Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The University of Dubuque and The Presbyterian Tradition
The University of Dubuque and The Presbyterian Tradition
The University of Dubuque was founded by Adrian Van Vliet, a Reformed pastor, in 1852. It soon became affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and remains a Christian institution committed to the Presbyterian tradition. Presbyterians are members of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. More specifically, they are part of the Reformed tradition, which looks for guidance especially to the thought of sixteenth-century Genevan reformer John Calvin.
The Reformed tradition emphasizes the sovereignty of the one GodFather, Son, and Holy Spirit. Inasmuch as God is Lord of heaven and earth, no realm of life falls outside of God's providence. We are called in the Scriptures to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; we are called to live holy, simple, disciplined lives that reflect the peace, joy, and devotion of the children of God. At the University of Dubuque, therefore, students are encouraged to pursue their callingsas God's children and Christ's disciplesthrough careful study, grateful worship, and joyful play in order to glorify God. In every classroom questions of faith and righteous living will be pursued and in every co-curricular event love of God and neighbor will be nurtured. The university affirms that the gift of life is given for service to others in grateful devotion to God.
Reformed Christians have always stressed the importance of a life lived in covenant community. The university understands that all members of the university communitystudents, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni/ae, friends, and administratorsare bound to God and each other in a common Christian mission. Even so, the Reformed tradition recognizes that God's work is not limited to the sphere of the church. As such, while a majority of the faculty, staff, and administration will be committed Christians, the university welcomes and encourages the contributions of others eager to pursue the truth in love. In our life together, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the University of Dubuque seeks to bless others as God has blessed us.
January 7, 2005
The University of Dubuque was founded by Adrian Van Vliet, a Reformed pastor, in 1852. It soon became affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and remains a Christian institution committed to the Presbyterian tradition. Presbyterians are members of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. More specifically, they are part of the Reformed tradition, which looks for guidance especially to the thought of sixteenth-century Genevan reformer John Calvin.
The Reformed tradition emphasizes the sovereignty of the one GodFather, Son, and Holy Spirit. Inasmuch as God is Lord of heaven and earth, no realm of life falls outside of God's providence. We are called in the Scriptures to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; we are called to live holy, simple, disciplined lives that reflect the peace, joy, and devotion of the children of God. At the University of Dubuque, therefore, students are encouraged to pursue their callingsas God's children and Christ's disciplesthrough careful study, grateful worship, and joyful play in order to glorify God. In every classroom questions of faith and righteous living will be pursued and in every co-curricular event love of God and neighbor will be nurtured. The university affirms that the gift of life is given for service to others in grateful devotion to God.
Reformed Christians have always stressed the importance of a life lived in covenant community. The university understands that all members of the university communitystudents, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni/ae, friends, and administratorsare bound to God and each other in a common Christian mission. Even so, the Reformed tradition recognizes that God's work is not limited to the sphere of the church. As such, while a majority of the faculty, staff, and administration will be committed Christians, the university welcomes and encourages the contributions of others eager to pursue the truth in love. In our life together, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the University of Dubuque seeks to bless others as God has blessed us.
January 7, 2005