Concordia University’s Center for Faith & Business

 

We believe, teach, and confess historic, biblical Christianity, applying it in a modern

world. We are guided by the Great Commission of Christ Jesus.  Since the Great Commission

(Matthew 28:18-20) includes teaching everything Christ has commanded, we understand

this to encompass the entire teaching of Holy Scripture. The Bible is the source of our

theology. This statement is a brief summary of this biblical faith.

 

Salvation

 

We believe that the central and most essential teaching of Christianity is the doctrine of

justification. Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, became incarnate as a true

human being. By His holy life, innocent suffering and death and bodily resurrection, He

has reconciled the world to God. We believe that all who receive Him receive the benefits

that He has won for us by His work: namely the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, apart from

human works or merit (Ephesians 2:8-10).

 

The Triune God

 

We believe that Jesus Christ, along with the Holy Scriptures, reveals the nature of God to

us. We believe that there is only one God in three coeternal and coequal persons, the

Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

 

Holy Scripture

 

We believe that the Bible is inspired by God and is the only infallible source of doctrine,

life, and practice (2 Timothy 3:15-17). We believe that God’s Word reveals His holy Law

not so that we can save ourselves, but so that we see the need for our salvation in Jesus

Christ. We believe that God’s Word also reveals His Gospel – the good news that we are

forgiven for Christ’s sake.

 

Humanity

 

We believe that humanity was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). We also

believe that all humans, except for Jesus Christ, have fallen into sin from which they

cannot free themselves. All peoples, races, and both sexes are united in these truths.

Likewise, we believe that Jesus Christ has come to be the Savior of all. The Gospel

allows us to make no distinction in the value or significance of any person. “There is no

difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely

by His grace” (Romans 3:22-24).

 

The Means of Grace

 

We believe that God has promised to bless us as we use the means of grace in faith and

according to His institution. We believe that the Gospel is the power of God to salvation,

(Romans 1:17) that Baptism gives us His forgiveness and incorporates us into His family

(Romans 6:3-8), and that He feeds us with Christ’s body and blood for our forgiveness in

the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).

 

The Christian Life

 

We believe that the Christian life is a life of faith and a response of thanksgiving and

gratitude to God. The child of God seeks to grow in faith and in service to others. Yet

Christianity is not a matter of behavior but of faith. This faith results in changed

behavior, but is not defined by this response.

 

The Great Commission

 

We believe that Christ has commissioned His people to make disciples of all nations. We

believe that all Christians are called to share their faith with others (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

Vocation

 

We believe that God equips people with talents and abilities. Any occupation or interest

that is not opposed to God’s Word can be an act of service to Him. While God calls some

into vocations of ministry in the church, we believe that God is also pleased when His

people live out other vocations to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

Our relationship with other Christians

 

We believe that all Christians are part of the one true Church. We rejoice in the common

teachings that unite all believers in the truth of God’s Word even as we recognize the

existence and differences in various Christian groups and denominations.

 

Application of this Biblical Faith

 

Acceptance of this faith

 

This faith is proclaimed and lived at Concordia University. Full time faculty share this

confession and have declared their agreement with it. Our staff and adjunct faculty

promise that their work will be done in a manner that is consistent with this faith. Staff

and students come from a variety of theological traditions. They may share in this

confession or continue in their own profession of faith as we live and work together.

 

Engagement with the Bible

 

In our interactions with students and colleagues, we seek to apply this biblical faith along

with our academic and professional disciplines. In a variety of ways, our campus

community encounters God’s Word (for example, in chapel, Bible Studies, personal

interactions, and in the ministry of the campus pastor). We believe that the Holy Spirit

works through the Gospel to transform the hearts and lives of all who hear and believe its

message.

 

Acceptance is not forced

 

We believe that the Holy Spirit works faith through the Gospel. We maintain that this

response of faith cannot be coerced or legislated. Students are introduced to the content

and application of this faith, and are invited to hear and respond to the Gospel, but a

faith-response is not demanded of students. All are to be treated with respect and dignity.

 

“Secular” disciplines

 

We maintain that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding in a variety of academic

fields is a valid Christian vocation. It is legitimate for Christians to study and teach

subjects that are not directly concerned with the Holy Scriptures.

 

We maintain that serving God in the various vocations that He has given us means that

we will strive for excellence in all that we do.

 

We maintain that human knowledge has limits but God’s knowledge is limitless. This

may result in challenges and paradoxes in our understanding. Particularly in such times,

Christian scholars rely on the Word of God even as they work to understand their

discipline.

 

We maintain that it is legitimate to explore and learn about viewpoints, issues, and

expressions that are non-biblical and even antagonistic to biblical faith. Such exploration

is necessary if we want to comprehend this world, expand our knowledge, and understand

our own position. We believe that Christians should understand various viewpoints as

they really are and not distort them. At the same time, we believe that Christians should

articulate a response to challenges to the Gospel.

 

The two kingdoms

 

We believe that Christians are subject to God’s Word and also to secular authority. On

this basis, we maintain that our relationships on and off campus may be guided by the

Scriptures in some situations (for example, in chapel, Bible study, or spiritual counsel)

and by laws and regulations in other relationships (for example, in residence hall rules or

policies on alcohol use). As we are a community of human beings, we maintain that rules

and regulations of conduct are necessary for harmonious and orderly living together.

These rules, though necessary, are not to be equated with the Gospel. Compliance with

rules is not a sign that an individual is a Christian. Rather, these rules are applications of

God’s desire for order in our world.

 

Service

 

We believe that God calls His redeemed children to lives of love and service towards

others. We maintain that as we use our gifts and abilities in all aspects of our lives, that

we fulfill His call for us to be the light of the world.