Perspective - Christian Perspective

Calvin is a Christian College.

... in the Reformed/Calvinistic tradition,
...combinining theory and practice into integrated and focused programs.

Calvin's Christian commitment is one of active engagement with culture and society. Its theology is both covenental and creedal, emphasizing the sovereign role of God in human affairs and the trustworthiness of God's promises as revealed in creation, in scripture and in the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Reformed tradition in American Protestantism is one that values the life of the mind and demands that its believers be active in the redemption of all aspects of life and society. The Christian responds in gratitude to the redemptive work of Christ in atoning for the sin of the human race and providing the way for the return to God. Nothing is off limits for the working of salt and light. Christians are to be examples of excellence in both their personal and professional lives, ethical in meeting their obligations--both public and private. They are to demonstrate Christlike humility in servant relationships with others, obedience to God's commands and a spirit of generosity to those who suffer from sickness, poverty, hunger, abandonment or grief. They are to seek justice and promote mercy.

Reformed theologian and political leader Abraham Kuyper demanded that Christians not rest until every square inch of the creation should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. Calvin College thus expects that its faculty, staff and students will be actively engaged in the reclamation of creation through demonstrating the demands of Christian faith in the arts, humanities, sciences, and professions. To that end all classes taught at Calvin are to articulate the vision of the faith for their home discipline. Faculty are to demonstrate the integration of faith and teaching, and students the integration of faith and learning, in all their activities--in the classroom, in advisement and mentoring, and in all other daily activities.

Graduate study in the United States is largely discipline-based. While Calvin's graduate programs take account of the disciplines, they are designed more directly to have impact in community, to engage the communities of discourse that define relationships, commitments and the strategies for achieving excellence within defined constituencies or geographic areas. Calvin also works very hard to be student-focused in its graduate education. Students are expected to engage their local community and through their work and research to bring new solutions or possibilities into their professional activities and institutions. Student work is part of the graduate program's efforts to define a distinctive Reformed philosophy of graduate education.