About CU
Keeping Christian Education Christian
by Dr. Rex M. Rogers, president of Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University trustees, faculty, and staff are committed to "Keeping Christian Higher Education Christian." That's why we take time again at the beginning of each academic year to reflect together upon the history of Christian higher education, the unenviable record of many formerly Christian institutions that no longer embrace biblical Christianity, and the continuing progress and potential of this university.
Two questions have guided our discussion: first, what has historically caused Christian institutions of higher learning to lose their Christian character and mission? Our answers are listed below as "DeChristianized Colleges."
Second, how can we avoid this outcome; or how is it possible to grow simultaneously in academic quality, enrollment, and biblical spiritual authenticity and effectiveness? We answered with what we consider our essential characteristics or defining attributes. These institutional "non-negotiables" will never change, and thus they form our "Plumbline Principles," capable of keeping our Christian higher education Christian.
As you read, we encourage you to pray with us that God will keep His hand upon us.
"DeChristianized" Colleges - How did they lose their faith?
Most colleges east of the Mississippi River were established by denominations, began with a dynamic church affiliation or had a Christ-centered foundation. One example is Harvard University, which opened in 1636. The school was named for its first benefactor, John Harvard of Charlestown, Mass., a young minister who, upon his death in 1638, left his library and half his estate to the new institution. Over time a great many institutions like this one have let go of their original biblical moorings. What happened to them?
Cornerstone University trustees, faculty, and staff are committed to "Keeping Christian Higher Education Christian." That's why we take time again at the beginning of each academic year to reflect together upon the history of Christian higher education, the unenviable record of many formerly Christian institutions that no longer embrace biblical Christianity, and the continuing progress and potential of this university.
Two questions have guided our discussion: first, what has historically caused Christian institutions of higher learning to lose their Christian character and mission? Our answers are listed below as "DeChristianized Colleges."
Second, how can we avoid this outcome; or how is it possible to grow simultaneously in academic quality, enrollment, and biblical spiritual authenticity and effectiveness? We answered with what we consider our essential characteristics or defining attributes. These institutional "non-negotiables" will never change, and thus they form our "Plumbline Principles," capable of keeping our Christian higher education Christian.
As you read, we encourage you to pray with us that God will keep His hand upon us.
"DeChristianized" Colleges - How did they lose their faith?
Most colleges east of the Mississippi River were established by denominations, began with a dynamic church affiliation or had a Christ-centered foundation. One example is Harvard University, which opened in 1636. The school was named for its first benefactor, John Harvard of Charlestown, Mass., a young minister who, upon his death in 1638, left his library and half his estate to the new institution. Over time a great many institutions like this one have let go of their original biblical moorings. What happened to them?
Heresy – Theological ambiguity, a diluting or weakening of commitment to biblically sound doctrine, or teaching doctrine contrary to the Word of God.
Hypocrisy – Orthodoxy without obedience, truth without application, cultural Christianity, "churchianity."
Apostasy – Secularization, infidelity, a falling away from the faith.
Anti-intellectualism – On the one hand, an unbiblical fear of knowledge and reason.
Hypocrisy – Orthodoxy without obedience, truth without application, cultural Christianity, "churchianity."
Apostasy – Secularization, infidelity, a falling away from the faith.
Anti-intellectualism – On the one hand, an unbiblical fear of knowledge and reason.
Intellectual Hubris – On the other hand, an unbiblical academic arrogance.
Denominational Politics – Sectarianism, an elevation of denominational concerns over concerns for academic needs and Christian principles and virtues.
Personality Cults – Academic institutions debilitated, even destroyed, by individual egos.
Professionalism Without Piety – Allowing a secularized vision for "quality" to displace a biblical idea of excellence as unto the Lord, a gradual divorce of work and worship.
Donor Leverage – Available dollars, particularly those offered by people with non-Christian values and goals, are permitted to determine institutional direction rather than its mission determining direction.
Non-Christian Personnel – Appointing people to the board, faculty, or staff who do not hold a heartfelt commitment to Christ and biblical Christianity.
Cornerstone University's Plumbline Principles - Who are we?
Biblically Christian – An educational ministry committed to the principles of biblical Christianity, nothing more, and nothing less.
Theologically Conservative – A belief that the Bible is the Word of God in its entirety – inspired, infallible, and inerrant.
Christian Worldview – A Christian philosophy of life and learning forming the basis of the university's approach to the world, history, and culture.
Intentional Spiritual Formation – A vigorous student spiritual formation program encouraging students to develop their understanding of the biblical faith and their desire to serve God.
Committed Christian Personnel – We want to attract, retain, and develop personnel who are Christians of character, credentials, competence, commitment, and creativity. We want people who look upon and perform their calling with the highest possible professional standards. We expect a Biblical work ethic, and we believe that our people's talent is God's greatest blessing upon Cornerstone University.
Quality – We believe that we serve a holy and perfect Creator God Who expects quality as our reasonable service unto Him. We therefore work to create quality in everything we do.
Stewardship – We wish to administer resources, financial, human and physical, with the clearest expression of integrity, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness. We believe that our decisions are a sacred trust before God, our students and parents, our personnel, our friends, and the public.
Higher Education – In the university we work to challenge, stimulate, stretch, inform and motivate our students to serve. We consider teaching and learning a two-way street, with professors and students responsible for their academic work as a form of worship unto God.
Leadership – Christian leadership is not an option but an opportunity. Leaders with character can provide godly direction in a declining culture with no moral vision for its future.
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