Is this healthy or necessary?
While reading through Paul Sullivans’, The Secrets of Oxford, it reminded me of just how valuable education, diversity of thought, and openness is to growth and thinking deeper as a person of faith. It also reminded me of what could be at stake when this dynamic is at play in education. There is a tendency for religion to keep the sacred and secular separate due to the risk of exposure. Sullivan describes principals, masters, and student halls forming to protect ministers and clerics from town influences along with all its temptations (partying).[5] Ironically, colleges are now known for their parties!
All this to say that Oxford has a wide range of departments, philosophies, and alumni. The benefit of this range has produced some quality education, depth, excellence, and innovation from its Christian and non-Christian alumni. I know Oxford is not perfect, but it is fascinating to explore the pros and cons of this type of dynamic in education. Does this range of thought run the risk of undermining faith for some Christians? If so, should we keep our students or ourselves sheltered in a bubble? Is exposure a good thing or a bad 
thing? Thinkers like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, N.T. Wright, and Alister McGrath, that many of us admire, emerged from an environment that challenged sacred cows, were exposed to various philosophies, and wrestled with evidence that challenged traditional worldviews, both religious and secular. Looking forward to learning more about this University on site with everyone!
[1] Paul Sullivan, The Secret History Of Oxford (New York: The History Press, 2013), 122.
[2] Richard Dawkins Debates Alister McGrath, YouTube (YouTube, 2012), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLdsRfkkTf4&t=763s.
[3] 1. REThink – Debate with Rabbi Sacks and Richard Dawkins, YouTube (YouTube, 2022), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ad3rVRdgbI&t=3244s.
[4] Marsden, George. “Fundamentalism as an American Phenomenon, A Comparison with English Evangelicalism.” Church History 46, no. 2 (1977): 215–32. https://doi.org/10.2307/3165007.
[5] Paul Sullivan, The Secret History Of Oxford (New York: The History Press, 2013), 23.
About the Author
Adam Harris
I am currently the Associate Pastor at a church called Godwhy in Hendersonville, TN near Nashville. We love questions and love people even more. Our faith community embraces God and education wholeheartedly. I graduated from Oral Roberts University for undergrad and Vanderbilt for my masters. I teach historical critical Biblical studies at my church to help our community through their questions and ultimately deepen their faith. I love research, writing, learning, and teaching. I oversee our staff and leadership development. Before being at Godwhy I worked as a regional sales coach and director for Anytime Fitness. I've been married for over 13 years to my best friend and we have two amazing boys that keep us busy.13 responses to “Archbishops, Apologists, and Atheists”
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Awesome sauce.
I am fascinated by your portion on American v.s. European Evangelism. We could take this farther into the difference in Evangelism in each European Country. Evangelism in Hungary and Slovakia (my turf) is going to be totally different in Ukraine (my new endeavor). But by keeping to our Gospel Roots, the threads of outreach take on hues of color that must please the Lord has He weaves us into the tapestry of human existence.
Oxford might be a “white” thread (as Dr. Clark puts it), but it is a color that highlights the other rainbow of colors (I steal back the rainbow for my own purposes.)
Nice post.
Shalom
Thanks for the response Russell, feels good to be back in the swing of things. I actually really enjoy this part of the process. You said:
“But by keeping to our Gospel Roots, the threads of outreach take on hues of color that must please the Lord has He weaves us into the tapestry of human existence.”
I would love to hear more about this and what this looks like to you. Maybe that’s a conversation for Oxford!
Hi Adam, I am fascinated by this piece of insight, “Marsden’s theories proposes that Europe had better channels of communication between the academy and the parishes, especially during the Enlightenment period. This allowed information too quickly travel to churches as ideas were being discovered and discussed in higher education.” It seems in the west (in some circles) we have kept faith and education so separate and opposing to one another that it is no wonder it feels like a war between ideals rather than a discussion, opportunities for expanding our understanding, a deepening of faith, or at the very least an appreciation for diversity of thought and belief. I really enjoyed reading Bebbington which helped me understand not only my faith journey thus far, but the Christian worldview I stepped into without grasping all the history and theological differences that impacted my early formation. What are your thoughts on how we can integrate learning and faith? Well, as I write that it seems to me that question is underlying your NPO. Maybe a better question is what is currently exciting you about bridging that gap?
