ABSTRACT:

In this post, I share my journey of discovering the concept of faith integration and reflect on how it shapes my work as a librarian in Christian higher education. I explain that faith integration means striving to make Jesus Christ Lord over every area of life, including my professional responsibilities, by allowing my beliefs to inform both my actions and my understanding of librarianship. I wrestle with the complexities of applying faith to practical and theoretical aspects of my work—whether it’s how I serve patrons, organize information, or create spaces for holistic growth—and emphasize that every part of my job, no matter how small, is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s character. Ultimately, I encourage fellow Christians to seek ways to integrate their faith into all domains of life, trusting that God can use our unique gifts and circumstances to display His sovereignty and love through our daily work.

FULL ENTRY:

This blog has already used the terms “faith and learning,” “faith integration,” and “the integration of faith and learning,” but what do these mean? I want to take a moment and examine the idea of “faith integration”/”faith and learning.” While these ideas are prevalent in Christian higher education, I feel these terms/ideas may be unfamiliar to some. I say this because after spending several years in Christian higher education (as a student), I had never heard of “faith integration” or “faith and learning.” My first exposure to this idea was not until I began working in Christian higher education. Questions compounded my initial exposure to this concept, which led to a lot of reading and thinking, which has been critical in helping me comprehend and apply it. I share that, in part, because I hope that if you are unfamiliar with this concept, you don’t feel awkward because I was there too. However, the ideas behind faith integration are, in my opinion, something with which all Christians should be familiar (even though one may lack familiarity with the term itself). Faith integration, faith and learning, or whatever term is used, simply strives to make Jesus Christ Lord over all dimensions of life, a key component reflecting the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all domains.

Although crowning Jesus Christ as Lord over all dimensions of life may seem straightforward in some areas, it is often complicated, and challenges quickly arise. Subsequently, much discussion exists regarding how one defines and applies “faith integration” (e.g., Badley, 1994; Dockery, 2008; Glanzer, 2008; Joldersma, 2008). Some go as far as to argue that only particular manifestations of faith in a discipline and/or a workplace are authentic displays of faith integration. For example, faith integration occurs when an individual looks at the founding ideologies of a discipline (like librarianship) and attempts to critique and redefine them from a Christian perspective. Information is a crucial concept when it comes to librarianship. Does an epistemology aligning with biblical and theological truths drive how a Christian might define information differently than a non-Christian? As information traditionally has a strong connection with knowledge, one might ask: “Does the idea that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7) impact our understanding of information?” Pursuing questions like these and understanding their impact on the profession are ways the Lordship of Jesus Christ can impact a profession.

However, is this the only way to integrate faith into a discipline? Librarianship is primarily a service-oriented profession. Some suggest that librarians manifest their faith by serving a patron with a heart reflecting the love of Jesus Christ. There is much truth to that. Scripture notes that our faith must be shown through what we do (James 2:17) and that loving your neighbor (i.e., a patron) is an exemplification of faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:14). Some would argue that since librarianship is essentially a pragmatic profession (focusing on what is done), it does not need a developed theoretical base (Zwaldo, 1997), and subsequently, simply reflecting God’s love in serving a patron is a critical means of faith integration. While I disagree with this premise (that because librarianship is pragmatic, it does not need a theoretical base [cf. Radford and Budd, 1997]), serving a patron wholeheartedly is a crucial dimension through which faith can be displayed through librarianship.

While there is debate on what accounts for faith integration, there are undoubtedly numerous ways an individual can manifest their faith through librarianship. Subsequently, I argue that faith integration for librarianship is one’s effort to practice and understand how Jesus Christ can be displayed as Lord of all domains through librarianship. Faith integration drives inquiries such as: “How should my understanding of the Lordship of Jesus Christ guide how I treat a colleague or catalog a record?” As I ask that question, I hear a response: “Sure, I can see how important it is to reflect Jesus in how I treat another individual, but would the Lordship of Jesus Christ impact cataloging protocol?” My answer to this is a profound: “YES!” I say this not because I am a cataloger but because I am in firm agreement with Abraham Kuyper (1998), who stated: “(t)here is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” (p. 461). Every square inch in the whole domain of human existence, including library cataloging, is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Subsequently, Jesus Christ should be reflected in all components of librarianship.

It is easy to misunderstand faith integration. Many assume its primary context is Christian higher education, subsequently, the term: “faith and learning.” Because of this assumption, many suppose faith integration should not be a concern unless one works in Christian higher education. While faith integration is often taught and emphasized in Christian higher education, faith integration looks at how one’s faith can be applied to learning and all facets of life, including one’s family, relationships, hobbies, and professional endeavors. While the context in which I work (Christian higher education) makes faith integration a critical component of my professional responsibilities, integrating one’s faith into one’s professional responsibilities (and all of one’s life) is crucial for all followers of Jesus Christ in all contexts. The Lordship of Jesus Christ demands it.

