Inspire, Spring 2004

W h a t ’ s t h e W o r d ? T he revision of the Bible minor for all Cedarville University graduates was, in essence, mandated by the University’s decision to convert to semesters. What was a 24 credit hour minor on the quarter system had to be revised to a 16 credit hour minor for the semester system. However, the semester change also facilitated changes that had always been a concern of the department. The University’s mission, “to offer an education consistent with biblical truth,” assumes the integration of truth with life and the formation of a Christian world/lifeview. In support of that, the department of biblical education is committed to “facilitating the development in every student of a biblically-based, theologically-sound, philosophically defensible, and life- transforming view of life under God.” The change to semesters came at a strategic time, allowing the department the incentive, the opportunity, and the framework to orient the minor more specifically to a Christian worldview formation and integration, i.e., to equip Cedarville graduates to think “Christianly” as well as critically. The minor continues to involve six academic terms. The courses taught on the freshman level are “Christian Life and Thought” and “Spiritual Formation;” on the sophomore level, “Old Testament Literature” and “New Testament Literature.” The final courses, taught on the junior level, are “Christian Worldview Development” and “Worldview Integration.” Christian Life and Thought The class is described as “a foundational course designed to introduce the student to a Christian worldview.” Students are introduced to major worldview issues Bible Minor Revision Nears Completion 16 Spring 2004 regarding value, reality, humanity, what’s wrong, and how we fix what’s wrong. Students consider doctrinal and theological issues that are crucial to a Christian worldview, but they have the opportunity to evaluate their position in comparison with and, obviously often in contrast to, the cultural answers to worldview questions. Spiritual Formation The second freshman level course involves “the nature and process of spiritual formation ... examined from a biblical perspective, with an emphasis upon the practice of spiritual disciplines.” The course emphasizes three major areas of study that contribute to one’s own spiritual development and give focus and direction for the formation of a Christian worldview. The first area considered is biblical spirituality. While contemporary ideas of spirituality abound, the Bible defines spirituality in terms of one’s personal relationship with the Holy Spirit (walking, being filled, etc.). However, while spirituality is a personal and individual decision, it cannot be divorced from the community of believers. The unity of the Spirit for the Christian congregation is a crucial consideration beyond one’s personal spiritual life and health. Central to the spiritual formation course and the healthy development of a Christian worldview is the study of Scripture. The major components of inductive Bible study, once addressed in a separate course, are now woven together with the spiritual walk and involvement in the Christian community and are now pursued in the context of the other spiritual disciplines, e.g., stewardship, prayer, ministry, fasting, etc. The course is designed to equip the students with a passion for their own spiritual development and for their own personal study of the Scriptures.