Since 2000, Chesterton House has ensured a space on the Cornell University campus where students and faculty can explore the way the Christian faith impacts the life of the mind and the practice of vocation. ByFaith asked Chesterton House’s founder and executive director, Karl Johnson, who is transitioning to a new, part-time position with the facility, to reflect on the changing role of Chesterton House during the past 20 years.
What does Chesterton House provide to the students of Cornell?
We have three pillars to what we do. The first is events. We bring in Christian scholars from a variety of disciplines who are experts in a field such as philosophy or physical science and are exploring Christian faith and their academic disciplines.
We are trying to convey the idea to students and scholars (faculty) that the life of the mind and life in Christ do not need to be in tension with each other.
Second, we offer accredited courses. We have a relationship with Gordon College and bring in Gordon professors to teach courses in biblical studies. We offer one course each fall, winter, and spring. These are small classes of about 10 students that go much deeper.
Finally, we have residential living-learning communities. We have two large houses — a former sorority house and an old historic faculty home — that are now residential homes. Students, about 35 total, are living in intentional Christian community.
Those three pillars grow out of a deeper intention of what we are trying to accomplish. We are trying to convey the idea to students and scholars (faculty) that the life of the mind and life in Christ do not need to be in tension with each other. Following academic pursuits should draw us deeper into life in Christ, and life in Christ should draw us deeper into our studies.
How has the ministry grown and changed during the past 20 years?
One of the most significant developments is that now there is a formal Consortium of Christian Study Centers. In the early days it was really lonely, and we had to figure out a lot on our own. Now we have over 24 consortium members, and we get together to discuss what’s working and share best practices.
When we added the residential pillar, it was a pivot in the ministry. It required a shift on our part from treating students as disembodied minds to dealing with all aspects of human living — their eating and sleeping, hopes and fears, successes, and failures. We are with them in the trenches of those issues, helping them navigate real life. We are serving students more holistically and helping prepare them for all of life.
In the early years we talked a lot about Christian scholarship and thought. Now we also think a lot about Christian presence. Hospitality in real and physical space, but hospitality also has an intellectual dimension. We bring in professors and engage them on why a topic means so much to them and what it says about their interests, hopes, and dreams.
We talk a lot about wisdom. Not just scholarship but wisdom for living and for life.
In our next issue, we will explore Chesterton House’s work in more detail.
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