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WHAT'S IN A NAME...
WHY REFORMED?
The word "reformed" simply means that we hold to
a historic and Protestant understanding of Christianity.
Though many today would claim that truth is relative or unknowable,
we believe that Christianity stands upon very clear and specific
truth claims. Jesus Himself said that we must believe who
he claimed to be and hold to his teachings. Our ministry is
set up in such a way that students are given opportunities
to wrestle with the truth (through the Bible-God's word),
and to see that the gospel speaks to every need and every
area of life. Through exposure to truth, we hope that many
will come to know the One who is truth, Jesus Christ.
Also, we believe that Christianity is not just a moral system.
It has a moral system, but that is not what it is. We believe
that Christianity is not intended to make us better people;
the gospel makes us new people. It brings new life for those
who are dead in sin, and brings hope for the hopeless. We
believe that those who come to see that Jesus is the truth
will also see that He is life.
WHY THE UNIVERSITY?
Jesus said, "I am making all things new!" RUF was
born out of a desire not to abandon the campus, nor to be
lost in it. It is the dream of RUF to be a ministry "for
our campus", not for ourselves. This hope is founded
in the belief that the gospel can change any person and any
place.
Our leading question is not "what kind of ministry can
we be?" but rather "what kind of university can
this be?" Our dream is to see "the Loveliest Village"
(both her people and institutions) transformed by the power
and beauty of the presence of Christ.
WHY FELLOWSHIP?
The Christian faith is not something that can be lived out
alone. The Christian is called to live within a very special
community- the Church. We taste the life of heaven together.
We face our struggles together. RUF is committed to building
up and inviting people into this unique and loving community.
But, we know that the glory of the church is not her people.
Her glory is her Redeemer, Christ the Lord! Because Christ
loved the church, and gave himself up for her, we are then
delighted to gather under her care. We know that it is here
that God is at work, gathering His people, and strengthening
them for the work of His kingdom.
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