Integration Of Faith And Learning Essay

Improved Essays
The theological integration of faith and learning is one of the essential elements to the educational theory and practice of a Christian Higher Education institution. A discussion of these essential elements helps to set the backdrop for an explanation of my approach to the integration of faith and teaching, learning, and research in regards to Christian Higher Education, especially to Christian Ministry and Leadership discipline. I believe that the elements that are essential to the educational theory and practice of a Christian university are the development of students’ Christian worldview in which Christ-centered education is systematically rooted, the theological integration of faith and learning, and the preparation of students’ vocation …show more content…
General revelation discloses to all persons, in all times and all places through nature, history and the heart of a person (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20, Psalm 14:1). Special revelation is revealed to a particular person in a particular time through certain sacred writings (Psalm 19:7-9; John 17:17; Hebrews 1:3; John 2:11). Humans lost their complete and direct special revelation of God because of sin, which also diminished the human comprehension of general revelation. Regaining the general revelation depends on regaining the special revelation through redemptive work of Christ. Thus, direct Bible text, its implications, or inductive conclusions (Truths) have a higher degree of authority than the general revelation or its deductive conclusion (truths) when science contradicts theology. Although the general revelation is insufficient, it is important because without the deductive conclusion from general revelation, humans have no concepts regarding God and His works that enable them to understand the God of the special revelation. Thus, in the theological integration of faith and learning, the general revelation, whether it is of natural or social sciences including teaching, learning, and research, will be of value when it sheds light on the special …show more content…
A Christian educational institution equips, supports, and encourages students to apply their knowledge and skills toward (a) committing a personal discipline and transformation to live more like Jesus Christ by being His disciples in trust and obedience, (b) pursuing a personal calling to work more like Christ by serving others in humility and love, and (c) developing relationships with others and assisting others to discover relationships with

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Hauerwas emphasizes that the importance of a broad education to Christians is so that it will allow us to be the leaven in the lump of academia. Also, hauerwas argues that being a Christian does not depend on being educated. According to Hauoewas, it is important to recognize that college should not create an illusion that being smart and well educated is the be-all and end-all of life. On the other hand, when Boyer is making a point regarding the connectedness of things, he argues that for students to understand life and live well, they must think that there is a connection between the so-called secular and the sacred. According to Boyer, one of the things that identify Messiah college from other colleges is the conviction in the search for connections between the secular and the sacred.…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “Teaching faith to assist the “salvation” process is a lofty ideal for schools”; this is one of the main statements of Teaching Faith in the Twenty First Century: Pointers for Christian Schools, by its author Barry Hill (pg. 18). In this article, Hill attempts firstly to describe faith itself by unraveling the etymology and historic definitions of the word faith. The definitions that the author uses are referrals from several 20-century writers, as well as from seven different languages at distinct historical timespans. Based on the most common definitions of faith, Hill constructs and displays nine different aspects of faith and later what he calls the six “faces of faith in schools” (pg. 21).…

    • 684 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A revelation is an unveiling or reveal of something from God to man. Revelation shows us that we have a God who is good and who reveals. The two types of revelation are general revelation and special revelation. General revelation is exposed and attainable throughout creation and the human conscience. Whereas, special revelation is a personal revelation through history, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, or scripture.…

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Troy University

    • 1021 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Troy University (Troy, AL) Troy University, founded in 1887, boasts over 100,000 alumni across all 50 states. The university offers 46 bachelor’s degrees, 22 master’s degrees and 2 doctoral programs total. The Council of Rehabilitation Education nationally accredits two of Troy University’s College of Education programs. The university also offers a variety of online undergraduate, master’s, PhD and professional certificate programs through its Global Campus.…

    • 1021 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Third, Christian colleges do more than simply prepare students for successful careers. Finally, Christian learning is an intrinsic good rooted in the doctrine of creation. Rick Ostrander refers to Genesis 1 and how there is much debate about how the earth was created. The biblical creation account has four key implications for…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    While Seattle Pacific does not require a profession of Christian faith for admission, Seattle Pacific's Christian identity inspires our vision to my . We encourage all students to live out SPU’s vision. It means that we pursue education not just to get a degree, but also to be changed — and to change the world — for the better. How does SPU’s vision align with your desires for college? How does your own faith perspective or personal story intersect with SPU’s visionFurther education to help people:…

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    “Worldviews shape not just our individual lives, but universities as well.” (Why College Matters To God, 20) I believe that the main way that we should live in the world is through listening to and being able to talk to people openly about differences in beliefs and social differences. If one strives to be conscious of and learn from other points of views and experiences, one can be enlightened and educated in things that they might have missed otherwise.…

    • 1748 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Gcu's Core Values

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The community at GCU is a product of the diversity of traditions and denominations that have developed from the roots of biblical Christianity. While embracing this diversity, the university cultivates unity around the core doctrines and practices of the Christian faith. GCU believes the gospel of Jesus Christ empowers those who are followers of Him to live in community with one another in faith, hope and love. Therefore, the College of Theology encourages leaders to faithfully live out the message they teach and preach.…

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Christian Worldviews

    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages

    For years now among Christians and the secular world there’s been an ongoing debate. What’s the difference in view points and how do those affect how we live our lives? What exactly defines a Christian worldview? How does a worldview shape our daily decisions? With so many questions surrounding the topic and few answers it can be hard to determine a conclusion.…

    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Faith Definition Essay

    • 845 Words
    • 4 Pages

    When someone says that they have faith about someone or something, they often refer to having a strong belief in whatever it may be. Faith is having the confidence or trust in something or someone often times not based on proof. A person can display faith in many different ways and forms. Being that there are many different types of faith, they all have to do with the same thing. Just to name a few a person can demonstrate their faith by having, healing and living by faith.…

    • 845 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    GCU Intellectual Analysis

    • 123 Words
    • 1 Pages

    GCU’s Christian heritage makes the GCU academic experience different than the experience at a non-faith-based university because Christian principles are integrated across everything. This helps to shape personal perspectives in a positive and healthy way. I have attended a non-faith-based university and although I received a superior academic education I felt that my education was somehow incomplete. At GCU there is an emphasis to enrich spiritual life which I find completes the academic experience. With access to spiritual leadership I feel that my education is more personal.…

    • 123 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    What does it mean to live as a Christian? What difference can I make as a teacher? These questions stuck in my mind for a few weeks. Children have a pure heart and they believe in God without doubt. As they are growing up in a Christian environment, they can protect themselves from falling into sin.…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “To be Christian at all is to be a theologian, there are no exceptions” (Stone 3). Theology is the understanding of our God through a process of thinking about life in the light of faith. We use theology when engaging in our calling and when we turn for knowledge and support. How to Think Theologically, explains the difficult process of theological thinking and reflections. The author wants us to understand that if we practice religion and live according to our Christian faith, then we are practicing theology.…

    • 1389 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    4MAT Review on McMinn Stephanie Dooley Liberty University Summary This is a review on the book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark R. McMinn, Ph.D. This book is a great resource for someone who has chosen the path of Christian counseling. The author states that the main idea of the book is, “this is a book for those wanting to investigate the frontier of intra-disciplinary integration” (McMinn, 2011, p. 9).…

    • 1302 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    On August 26, 2005, I gave my life to Christ, and it was the start of a whole new chapter of my journey. I still remember that night vividly in my head. The feelings of excitement, joy, and love were very tangible in my heart. My mom and dad were both sitting beside me on my bed while I was told the importance of this decision and how my life would never be the same. Even at 5 years old, I was aware of my decision to follow Jesus and accept him into my heart.…

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays