Doctrinal Statement Workshop
Doctrinal StatementUse the resources provided to learn about the Doctrinal Statement. Then take a quiz at the bottom to receive recognition for your completion. In addition, use the comment section below to share about how you've used the doctrinal statement in class. |
Introduction and Discourse Listen to this text
"Universities today are increasingly complicated places serving multiple constituencies that have conflicting agendas" (Arthur, 2008). GCU is a private Christian university. GCU operates within an investment model. Whereas some universities might be ok with displaying contradictions between investment models and worldviews, GCU is not one of those universities. GCU intends to be clear about its Christian identity, its purpose, and spiritual goals. Is a Christian education at GCU any different than higher education at secular counterparts? The short answer is, "Yes," but then the question that follows is, "How?"
GCU's Christian principles are the source of its Christian identity. GCU convictions and commitments are not exclusive to the ground campus. All GCU students - ground and online - will grow and gain from ongoing discussions between students, faculty, and the larger Christian community. While GCU does not require students, staff, or faculty to sign a statement acknowledging a statement of faith, we do strive to provide a learning environment that embraces our Christian values.
Brian Mueller refers to the Statement of Faith as a "true north place." The Doctrinal Statement serves as a destination, a "true north place" for its Christian academic community.
In the video below, Brian Mueller (CEO) fields questions from Tim Griffin (Dean of Students, Campus Pastor). These questions were developed by GCU faculty, in the hopes of:
- Gaining the university perspective on the Statement of Faith
- Understanding where it fits into the historical context of GCU
- Explaining what it means for faculty,
- Incorporating a Christian worldview into the classroom.
The Brian Mueller and Tim Griffin video is 30 minutes in its entirety but the video interview has been conveniently divided up into the following 10 sections:
- Historical Context and Relevance
- Embracing the Statement: A True North Place
- God is Becoming our Brand
- Christianity is What we Believe.
- Digesting and Distilling the Statement
- Weaving Theology into Teaching
- Questions about the Statement of Faith
- Investment Model and Embracing Diversity
- Faculty Services as a Resource
- Incorporating Christian Worldview in a Spirit of Open Inquiry
References
Arthur, J. (2008). Faith and Secularisation in Religious Colleges and Universities. Journal Of Beliefs & Values, 29(2), 197-202.
Brian Mueller (CEO) Discusses Expectations for Faculty
Watch all 10 videos in the playlist below (30 minutes total)
Doctrinal Statement Listen to this text
WE BELIEVE the Bible, in the Old and New Testament Scriptures to be inspired, the only infallible, true and authoritative Word of God.
WE BELIEVE that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
WE BELIEVE in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. Being fully God and perfect man He performed miracles and lived a sinless life.
WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ suffered a vicarious and atoning death through the shedding of His blood. He was buried and on the third day was resurrected in His body; after which He ascended to be seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
WE BELIEVE that mankind was originally created in the image and likeness of God, and free from sin. Through the temptation of Satan, they transgressed the command of God and fell from their original righteousness, whereby all people have inherited a sinful nature that is opposed to God, and are thus under condemnation. As soon as they are capable of moral action, they become actual transgressors.
WE BELIEVE that for salvation of lost and sinful people, the regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God and is worshipped and glorified with the Father and Son. He divinely inspired the scriptures, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, leads Christ's Church in truth and is the Teacher and Comforter sent by Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone; that salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who exercise faith in Jesus Christ. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of the living and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
WE BELIEVE in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ as one holy catholic and apostolic Church, Christ's Body and Bride ministering reconciliation to a lost world. As ambassadors for the Kingdom of God and the Church, we affirm that evangelism and engagement in societal issues are both part of our Christian duty; both are necessary expressions of our doctrines of God and humanity, our love for our neighbor and our obedience to Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE the message of salvation proclaimed by Christ's Church is an indictment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, denouncing evil and injustice wherever it exists by lovingly ushering in the good news that Christ reconciled the world to Himself.
End of Workshop Quiz
Additional Learning
See below for comments on how faculty use the doctrinal statement in class. |
Your Insights- Use this space to share ways you've used the doctrinal statement as an instructor.
OfflineOfflineThis was a very informative workshop. Incorporating these doctrinal statements into my teaching environment is a great privilege.
OfflineDoctrinal statements help guide what we teach and why, I look forward to working with students to understand the importance of a clearly defined doctrinal statement.
OfflineI have just begun teaching on campus here at GCU and have always been Christian through the Catholic church. I have a life plan that keeps mental, physical, social, spiritual, academic, economic, humanitarian, emotional, and family issues in equilibrium, that is a good place, and will now start to incorporate more Christian views into each.
OfflineIn psychology, the doctrinal statement and a Christian worldview provides a framework through which to understand human behavior. This can be utilized in many ways from understanding moral behavior with sin as a root cause or understanding how loneliness is a felt need that God desires to fill.
OfflineLessons in art history can be effective in conveying ideas from the doctrinal statement.
OfflineI thought it was really great that they encourage faculty and students to build a relationship with the College of Theology for those tough questions or concerns.
OfflineThis will be my first semester teaching in-classroom at GCU. I believe the doctrinal statement provides a great framework and platform for sharing and integrating our Christian beliefs within the context of the course and its context to everyday life.
OfflineI have not began teaching a class at GCU yet but listening to the doctrinal statement reminds me of the Apostle Creed that I recite in church every Sunday. This is a creed that I try to live by and I have intentions of teaching in the same manner. Religion is so important in healthcare and being able to share the scientific knowledge along with prayer is a vital part of educating the future.
OfflineThe Doctrinal statement serves a beacon for the class , in the sense where it guides the direction of the learning process and can emit inspiration throughout the course work.
OfflineAlthough I have yet to begin my teaching, I visualize using the Doctrinal Statement within the course policy documents. I see it as an example of behaviors that I need to adhere to during stressful times. I think the Doctrinal Statement could be adapted by those students who aspire to the Christian faith in their actions with one another.
OfflineI teach Bible and theology and Christian Worldview so the doctrinal statement is a critical component of what I do: namely, what are the core of our beliefs and how does that impact our understanding of the Scriptures and our view of the world
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The Doctrinal Statement contains parts from the Nicene Creed of the Orthodox Church, which we recite in original Hellenic and then English forms during our Divine Liturgy. Great statement to live by for sure.