Christian Faith and Liberal Learning Discussed at Freshman Foundation Lecture
Hillsdale College Academic Dean Addresses Christian Faith in Relation to a Liberal Arts Education at Third Freshman Foundation Lecture Series Luncheon
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College hosted its third Freshman Foundation Lecture and luncheon at the Searle Center on Nov. 16. Matthew Young, dean of natural sciences and professor of chemistry, offered a lecture to the freshman class on Christianity. Faith being one of the four pillars of a Hillsdale College education, Young discussed how Christianity relates to intelligent piety and the pursuit of a liberal education.
“Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives,” said Young. “Christianity is a thinking religion. It demands thinking and learning, seeking wisdom and justice. Similarly, a liberal education seeks the good way. Our faith permeates all that we do and all that we learn.”
Young turned his attention to the sciences and discussed three regularly held theses about the relationship between science and religion. Rather than being fundamentally in conflict or entirely independent, Young encouraged a positive dialogue between science and religion that values the connection between academic disciplines.
“Both science and Christianity help us to — and it’s not in an easy way — to understand the rich, multifaceted, surprising way that things actually are,” said Young. “This is the exciting project of the liberal arts.”
Young encouraged students to aim for an appreciation of all of the disciplines they encounter in the College’s core curriculum, to respect the ways each discipline is uniquely suited to answer some questions and not others, and to consider how each contributes to the total picture of reality. He asked students to undertake the task with intellectual humility and with love, the greatest theological virtue.
“Look carefully for these four pillars and the ways in which these courses relate to the larger idea of liberal learning, the ways in which they connect to the Christian faith, character, and freedom,” said Young. “Allow the major themes in your core courses to deeply affect you. Cultivate a love of learning, of God, and of your fellow man. And as you embrace this significant challenge, keep in mind the Hillsdale College motto — ‘Strength Rejoices in the Challenge’ — which encourages us to pursue our studies with boldness and energy and enthusiasm.”
View photos from the lecture as well as a headshot of Young here.
About the Freshman Foundation Lecture Series
Hillsdale College launched the Freshman Foundation Lecture Series in the fall of 2021. The series addresses the four purposes, or pillars, of learning, character, faith, and freedom of Hillsdale College in student life. The series includes four lectures by Hillsdale College faculty deans over the course of the academic year. All lectures take place in the College’s Searle Center and include a complimentary lunch for all freshman students.