Institutionalized, Part 2
Give me a minute to explain.
Last week I spoke about institutionalized thinking. I said our biggest problems are often not a single law or regulation, but rather the institutionalized mindset that prevents sensible changes from occurring.
Since I’m a professor, “institutional mindset” is a concern when it comes to curricula. Administrative responsibilities protect the borders of finance and organization. Professorial responsibilities produce from the freedom within those borders to cultivate and grow ideas within us and our students.
W. H. Auden warned against what Neil Postman called a “technocrat’s ideal” when he wrote,
“And when he occupies a college / Truth is replaced by Useful Knowledge; / He pays particular Attention to Commercial Thought, / Public Relations, Hygiene, Sport, / In his curricula.”
In Christian education we must establish what is important not on an institutional mindset, but a Biblical mindset.
Thanks for spending this minute with me, Dr. Mark Eckel.
Mark Eckel (MA English, ThM Old Testament, PhD Social Science Research) is Executive Director of the Center for Biblical Integration, Liberty University.
“Give Me a Minute” is an ongoing effort to simply, clearly, and quickly explain aspects of true Truth.
Gratitude, as always, to my longtime friend, videographer, and tech guru Josh for his continued service.