The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship

when discussions tum to the academic programs. Here is where Marsden's practical insight into why religious (Christian) beliefs are meaningful and useful is important. Having a religious frame of reference does make a dif-ference in how the data of human experience are seen and understood. In Marsden's terms, Christianity offers some questions to be answered, some theories to be examined, and some projects to be undertaken, all of which might be overlooked or not be of interest to other observers. Although Marsden acknowledges that Christianity not only asks the questions, but gives the answers, he points out that it leads the Christian searcher for truth to discover whether there are other reasons (other than rev-elation) that would support the Christian position. He also demonstrates how religion makes certain projects and life choices more attractive and, hence, encourages action or behavior that otherwise might be dismissed as irrele-vant. In sum, what makes a difference is the Christian worldview. It has a