Dr. John Han, Professor of English & Editor of Intégrité
Missouri Baptist University has launched the first two issues of its semiannual
scholarly publication Intégrité: A Faith and Learning Journal amidst applause from across the nation. The print version of the fall
2002 edition was published with the Institutional Renewal Grant from
the Rhodes Consultation; issuing the spring 2003 edition was made possible
by the Institutional Renewal Grant and with additional funding from the
University. The online version of the journal is posted at www.mobap.edu/academics/fl/journal/.
Intégrité examines philosophical, theological, and pedagogical
issues related to the integration of Christian faith and higher learning;
it also strives to integrate doctrinal Christianity with various life pursuits
of both students and teachers. The Editorial Advisory Board comprises four
MBU faculty members—Andy Chambers, Curtis McClain, Cordell Schulten,
and Clark Triplett—who, alongside the editor, plan for each issue
and review submissions. A senior faculty member from each academic division
serves on the Intégrité Advisory Board, and a dozen faculty
and staff members volunteer proofreading articles and book reviews.
Intégrité is distributed to the University faculty free
of charge and to subscribing individuals (for $10/year) and institutions
(for $20/year). This past spring approximately 300 complimentary copies
of the first issue were mailed to Southern Baptist schools and other
evangelical institutions of higher learning. As of mid-September 2003,
we have received subscription orders from 14 institutions: Calvin College
and Seminary (MI), Baptist Memorial Hospital (Memphis, TN), Biola University
(CA), Covenant College (GA), Geneva College (PA), Hannibal-LaGrange College
(MO), John Brown University (AR), Judson College (IL), The Master’s
College (CA), Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL), Spring Arbor University
(MI), Walla Walla College (WA), Taylor University (IN), and Waynesburg
College (PA). We also have two individual subscribers associated with
Christian Leadership Ministries’ Academic Initiative (TN) and First
Baptist Church of Cedar Hill (MO), respectively.
Comments from readers have been unanimously positive and encouraging.
The subscriber in Tennessee wrote in his letter, “Congratulations
on producing a much-needed journal to deal with [faith-and-learning] issues.
May God greatly prosper your efforts in the days ahead.” In her e-mail
to us, a serials librarian in the State of Washington noted, “Just
wanted to tell you that we think your journal is great! We like to see
scholarly articles about the intersection of faith with other endeavors
in academe! Keep up the good work.” A professor at the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln sent us e-mail commending Intégrité as
a “handsome publication” which includes a range of “fascinating
articles.”
According to Dr. Andy Chambers, who recently attended the Rhodes Consultation annual national conference in Montreat, North Carolina, our journal was acclaimed as a tangible product of Institutional Renewal Grant funding well spent. Baylor University professor Douglas V. Henry, who also attended the meeting, commented that Intégrité was a worthy project, not least of all, because it provided an opportunity for substantive, sustained engagement regarding Christian intellectual life within the concrete context of the academic community constituted by MBU. Professor Henry has invited the University’s Faith and Learning Committee to convene a session on Intégrité during the March 2004 Baylor Conference on “Christianity and the Soul of the University: Faith as a Foundation for Intellectual Community,” in Waco, Texas. Four faculty members—Brenda Bradford, John Han, Cordell Schulten, and Clark Triplett—will attend the conference to discuss why we started Intégrité and what we attempt to accomplish through this journal. The University’s journal is one of 21 session sponsors alongside such schools as Boston College, Dallas Baptist University, and the University of St. Thomas (MN). The plenary speakers at the conference will include scholars from the University of Chicago, Calvin College, Duke University, Baylor University, and Cambridge University.
As editor, I truly believe that Intégrité is becoming a national journal addressing integration of faith and academic pursuit. Hundreds of Christian colleges and universities exist in the United States, but very few schools publish a similar journal despite their keen interest in Christian faith-learning integration. Indeed, Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, appears to be the only school that produces an academic journal like ours, Pro Rege.
Read
issues of Intégrité
Volume 1, Issue 1 (Fall
2002)
Volume 2, Issue 1 (Spring
2003)
Volume 2, Issue 2 (Fall 2003)
We are planning to make Intégrité even better. The cover design will remain the same, but the layout of the text will be enhanced in the fall 2003 issue. We have applied for ISSNs (International Standard Serial Numbers) for the print and online versions and are looking for ways to have the journal indexed in such publications as Southern Baptist Periodical Index, Religion One, and Christian Periodical Index. We are considering expanding our contributor base to include not only our own University faculty but also regionally or nationally recognized figures in Christian higher education. Many members of the MBU family, especially Dr. Alton Lacey and Dr. Arlen Dykstra, have offered encouragement and support for the journal, and we are thankful for that. We look forward to serving the needs of Christian academicians for many years to come.
Intégrité-Related News Items
Rhodes Consultation Grant Funds Intégrité
MBU Publishes Intégrité:
A Faith and Learning Journal
