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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (October 7, 2002) — A new book about higher education contains an essay by Dr. Patricia P. Magness, professor of humanities and English at Milligan College.
Magness’s contribution appears in College Faith: 150 Christian Leaders and Educators Share Faith Stories from their Student Days, released in July by Andrews University Press. The book contains short personal testimonies and essays about faith lessons the writers learned while they themselves were students in higher education.
Magness’s essay, “Lord, I Believe,” describes how her struggle with tough issues as a teenager was resolved in college by professors who taught her that it was o.k. to ask difficult questions.
“I learned that Christianity is not a delicate blossom that needs to be protected from harsh reality. Instead of being easily crushed, faith can grow stronger through questioning and debating, even through doubting,” writes Magness, a 1969 Milligan College graduate. “I also took great comfort in being surrounded by capable, even brilliant, teachers who were believers.”
Magness, who holds an M.A. from Vanderbilt University and a Ph.D. in literary theory and women’s studies from Emory University, said that she now tries to serve as a consistent example of faith and Christian commitment to her students, while being open to their questions and doubts and challenging their thinking in many areas of life.
“We published this book because we believe administrators, teachers, staff, and students will be inspired by the simple faith stories people have to tell,” said Ronald Knott, director of Andrews University Press. “Higher education is the time when many people make formative faith decisions for good or ill. We think people ought to read simple but powerful stories like those told by Dr. Magness.”
Besides Magness, other writers for the book include the presidents of more than 60 Christian colleges, universities, theological seminaries and Christian ministries. Among them are Bill Bright, founder and president of Campus Crusade for Christ; Alec Hill, president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; J. P. Moreland, professor of philosophy at Biola University; Mark A. Noll, professor of Christian Thought at Wheaton College; the presidents of Baylor University, Pepperdine University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Trinity International University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and many others.
Also featured in College Faith is Dr. Gary Weedman, provost at Palm Beach Atlantic College and former academic dean at Milligan College.
“College Faith is a book of encouragement for students everywhere, as well as for those who teach them, and for all those who love and pray for them,” said Timothy George, executive editor of Christianity Today and dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University.
College Faith is available in Christian bookstores and online at www.andrewsuniversitypress.com.
Milligan is a private Christian liberal arts college in Northeast Tennessee whose vision is to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to servant leadership. For more information, visit www.milligan.edu or call 800-262-8337.