Dr. John L. Carson, President of Erskine College and Seminary
Erskine President's Reflections Included In Newly Released Book
A book widely distributed on Christian college campuses across North America this fall includes an essay by Dr. John L. Carson, president of Erskine College and Seminary, according to Ronald Knott of Andrews University Press, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Carson's contribution appears in College Faith: 150 Christian Leaders and Educators Share Faith Stories from Their Student Days, released in July by Andrews University Press. The book contains short personal testimonies and essays about faith lessons the writers learned during college.
"Apparently I was one of a large number of Christian educators who were selected for this project," Carson said. "Erskine's membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities plus our reputation as an excellent Christian liberal arts college were undoubtedly factors in my being selected."
More than 40,000 copies of College Faith were sold to Christian colleges and bookstores in the first 12 weeks after the book's release, Knott said.
"We published the book because we believe administrators, teachers, staff, and students will be inspired by the simple faith stories people have to tell," said Knott. "Higher education is the time when many people make formative faith decisions for good or ill. We think people ought to read simple but powerful stories like the one told by Dr. Carson."
In College Faith, Carson relates how his older brother's death led him to change his plans and enroll in a Christian college.
"The book actually turned out much better than I expected," Carson said. "Often such ventures are entirely motivated by financial gain and the product is not worthy.
"With College Faith, however, I do not think this is true," he said. "I have read several essays by Christian leaders and been impressed by the quality of their writing and the breadth of their concerns.
"Some are very moving," Carson said. "This book could be very useful for both current and prospective students to reflect upon while making decisions facing them during their college years.
"For me, God was doing a lot more in my life than merely having me spend four years getting a degree."
Other writers for the book include the presidents of more than 60 Christian colleges, universities, theological seminaries, and Christian ministries. Among them are Bill Bright, founder and president of Campus Crusade for Christ; Alec Hill, president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; J.P. Moreland, professor of philosophy at Biola University; Mark A. Noll, professor of Christian Thought at Wheaton College; the presidents of Baylor University, Pepperdine University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Trinity International University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and many others.
Timothy George, executive editor of Christianity Today and Dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, says, "College Faith is a book of encouragement for students everywhere, as well as for those who teach them, and for all those who love and pray for them."
College Faith is available in Christian bookstores and on-line at
