Think Harvard is a godless wasteland of secular academia? Think again.

More than 35 Harvard professors and alums have contributed to a new anthology titled Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians.

The book was edited by Kelly K. Monroe, an officer in the United Ministry.

The writers featured in the book include prominent figures such as Agee Professor of Social Ethics Robert Coles '50; Professor of Astronomy and the History of Science Owen J. Gingerich; world-class ice skater Paul Wylie '91; and American Red Cross President Elizabeth H. Dole, an alum of the Law School.

Monroe said, however, that the point of the book is not merely to tell the stories of celebrities.

"It's not sort of the who's who of worldly achievers but real people with real questions and troubles," Monroe said.

She said the purpose of the book was "to gather people from many disciplines, many cultures to talk about their discoveries of truth as well as the unity and the beauty of truth in relation to the gospel."

The works in the anthology are essays and speeches, not intellectual discussions.

"It's not an academic book," Monroe said. "It's personal stories of questions and troubles."

According to Monroe, the stories in the book reflect what she feels was the plan of Harvard's founders.

"The whole heritage of Harvard and the original vision of the college emerges in the lives of these people as we enter the 20th century," Monroe said.

She noted that the original motto of the school was "In Christe Gloriam," or "In Christ, Glory." Later, the "Veritas" seal often included "Christoet Ecclesiae."

"Yet today the 'Christo et Ecclesiae' has been detached from 'Veritas.' 'Veritas' is now unanchored," Monroe said. "I think that in a pluralistic world that is perhaps necessary and understandable but we should at least allow students to explore what the founders had in mind."

Monroe said she felt some aspect was missing from the college experience.

"It seems as if everything else can be talked about except for this one possible truth and that's not liberal education," Monroe said.