Challenges and Perceptions of Multiculturalism in Christian Higher Education

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Multiculturalism is a relatively new has been defined many different ways and from various perspectives both socially and academically (Heckman, 1993), and as in many cases, when definitions are not established, confusion results. Because of this, within western Christianity and Christian higher education, it is often linked to “postmodernism” and moral relativism and seen as one of the principle threats facing the church today. Christerson, Edwards & Emerson (2005), discuss the results of their case study of multiculturalism and diversity within Emmanuel Bible College and the obstacle to racial dialogue due to “the idea that promoting diversity and emphasizing ethnic differences is part of a wider multicultural movement that is relativistic …show more content…

Systems and structures are analyzed in order to make the necessary changes as an endeavor of social engineering and to challenge the “cultural hegemony of the dominant ethnic group” (Turner, 1994, p. 407). Werbner (1997) cautions that there can exist a certain naivety regarding this ideology as “there are many multiculturalisms as there are political arenas for collective action ...Multiculturalism is always a specific negotiated order and no amount of abstract philosophical or legal reasoning can prescribe a single ‘just’ model” (1997, 263). Typically within this process there is a creation of conflict as there will be those who subscribe to the changes and those who are against them. Thus under this ideology, multiculturalism is widely accepted by both sides as being politically leftist and progressive, as well as anti-nationalist by those opposed to a multiculturalist ideal (Nye, 2007). It should also be noted that it is an ideology intrinsic to the natural order of things (Devine, 1994. pp. 16-17) and with a moral imperative (Goldberg, 1994. pp. …show more content…

During these years, the Bible was held up as the ultimate source of truth yet interpreted solely from a western, highly individualistic perspective that focused on the individual’s life and the unity of believers within the church. Because of this perspective, there was no acknowledgement of the many passages of scripture that spoke to racial reconciliation or justice issues. Many years have passed and justice issues and diversity are on the minds of younger students and highlighted in the mission and value statements of most universities. But do these acknowledgements of the importance of these issues, and the interest of the students translate into curriculum that highlights these elements? According to the case studies presented by Christerson, Edwards & Emerson (2005), when asking professors and administrators why they believed diversity was important, very few professors and no administrators pointed to the believe that diversity promotes academic excellence by providing multiple perspectives or diverse ways of knowing. One Chinese American student interviewed stated that “Race, class, and gender issues are not talked about in Bible classes. Which is incredible because the Bible is always talking about these things. Jesus’ parables are always talking about which groups

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