ENGINEERING
People often think of engineering as
an objective, fact-based discipline with
unchanging principals. They believe
solutions found in engineering textbooks
primarily concern truth and facts, and the
profession is distanced from tricky moral
dilemmas, as long as engineers have a
sound ethical foundation.
Engineering work is rarely one-
dimensional, however, and subjective
issues often preclude finding an answer
“in the back of the textbook.” Not only
does the engineer’s device or system have
to function, but real-world solutions have
to account for deadlines, development and
production costs, manpower and resource
limitations, company politics, and market
dynamics. In addition to book knowledge,
Christian engineers also need a surprising
measure of faith on the job.
There’s also the matter of skill. “Do
you see someone skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings; they will not
serve before officials of low rank” (Prov.
22:29). Just as Christian character and
faith are fundamental in the daily business
of engineering, so are solid engineering
skills; without them the men and women
in our program simply cannot work at the
most advanced levels. God may override
ignorance on occasion with a f lash of
insight, but generally inspiration comes
in the context of diligence, foundational
skills, and practical experience. To do work
that makes a difference in the world, some
doors are only open to engineers who excel
at their craft.
Throughout our program, and
particularly during senior design projects,
Cedarville’s engineering faculty helps
students gain experience and stretch their
faith to accomplish new things. This year,
for example, mechanical engineering
students on the Solar Boat Team are
developing and assembling a fantastic
electric motor for a high-speed sprint
race. God has provided exceptional design
assistance and motor components from a
world-class manufacturer of RC model
motors. Developing the specifications,
praying through the long-distance
correspondence and design process, and
branching out far beyond their course of
study, the students will end up building a
motor that exists nowhere else on earth.
Teaching students to tackle engineering
challenges with a practical approach of
knowledge, skill, and faith is a unique
combination at which Cedarville excels.
Gerald Brown, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering
HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT
A proper understanding of Scripture
dramatically impacts the study of history
and government. The Bible clearly teaches
that God spoke man into existence. If man
were the product of evolutionary chance, it
would be difficult to consider his presence
as anything other than a quirk of fate.
Instead, the fact that God purposefully
created man endowed him with meaning.
As such, the study of man and his actions
through time (i.e., history) has purpose.
God used history as a didactic tool in
much of Scripture, providing a model for
us and suggesting that we have much to
gain by studying the past.
When it comes to the study of
government, Scripture again provides
the essential foundation. The Bible teaches
that God ordained government to be His
minister for good, to execute justice, and to
provide protection for its people. With that
foundation, we Christians have a rather
distinctive standard from which to assess
what is good and proper government.
In studying the tumultuous years
following America’s Civil War, I have
my students read Herman Melville, who
argued that the Northern government
should be lenient on the seceded South,
because Scripture calls for loving our
enemies and forgiving those who have
wronged us. Melville is certainly correct
that Scripture teaches these important
principles. A proper approach to Scripture,
however, notes that these imperatives are
commanded of Christians in the context
of how to respond to those who treat them
poorly, especially for their faith, and in
the context of how to respond to fellow
believers who offend them (Matt. 5:44,
Luke 17:3–4). But can these commands
be applied to government?
Given the teaching of Scripture, it
would appear they cannot. Government
bears the “sword” for a reason — to
execute justice (Rom. 13:4). Governments
cannot give love or forgiveness. If we
take Scripture seriously and properly,
we recognize that Melville’s assertion
was based on a shallow understanding
of Scripture. God communicated to us
extensively and has preserved His Word
through the centuries for our benefit.
In the Department of History and
Government, we believe it is imperative to
bring a proper understanding of Scripture
to the process of integration in each of the
fields we teach.
Thomas Mach, Ph.D.
Chair, Professor of History
Cedarville Magazine
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