Torch, Summer 2004

Summer 2004 / TORCH 9 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 world- view issues regarding value, reality, humanity, what’s wrong, and how we fix what’s wrong. Then biblical answers are provided throughout the semester as the professor works through the major areas of systematic theology. The Bible thus provides the basis for a Christian worldview. 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. Thus the Scriptures inform one’s worldview but also serve to transform the individual through the renewing of the mind. Spiritual formation is a dynamic process that lasts a lifetime. The course equips students for the journey. Old Testament Literature and New Testament Literature The literature courses are the two that continue to resemble the Bible minor that has been an integral part of the degree requirements at Cedarville. The courses are taught with a concern for students’ grasp of the metanarrative of Scripture, the chronology of events within the framework of progressive revelation, the Messianic emphasis of both testaments, and the Bible Minor Revised r e Bible Minor Revis d o R