Retroactively Futuristic
Looking to the Past for our Future
We are not called to be a 21st century church. We are called to be a 1st century church in a 21st century world. This is the guiding principle of The College at Southwestern from its inception just one year ago. Believing in the sufficiency of the Scripture, we look to the Bible to answer the vital questions in life. But this does not mean we should remain ignorant to those who have most influenced our culture for the past three millennia and more. For us to engage the culture in which we live, we must be able to converse with those around us in the realm of ideas and worldviews. Indeed, we believe each student is called to be an apologist and an evangelist. It is our hope to instill the following essential principles to the students God gives us:
- A passion for the Scripture. The curriculum includes an intensive study of Old Testament, New Testament, and Systematic Theology.
- A passion for the lost. Each student must go on an international mission trip in order to graduate from The College at Southwestern. Furthermore, each student is required to evangelize locally in order to graduate.
- A passion for the local church. The College at Southwestern exists to serve the local churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. Students are required to be involved in their local churches while attending the college.
- A passion for Baptists. Students are obliged to take a Baptist History course which teaches them what it is to be a New Testament church. Though we should never be prideful in being Baptist, we should always be thankful in being Baptist.
- A passion for knowledge and wisdom. Recognizing the impact of those in the past, our curriculum compels students to familiarize themselves with influential thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Darwin, and Freud. They are also instructed on how to engage ideas found within these texts and respond with a thoroughly biblical worldview.
- A passion for Christian thought. Students also read such greats as Athanasius, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Hubmaier, and Lewis. They come to understand quickly that we stand on the shoulders of giants.
- A passion for life. The College is foundational training ground not only for ministry but for life. It is our hope that the graduate will leave our campus far more on fire for Christ than when he/she came.
We count it a privilege that you would consider The College at Southwestern. We pray God’s richest blessings as you consider this important step in life.
Truth is Immortal,
Emir Caner,
Dean, The College at Southwestern