In an essay in CCCU Magazine, Todd Ream makes a constructive point about faith integration. Ream notes that in many contexts (librarianship included), our professional postures have become cramped, self-referential, defensive, and fearful (Defining the Integration of Faith and Learning, 2023, para. 17). If I aim to integrate the gospel of Jesus Christ into my professional endeavors, does my professional demeanor reflect a false gospel, that is a cramped, self-referential, defensive and fearful “gospel”? Ashamedly, I must confess that there have been many times when my attitude, demeanor, and actions did not reflect the character of the gospel. Such reality leads me to recall two components. First, I am a sinner; when my attitude is like this, I am not reflecting the gospel. Instead, I am reflecting the reality of Romans 7:24-25: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” (ESV). Such sin requires that I seek forgiveness from the individual I offended in my cramped, self-referential attitude and forgiveness from God, who is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). The second point is that the gospel contrasts a self-referential, defensive, fearful posture. As faith integration aims to reflect the gospel of Jesus Christ through all domains of life (not just one’s professional endeavors), Ream’s point compels me to ask: “How can my professional posture as a librarian reflect the gospel’s hopeful, joy-filled, redemptive nature?” Or, since my faith in Jesus Christ must drive all domains of my life, perhaps I should ask: “How can my posture as a customer at a retail store who has waited for what seems like hours reflect the gospel’s hopeful, joy-filled, redemptive nature?” Faith integration aims to display Jesus Christ as Lord of all domains, including my roles at work, home, the marketplace, church, and all facets of life.

So, if faith integration is one’s effort to practice and understand how Jesus Christ can be displayed as Lord of all domains, what does this look like? Faith integration rests upon the assumption (as articulated by Abraham Kuyper) that God is sovereign over all domains of life, including librarianship. Bobby Ray Dunk recently finished a dissertation entitled “Faith Integration in Christian Higher Education.” In this dissertation, Dunk provides a notable overview of the current dialog regarding how faith integration is defined. In summary, Dunk (2024) notes that “(a) well-rounded IFL (integration of faith and learning) model should encompass the spiritual formation of the student, promote whole-person learning, prioritize a student’s long-term spiritual growth and development, and incorporate a comprehensive Christian worldview through the utilization of the narrative of Scripture” (pp. 83-84).

Dunk’s articulation of what faith integration should entail is exceptional because these four components speak well about how faith integrates into librarianship in the context of higher education. How can librarians promote whole-person learning, prioritize a student’s long-term spiritual growth and development, and incorporate a comprehensive Christian worldview? For example, faith integration aims to utilize library space as a context that fosters whole-person learning and long-term spiritual growth and development. Having this as a focal point leads one to ask whether there are places on campus that intentionally foster discipleship-based relationships? Are there ways that library space can be utilized for this? Many libraries already provide contexts that promote personal, academic, and spiritual growth, and they do this for several reasons. Doing this intentionally can display a librarian’s love, care, and concern for the patron, reflecting God’s love for us. Some librarians also investigate what librarianship might look like in the context of a comprehensive worldview. For example, in an essay by Denise Nelson (2019), she explores how hospitality can be incorporated into librarianship when viewed through a Christian worldview. Both of these are commendable reflections of the sovereignty of Jesus Christ over all domains, including librarianship.

In his work entitled, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, John Frame (1987) makes an insightful observation. He notes that when Scripture commands believers to pray, preach, help those in poverty, and so forth, in a vast majority of contexts, these are addressed to the church, not necessarily individual believers (pp. 138-139). In stating this, Frame is not trying to suggest that, subsequently, I can pass the buck to another person when the Lord lays upon my heart to pray for an individual, and I refuse to do so because it is outside of my comfort zone. However, it is vital to acknowledge that God gives each of us distinct talents and gifts that need to be used to glorify God and advance the kingdom of God. As Frame alludes, these gifts were given to serve as part of a community of believers. I am convinced that all Christian librarians must strive to integrate their faith into librarianship. Does this imply that all faithful librarians should start a blog and write articles related to faith integration and librarianship? No, it does not. Because God has gifted us distinctly, we must find ways to integrate our faith in the profession that align with our talents and gifts. Does this imply that because I enjoy writing, I make no effort to promote whole-person learning in my library? Or is it because I enjoy research and see myself as task-oriented that I make no effort to use teaching opportunities as a context to prioritize a student’s long-term spiritual growth and development? The answer to both is a resounding, “Of course not!” We must strive to find opportunities to glorify God that align with our gifts and talents while trying to glorify God in every context in which we have been placed. Because I believe in God’s sovereignty, I trust God places me in awkward and uncomfortable contexts to empower my growth and development (Romans 8:28). However, it involves using wisdom to discern God’s leading and guidance in all facets of life because all aspects of my life reflect my faith in Jesus Christ (or my lack thereof).

