Religious studies

One book analyzes political correctness, another displays it, and others move beyond it | Marvin Olasky

Two books of essays illuminate current problems of higher education. The Politically Correct University (AEI, 2009) shows academic hostility to conservatives and demands for liberal conformity. Essayists call for greater transparency but recognize that trustees need to risk cozy relationships and take action. The anti-Christian bias of The Believing Primate: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Reflections on the Origin of Religion (Oxford University Press, 2009) inadvertently shows why thoughtful students should avoid university religious studies departments.

A good religious studies department would put on its reading list Evidence for God, edited by William Dembski and Michael Licona (Baker, 2010). The book includes 50 succinct essays that examine key questions concerning philosophy (including reasons for suffering), science, Jesus, and the Bible. Dembski's essay on "The Vise Strategy" has terrific questions designed to push methodological materialists to drop their unscientific prejudices and give God a chance.