The School of Humanities and International Studies is a core course of the University of the Nations, and provides students with the opportunity to gain the intellectual and practical tools necessary to meet the challenges of the contemporary world. Central to the curriculum of the School is Paul's injunction in Philippians 4:8 to meditate on whatever is true, honorable, just, sacred, lovely, and of good report. These values can be laid alongside the traditional categories of the humanities: philosophy, social sciences, political science, church history, the fine arts, music, literature and history. They can be held as a plumb line to any society to provide a means for understanding and assessment, and as an impetus for change.
Any area of study that deals with the interaction between an infinite holy God and finite sinful human beings, will be full of difficult questions, moral dilemmas, and challenges to our long-held traditional beliefs. In an atmosphere of prayerful inquiry, of listening to GodÕs voice, and researching and discussing with others, the questions can be refined and brought before God for new insights and revelation. This is a course where knowledge grows into wisdom.
If you leave this course full of ideas but not committed to action, the course has failed in its purpose. Learning is good for its own sake, but when God is in it, there is almost always an application in real life right now. This course is about bringing changes in personal values, lifestyle and ministry. It is about bringing justice where there is none, working for healthy change in government, law and politics, finding ways to benefit others with advances in science, and bringing beauty into every area of life and to every place you go.
The Challenge
How do we know what we know about life, about the future, and about God? For a few years, Jesus honored this world with His presence, choosing to live, to work, and to give His life here on earth, and to make a way for us to the Father. But all through time, God has been speaking and acting in the lives of human beings, leaving His fingerprint everywhere. And we can see Him unmistakably, if we JUST look! The history of humankind carries clear messages about God, His nature, His power and His dealings with human beings. In this twelve-week course, an in-depth look at language, customs and history in the cultures of the world brings amazing insights into how God works in this world. He has always been there, not watching from the outside but deeply engaged in bringing truth to us through every culture.Any area of study that deals with the interaction between an infinite holy God and finite sinful human beings, will be full of difficult questions, moral dilemmas, and challenges to our long-held traditional beliefs. In an atmosphere of prayerful inquiry, of listening to GodÕs voice, and researching and discussing with others, the questions can be refined and brought before God for new insights and revelation. This is a course where knowledge grows into wisdom.
If you leave this course full of ideas but not committed to action, the course has failed in its purpose. Learning is good for its own sake, but when God is in it, there is almost always an application in real life right now. This course is about bringing changes in personal values, lifestyle and ministry. It is about bringing justice where there is none, working for healthy change in government, law and politics, finding ways to benefit others with advances in science, and bringing beauty into every area of life and to every place you go.