Thanks for the response Jenny! What is exciting to me in bridging the gap between higher education and the church is it is better helping us to build Christ centered communities equipped for the 21st century. The world we live in and the generations coming up do not have the sacred cows we do. They ask very honest questions and point out difficult things regarding the Bible, Christianity, ethics, etc. Being in the know and staying open minded has been key to having productive conversations with people who are struggling with certain aspects of the Christian faith.
I made it through your entire blog post, Adam, but barely. I almost didn’t make it past this question towards the beginning of your musings:
Is there a difference between Christians in Europe verses Christians in America? If so, what is it?
Just yesterday my wife and I said goodbye to our son, his wife and their 3 babies (our grandkids) as they embark to be Foursquare missionaries to Graz, Austria. We stood at PDX departures for quite awhile as tears streamed down our faces. A day later I’m still a bit of an emotional mess.
Our kids are excited to follow the call of the Lord, as well as experience a new cultural context. They have been on the staff of two U.S. megachurches in Portland and Los Angeles, and are thrilled to express their faith, share the Gospel, and be a part of Jesus’ church in new and fresh ways.
As sad as I am upon their departure, truly am excited to vicariously glean from their experiences in this new culture. I hazard a guess that they will discover that there is a significant difference between American and European Christians, most notably being levels of courtesy.
Oh wow John, thanks for the response and sharing that. That’s a huge life change for all of you and I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you all. Im sure its bittersweet, on one hand your son and his family are following the call to bring the heart of Christ to that territory and on the other its half way around the world. Praying amazing things for them and that their faith goes deeper than ever before.
Was is difficult to read because of the freshness of your family going to Europe in general or are you worried about what they might encounter while in Europe? This may be a conversation for Oxford. Praying for you all and inspired by your son and his family following their “heroes journey” to a new territory.
I really like the direction your brain went in your thinking about our reading this week. I also was struck by the intentional division of the educated class from the rest of society… the “Town vs Gown” divide.
Another thought that jumped to my head as I read your post and others’ responses was the assertion that Beth Allison Barr makes in The Making of Biblical Womanhood, that women actually had more freedom prior the Reformation because they had a pathway to education through the joining of a convent. I am probably over-simplifying her assertion, but might this be another example of how the religious movements of Europe created a social legacy that might influence European Christian worldviews?
Good post that I want to now go back and re-read!
Thanks for the response Jennifer! This book gave me a chance to process some things out loud and I’m looking forward to learning more about the school while we are there. Coming up soon!
I didn’t know that about women prior to the Reformation, that is really interesting and I wouldn’t mind digging into that a little bit further to see how that dynamic played out. Interesting! Thanks for sharing that book and info.
Adam, reading your blogs is honestly one of the things I have been looking forward to coming back this semester.
I’m intrigued and inspired by your musings about the history of American vs. European Evangelicalism, and American Fundamentalism. Too much to write in a response, but I would love to sit with you in Oxford to unpack it.
Wow, that makes my day Tim. Much appreciated, also would love to talk more about the difference between the two at Oxford as well. Seems like the perfect setting for that subject. lol Thanks for the response.
Adam, once again I see why we are friends! As someone who went to a Christian college, and a seminary and now a seminary for a Doctorate, I am thrilled with the conversation you’ve started in your blog about the benefits of exposure, critical thinking and being challenged by other thoughts. My whole life has felt like a sloughing off of things learned. It leaves one feeling raw and exposed (which is not “safe” as you wrote in response to my blog). However, it’s also exciting to step through new thresholds! Thefirst book that challenged my way of thinking was novel The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver. It was fiction, but got me thinking out of the box. I am grateful for exposure to new thoughts and ways and look forward to the books we read this semester, because I think they will be fascinating. Looking forward to a few weeks!
Good to know you understand! I have to say I honestly love learning new things that make me think or even rock my current paradigm. Looks like you do as well! I was listening to an interview today and one of the researchers was discussing the value of the scientific method. He said you get points for good theories, but you also get points when you disprove your own theories. Truth, or at least the most accurate, up to date information, is always the objective not tradition or public opinion. I like that approach.
Looking forward to catching up as well!
Wow! I didn’t know that about fundamentalism. That totally makes sense though. I have found that conversations with those who hold different philosophies or practices other religions are fascinating and serve to open me up to greater Mystery and Wonder.