Philosophy

The Andrews University motto is “Seek Knowledge.  Affirm Faith.  Change the World.  Our Statement of Mission mandates that a key ingredient in the educational enterprise at Andrews be challenging students to “explore the arts, letters, and sciences within the context of a Christian point of view.”  As a Seventh-day Adventist, liberal-arts institution, Andrews seeks to instruct students both theologically and in various facets of human knowledge.  At the collegiate level of education not only are these two components to be compared side-by-side, but the dialog between them must be explored.  Each faculty member at Andrews has the scholarly task of weaving the integral relationships which exist between the Adventist faith and human understanding as expressed within their own discipline and to seek coherence between the two.

Ellen G. White expressed the value of integrating faith and learning in her 1903 book titled Education in the following words:

In a knowledge of God all true knowledge and real development have their source. Wherever we turn, in the physical, the mental, or the spiritual realm; in whatever we behold, apart from the blight of sin, this knowledge is revealed. Whatever line of investigation we pursue, with a sincere purpose to arrive at truth, we are brought in touch with the unseen, mighty Intelligence that is working in and through all. The mind of man is brought into communion with the mind of God, the finite with the Infinite. The effect of such communion on body and mind and soul is beyond estimate. {Ed 14.2}

Faith and scholarly ideas are most meaningfully integrated when the student’s worldview informs the intellectual activity and learning enriches the world-view.   A world-view is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or group.  World-view enables one to interpret the world and address such questions as what is the nature and of the Universe, what is the nature and purpose of human beings, why is the human condition what it is, how can the human condition be improved, how can we reliably know anything, what is the ultimate destiny for mankind?  The Seventh-day Adventist world-view is particularly rich in stressing relationship with God and powerful in explanatory power.  Both biblical theology and knowledge from a given discipline inform one’s world-view.  At the highest level of reality, these agree since all truth is God’s truth.  Recognizing that for now, “we see through a glass darkly,” both agreement and tension are uncovered.  Andrews University professors will aid students in the integration process recognizing that we only start students down this road and that it is a life-long effort.
The integration process goes beyond exemplary Christian living by Andrews University faculty members.  It is not just the introduction of analogies or object lessons.  It does not consist in supplimentary information that is cosmetically applied to a course.  It is not indoctrination or apologetics.  It is not completed when a student leaves Andrews University (and this makes assessments challenging).  Rather, it stresses the dialogue that exists between faith and the given discipline.  How is knowledge acquired within the two understandings?  How do we come to understand the one in the light of the other?

The Center for College Faith recognizes that though faculty have been prepared at the highest levels in their respective fields, they may still