On a recent family excursion to the Italian countryside, Grove City’s President Paul McNulty came across a lone sunflower standing some hundred yards away from its fellow yellow blossoms in the field behind. Upon seeing this rare floral arrangement, he couldn’t help but think of the Grove City College student—who is equipped with integrity and conviction to freely pursue his or her calling and boldly stand for Truth, even if that means standing alone.
At Grove City College, faith and freedom form the foundation of what we are about. But how do these two core values work together as we prepare students to make an eternal impact in whatever sphere God calls them to?
Because the founders of Grove City College a) valued the individual as an image-bearer of God with unique abilities and talents, b) saw education as a cornerstone of individual and national prosperity, and c) believed that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, they established our institution upon God’s truth.
Even today, in the face of a secular and relativistic culture, Grove City stays faithful to its longstanding mission by maintaining financial independence, promoting freedom of conscience in learning and living, and empowering students to reach their God-given potential while shaping their Christian worldview.
When it came to upholding our mission years ago, J. Howard Pew, (influential entrepreneur, engineer, philanthropist, Grove City College graduate and Chairman of the Board from 1931-1971), believed that personal liberty was intricately tied to Christianity. He also affirmed that “the security and destiny of America rest on sound education which, to him, meant instilling profound religious feeling, inspiring true and worthy motives, and inculcating morality under all circumstances.”1
In a 1984 address, an even more well-known historical figure, Ronald Reagan, tipped his hat to the Founding Fathers—who “understood that there is a divine order that transcends the human order,” and who “saw the state, in fact, as a form of moral order and felt that the bedrock of moral order is religion.”2 This was certainly true from the beginning, as evident in George Washington’s claim that, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”3
To reach our full potential and to glorify God in whatever we do, faith must not be confined to the sanctuary. Rather, it should inform every aspect of life and animate our desire to consciously and passionately pursue His revealed calling and serve others well, wherever He leads us in building His Kingdom—to the boardroom, hospital, recording studio, robotics lab, or mission field.
As Total Truth author Nancy Pearcey says, “Having a Christian worldview means being utterly convinced that biblical principles are not only true but also work better in the grit and grime of the real world.”4
Are you ready to take on the real world? Consider coming to Grove City College—where faith and freedom matter, and where Christ’s word is upheld as the truth that sets you free from sin, and free to become who He’s calling you to be.
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” I Peter 2:16
Sources:
1 Sennholz, M. (Ed.). (1975). Faith and freedom: A biographical sketch of a great American John Howard Pew. Grove City, PA: Grove City College.
2 Religious Freedom Coalition. (2013). Ronald Reagan reminds us of importance of religion in America. Retrieved from http://www.religiousfreedomcoalition.org/2013/09/02/ronald-reagan-reminds-us-of-importance-of-religion-in-america/
3 Smith, G. S., & Kemeny, P. C. (Eds.). (2012). Confronting life’s challenges: Worldviews, societal perspectives, and ethical issues. Grove City, PA: Grove City College.
4 Pearcey, N. (2005). Total truth: Liberating christianity from its cultural captivity. Crossway Books.