Becoming a thoughtful Christian means learning to think well and to think Christianly. And in noting these two points, we want to say that they must be both at once. Making this observation recognizes that it is possible to be thoughtful without being Christian, and that it is possible to be a Christian without being thoughtful. Frankly, in our current duality-promoting context, either of these would be easier for most people to contemplate. What is challenging is to be both thoughtful and Christian in vigorous and vital engagement with each other and interdependence among each other. We believe, however, that such integration is precisely what is needed at this time in the church and in our culture.

David S. Dockery has been the president of Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois) since 2014, before which he served as president of Union University (Jackson, Tennessee) for more than 18 years.  A recognized leader in Christian higher education across the United States, Dr. Dockery has spoken at more than 50 colleges, universities and seminaries, and has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the CCCU (board chair from 2005-6), the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, Christianity Today International (consulting editor for more than 20 years), the Prison Fellowship Ministries, and the Evangelical Theological Society (vice-president and president).  He is the author or editor of more than 30 books, including his highly acclaimed Renewing Minds. Serving Church and Society through Christian Higher Education (2008).