By KT Reporter
Dr Philip Ryken, President of Wheaton College in Illinois, USA, delivered a stirring public lecture at Nkoyoyo Hall, Uganda Christian University (UCU), emphasizing the enduring value of Christian higher education in shaping both intellect and character. Speaking under the theme “A Home of Faith and Learning,” Dr Ryken traced the historical journey of Christian scholarship from ancient Alexandria to modern-day Uganda.
He reminded the audience that Christian higher education is deeply rooted in history, emerging as early as the Roman Empire in cities such as Antioch and Alexandria, where early believers sought to bring the wisdom of ancient Greece under the lordship of Jesus Christ. “Africa was, and still is, fertile ground for the best that Christian education can offer,” he noted.
Dr Ryken contrasted secular motivations for education with the Christian vision. While the Greeks pursued education for democracy and the Romans for empire-building, Christians, he said, have always pursued learning to prepare servants for the kingdom of God—a purpose that gives Christian education its distinct identity.
He highlighted historical figures who championed Christian learning through adversity, including Cassiodorus, a sixth-century Roman senator who founded the Vivarium monastery; John Milton; John Amos Comninus; Sister Juana Inés de la Cruz; and C.S. Lewis. Their stories, he said, demonstrate that Christian education has not only endured through crises but often flourishes in the face of them.
Addressing contemporary challenges such as the global pandemic, economic strain, cultural tension, and the rise of artificial intelligence, Dr Ryken urged Christian institutions to view these as opportunities rather than obstacles. “Christian higher education is always an expression of hope—hope that students can learn, that what they learn will make a difference, and that beyond earning a living, they will live with meaning,” he said.
He defined the integration of faith and learning as “thinking Christianly about all of life,” where theology informs engagement with the arts, sciences, and humanities. He cited Wheaton College’s model, where new faculty attend faith-learning integration seminars, and tenure is tied to scholarly work reflecting this commitment. Dr Ryken also commended faith-based institutions in Australia, Kenya, Indonesia, and Uganda that are advancing similar efforts.
In response to the lecture, Rt Rev Prof Alfred Olwa, Bishop of the Diocese of Lango and Chairperson of the UCU Council, echoed the call for universities to become homes of faith and learning. “Such a home is a place where truth and purpose walk hand in hand, where character is built alongside competence, and where learning is guided by purpose, not just ambition,” he said.
Bishop Olwa referenced UCU’s guiding theme—“A Complete Education for a Complete Person”—emphasizing that Christian universities should cultivate not only knowledge but also wisdom, tolerance, and shared values such as humility, compassion, and integrity. He urged scholars to move beyond personal ambition toward the common good, drawing inspiration from Christian thinkers like Augustine, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, and Festo Kivengere, whose deep faith enriched their academic and cultural work.
“Let us reimagine our universities,” he concluded, “not merely as places for lectures and exams, but as living communities where faith and learning are woven into every aspect of campus life.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
