Biola UniversityThe Office for the Integration of Faith and Learning was established in 2009 in order to assist university-wide efforts in the integration of faith and learning.
We seek to practice theological integration, which is:
1. Authentically biblical — We affirm the uniqueness and authority of Scripture. The Bible is not just one book among many, it is the Word of God.
2. Authentically bi-directional — We seek truth wherever it may be found. Sound interpretation of God's Word and careful study of God's world are both essential to a full understanding of the created order.
3. Positive, not merely critical — For all of the fallenness of the world, creation is still good, and we need to use it for its God-intended purposes. We seek to redeem dysfunctional aspects of human life and culture, not simply shun them.
4. Critical, not merely positive — The reality of the fall, the pervasiveness of sin combine to clothe the goodness of creation in the agony and futility of sin. We must engage culture with a critical eye not a tacit acceptance.
5. Synthetic, not merely analytical — Much of modern knowledge has grown by ever finer analysis of the created order. Though this may be the only way for human beings to acquire such knowledge—it come at the price of reductionism and dis-integrated fields of knowledge. The integration of faith and learning is built on a desire to understand the world as a symphonic whole, allowing the diversity of the created order to be united under the purpose of glorifying God the Creator.