The context in which I serve as a librarian is Christian higher education. It is safe to assume that this context is quite distinct from a public library or a library in a public institution of higher education (or even many private institutions of higher education). As noted above, I am convinced that all Christian librarians must strive to integrate their faith into librarianship. What does this look like in a context where faith integration may not be an explicit institutional objective? Let’s say a student group asks to use the library for an event promoting something you fervently disagree with. What does faith integration look like in this context?

As I stated in an earlier entry, the gospel must drive librarianship, and humility is a vital component of the gospel. I aim to present this idea enveloped with humility, first by noting that (as in many contexts of life) there is not a “simple” answer. I feel that there are contexts where faith integration may drive one to step away from participating in an event like this or other contexts where faith integration may compel one to serve these constituents. I know this kind of answer frustrates many people because I am not giving a clear “yes/no” answer. While there are several points where I feel that Scripture speaks clearly, in a “yes/no” manner, how we apply those truths can differ. In the context noted above, one could argue that as hospitality is a hallmark of the Christian faith, allowing this group to use the library is an expression of hospitality (Nelson, 2019). In the Christian faith, motivations matter! In this context, showing hospitality (particularly to individuals with whom you disagree) can be an excellent picture of the gospel, displaying your love for the individual despite your disagreement with some component of their life.

If the gospel must drive librarianship, what if, in the same context, a Christian librarian has convictions that they should not participate? Am I implying that one can only manifest the gospel by participating? God has given all Christians the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to act, empowers us to resist, and qualifies us to discern. The faithful librarian should encompass an opportunity like this in prayer for wisdom so that God can guide their response through the work of the Holy Spirit. Is deciding to decline assisting a group like this not being hospitable? It does not need to be. Unfortunately, there are many contexts in today’s time when such an act of declining assistance would be seen as hostile, irreverent, and disrespectful. This kind of thinking (that because someone is declining to do something implies that they hate me) is simply incorrect. I need to be careful not to be swayed into this mentality myself. Instead, I understand that life is complicated and assume the best when someone declines to help or is disrespectful. Why assume the best? Because the individual who just disrespected me or was hostile towards me is made in God’s image. Perhaps in a context like this, holding one’s ground because of theological convictions while manifesting humility and love for your neighbor could be just as clear a portrayal of the gospel as displaying hospitality.

This blog focuses on one particular component of faith integration: the application of faith into the profession of librarianship. As I noted earlier, faith integration for librarianship is one’s effort to practice and understand how Jesus Christ can be displayed as Lord of all domains through librarianship. How does the display of your faith in the context of librarianship manifest the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

References

Badley, K. (1994). The Faith-Learning Integration Movement in Christian Higher Education: Slogan or Substance? Journal of Research on Christian Education, 3(1), 13–33.

Defining the integration of faith and learning: A conversation with Esau McCaulley, Todd Ream, Derek Schuurman, and Andrea Scott. (2023, Spring). CCCU Magazine. https://www.cccu.org/magazine/defining-the-integration-of-faith-and-learning/

Dockery, D. S. (2008). Renewing minds: Serving church and society through Christian higher education. B&H Academic.

Dunk, B. R. (2024). Faith Integration in Christian Higher Education: Evaluating Gaebelein’s IFL Model for Pedagogical Effectiveness (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary).

Frame, J. M. (1987). The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Baker.

Glanzer, P. (2008). Why We Should Discard the Integration of Faith and Learning: Rearticulating the Mission of the Christian Scholar. Journal of Education & Christian Belief, 12(1), 41–52.

Joldersma, C. (1996). Faith/Learning Integration: A Substantive Example That Transcends Sloganeering. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 5(1), 67–87.

Kuyper, A. (1998). Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader. Eerdmans.

Nelson, D. (2019). In a Manner Worthy of God: Hospitality and the Christian Librarian. In G. Trott (Ed.), The Faithful Librarian: Essays on Christianity in the Profession (pp. 66–75). McFarland & Co.

Radford, G. P., & Budd, J. M. (1997). We do need a philosophy of library and information science–we’re not confused enough: A response. Library Quarterly, 67(3), 315.

Zwadlo, J. (1997). We don’t need a philosophy of library and information science—We’re confused enough already. Library Quarterly, 67(2), 103–121.