Resources - Faculty - Integration of Faith & Learning

As part of the process of reappointment and tenure, Calvin College asks faculty members to reflect on the nature of their faith and scholarship. These are recent examples of faculty thinking on what it means to be a Christian scholar.

Though these statements may be useful for faculty members who are going through this process, it should be understood that these are not designated as models by the Professional Status Committee.

Note:

The IFL Statements were formerly posted by the Office of the Dean of the Chapel. That office is closing in June, 2008 and many of its functions have been transferred to the Office of Christian Formation. Many of our web pages in the areas of Faculty Events and Resources are still available for those who find their contents useful. Questions about the IFL Statements may now be directed to Paul Sytsema in the Provost's Office.

Communication Arts and Sciences

  • Collection of statements by Communication Arts and Sciences faculty
    maintained on the CAS web site:
    • Mark Fackler, On Integrating Faith & Communications Studies, written for re-appointment, 2000.
    • Debra Freeberg, A Statement of Integration of Faith & Learning, written for re-appointment with tenure, 1998.
    • Garth Pauley, Faith & Scholarship, written for re-appointment, 1999.
    • Stephanie Sandberg, Statement on the Integration of Faith & Learning, written for re-appointment with tenure, 2000.
    • Quentin Schultze, Teaching as a Holy Vocation, written upon receiving the Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching, February, 2000.
    • Helen Sterk, Faith & Scholarship, written for re-appointment, 1999.
    • Judy VanderWoude, Statement on the Integration of Faith & Learning, written for a post-tenure review, 2003.

Computer Science

  • Collection of statements by Computer Science faculty maintained on the Christianity and Computing web site:
    • Joel Adams, Why Christians Should Study Computer Science, Computing Technology: Created, Fallen, In Need of Redemption?, A Christian Perspective on Computing.
    • Harry Plantinga, Christianity and Computer Science.
    • Keith Vander Linden, Programming in the Image of God, written for re-appointment with tenure and published in Proceedings of the "Christian Scholarship ... for What?" Conference, Calvin College, 2001. Notes on Intelligent Machines was written as a sidebar article for S. Vander Leest, ed., in Being Faithful in a Digital World, an electronic book published by Calvin College.

Education

  • Jan Gormas (PDF File)
    Professor of Education, Integration of Faith & Learning, written for re-appointment with tenure, September, 2004.

Engineering

  • Gayle E. Ermer
    Associate Professor of Engineering, Reflections on Integrating Engineering into My Christian Life, written for re-appointment with tenure, September, 2002.
  • Matthew Kuperus Heun (PDF File)
    Associate Professor of Engineering, Commencement: A Faith and Learning Statement, written for re-appointment with tenure, September, 2004.
  • Steven H. VanderLeest
    Professor of Engineering, Making Room for Serendipity, written for re-appointment with tenure, September, 1999.

English

  • Susan Felch
    Professor of English, A Faith-Shaped Approach to English Studies, written for re-appointment with tenure, 1998.

Germanic and Asian Languages

  • David I. Smith (PDF File)
    Director, Institute for Christian Teaching; Associate Professor, Germanic & Asian Languages and Literature, The Integration of Faith and Learning, September, 2004

Music

  • Bert Polman (link to CICW website)
    Professor and Chair of Music, Senior Research Fellow at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, A Christian Testimony on Music and Art, a personal creedal statement shared with students and used in conjunction with re-appointment, 2003.

Physics and Astronomy

  • Deborah Haarsma (PDF File)
    Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy, Statement on Integration of Faith & Learning, written for re-appointment with tenure, Fall, 2005.
  • Loren Haarsma
    Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy, Speaking the Truth in Love, written for 5th year, second re-appointment, September 2003; Zeal with Knowledge, written for 3rd year, first re-appointment, September 2001.
  • Paul Harper (PDF File)
    Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy, Faith, Science, and Biophysics: 'all for One and One for all,' written for re-appointment with tenure, October, 2004.