THEOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS
Greenville University is a Christian university of the liberal arts and sciences founded by the Free Methodist Church.
As a Free Methodist founded school, we embrace orthodoxy and celebrate the diverse traditions of the church worldwide. We integrate faith and learning in the classroom and campus community to help students learn the difference that Christ makes in every arena of life. As an academic community of faith, we strive to help students understand the ways in which all truth is God’s truth, wherever it may be found. This means that we are fearless in our exploration of God and God’s creation. We regard Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience as sources of authority in our inquiry and discovery of truth, with Scripture as the primary authority. In this spirit, we affirm the Apostles’ Creed and the historic teachings of Christianity on the Trinity, the full humanity and full divinity of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and the gift of everlasting life.
We actively witness to the gospel. Our commitment to character formation and service aligns with the Free Methodist Church’s commitment to peace and justice, equality of all persons, simplicity of life, and commitment to those who experience material poverty.
While our mission is distinct from that of the church, our academic community of faith supports the mission of Christ’s church in an academic context. We lovingly serve all members of our community and beyond in a manner consistent with the doctrine and distinctives of the Free Methodist Church. Loving God with our heads, hearts, and hands is integral to our flourishing as disciples of Jesus Christ. For those who have not yet become followers of Jesus, we seek to learn and live in ways that draw them near to God.
We strive for humility in our theological thinking. We acknowledge that our perspectives and understanding are limited and incomplete. Our love for God and neighbor is the essence of our discipleship. Enlivened by God’s love for us, we value and cherish every member of our community. We are captivated in wonder at God’s creative activity in the world, the saving work of Jesus, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.