Our Educational Philosophy

Bethel University is an evangelical Christian university affiliated with the Missionary Church. The university affirms its commitment to provide liberating programs, while holding to its Christian responsibility to be a witness and participant in the contemporary world. As a Christian university, we accept the person of Jesus Christ and His Gospel as normative for the values we seek to understand, live and communicate.

To these ends, and consistent with our mission to challenge the mind, enlarge the vision and equip the whole person for lifelong service, we desire that each Bethel graduate should:

Challenge their mind through:
1. An awareness of the accumulating body of knowledge as an incentive for study and research;
2. The ability to think analytically and critically, to appreciate the thinking and culture of others, and to communicate effectively and creatively;
3. Competence through acquired understanding and skills considered fundamental to certain professions or areas of specialization.
Enlarge their vision by:
1. A heart of compassion for people from differing religious, racial, ethnic and economic contexts while recognizing our world citizenship;
2. An appreciation of God's creation and of humanity's cultural achievements in the arts and sciences as an outgrowth of increased understanding;
Be equipped as a whole person by:
1. Social and civic attitudes which lead to responsible participation in human relationships and stewardship of the created order;
2. An understanding of the factors in the physical, mental and spiritual development of one's own personal growth;

We propose to accomplish this mission by: (Letters correspond to categories above)

Creating quality teaching-learning experiences which consist of studies in common areas of learning, together with studies which develop knowledge and skill in one or more particular curricula; (A)
Fostering a spirit of scholarship, inquiry and independent study which provides stimulus and a foundation for a life of learning; (A)
Offering experiences beyond the classroom which contribute to the development of the broadly educated individual and the competent professional; (B)
Encouraging all members within the university community to develop personal relationships that foster and sustain growth in spiritual, intellectual, physical and social dimensions, as well as in professional competence; (C)
Striving to prepare students to serve the Church, the community and the society at large; (C)
Challenging everyone within the Bethel University community to pursue a life of total Christian commitment. (A,B,C)