Westmont Magazine Letter from the President
President Beebe welcomes new students for fall orientation
A high view of Scripture animates Westmont’s commitment to a robust Christian faith and belief that life-changing capacities result from an encounter with God and a winsome hope and confidence in a life beyond this life. The streams of thought that inform this outlook include biblical studies, philosophy, historical theology and philosophy of religion. These interacting areas of study allow us to consider the nature of faith, the right use of reason, the problem of evil and suffering, and how we ask and answer life’s greatest questions. For Westmont, as we continue to step forward, these intersecting realities come to a focal point in the life and teachings of Jesus and form the foundation that shapes our own Christian identity.
Everyone needs a fixed point by which to approach life. For the Christian, the life and teachings of Jesus and the efforts we expend to understand them form the most compelling starting point for navigating life’s journey. As people committed to a life with God, we believe this process unfolds over time. Our educational enterprise plays a key role as we deepen our knowledge of God at the same time we broaden our outlook and understanding of all that life offers. In this way, people animated by faith and motivated by their intellect weave together a sacred mosaic of deeply held commitments that bring meaning and purpose to all we do.
But how do we gain knowledge of God that can guide and sustain us in this way? Augustine, Luther and Calvin emphasize the importance and primacy of Scripture. Thomas Aquinas emphasizes the right use of reason and the importance of sound doctrine. Blaise Pascal, the 17th century philosopher and mathematician, elevates the role of reason by stating, “...if we submit everything to reason, our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural. If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous.” Ignatius, John Wesley, and later 19th and 20th century thinkers highlight the importance of an integrated approach to theological thinking that makes room for religious experiences by showing how they align with Scripture and the light of reason. All this intellectual and spiritual inquiry occurs in the life and context of the great faith communities of the church. These dynamic thinkers fortify the relevance of these testimonies as they articulate their understanding of Jesus’ person and work throughout history.
The late 20th century classic work by Jaroslav Pelikan, “Jesus Through the Centuries,” captures one of the most remarkable and beautiful expressions of this understanding. Pelikan creates a kaleidoscope of insight into the life of Jesus by identifying several key understandings that reflect how Christians have understood Jesus across time. Each example reminds us of the role great thinkers in the history of the church play in making the life and teachings of Jesus relevant to each age, preserving what is timeless while offering fresh insight into what is time-bound.
