Fundamental Assumptions of the SWU Science Division
1) The existence of the natural world, and our ability to understand it, is a reflection of God's goodness. Understanding may include mathematical or computer modeling.
2) The universe, or natural world, is comprehensible, predictable, and, in principle, explicable in simple terms.
3) Science and technology are amoral--neither good nor bad--but they may be used for either good or evil.
4) Refereed communications about science and technology, presenting experimental results, are generally trustworthy, but their trustworthiness can be tested.
These were adopted by the faculty of the Division, with specialties in biological and physical sciences, computing and mathematics, at a workshop held on August 15th, 2000.
How do these differ from a non-Christian university's view? Only in the first assumption, but this one difference is fundamental. There are scientists, mathematicians, and computer specialists who believe that the natural world is exactly, and only, that--natural. To them, there is no God, and existence does not bear witness of His goodness. We disagree with them.
In addition to these assumptions, we strive to be Christ-like--act in a Christian manner toward our students and colleagues--we try to exhibit Christ's unselfish love.
It is certainly possible to attend a non-Christian institution and come away a Christian--all of those on the SWU science faculty have done that, at least in graduate school. It is also possible to attend SWU and come away a non-Christian--unfortunately, there are those who have. But we believe that a Christian world view is important, and that, for many students, it is a good idea to receive a science education in a Christian environment.
Possible Assumptions of a Christian World View
1. God is a personal-social-moral-rational "being," who is eternal, transcendent, and holy.
2. God created humankind in His image and the universe as an environment for human beings' sphere of activity. The role of humankind is one of stewardship.
3. Personhood must be viewed as a unity, man is a holistic being. His essence is not just animal, nor a pure spirit, temporarily residing within a physical body.
4. Basic moral principles flow from the kind of beings that we are. Moral laws have validity because human beings are made to act in certain ways and be treated in certain ways.
5. The cosmos is an orderly and intelligible system. Natural laws are built into the system, and it is God's plan rarely to violate them. The natural order provides a kind of theater for human activity, and makes possible many creaturely goods (e.g., beauty, pleasure, etc.).
6. The meaning of human life is found in right relationship to God and to our fellow creatures. The fallen state of humankind has made necessary God's great plan of salvation, which includes the incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth, the atonement of sin through suffering and death, and the hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead.
7. The Bible is God's revelation to humanity; its purpose is to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteous living so that we may become people of God prepared for a life of service. Scripture speaks to the totality of life--vital to everything in our life and world--no compartments labeled "sacred" or "secular."
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