By Brian Lugioyo, Dean of the School of Theology and Seattle Pacific Seminary
The Wesleyan vision for Christian education is epitomized in Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Come, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” which he wrote as a prayer for the students at the dedication for the Kingswood School in Bath Somerset, England, in 1748.
The second verse sings, “Unite the pair so long disjoined, knowledge and vital piety; Learning and holiness combined, and truth and love let all people see. In these, whom up to thee we give, thine, wholly thine, to die and live.”
This deeply Christian and Wesleyan vision of joining learning and holiness captured early Free Methodists. Under the leadership of B.T. and Ellen Roberts, Free Methodists had a vision for the Christian University that, from the beginning, was revolutionary. For example, in 1915 the education committee of the church wrote these compelling words about Christian education within an American context:
If we are going to teach our boys and girls that success consists in getting more money than their fellows; or in gaining place or position; or in winning earthly fame; then let us close the doors of our colleges, junior colleges, and seminaries; give up the unequal struggle, and acknowledge frankly that we have no further excuse for existence. On the other hand, if we are going to teach young folks that to succeed means to lead righteous lives; have our hearts cleansed from all sin; and live for God and humanity; even though we may never have a dollar beyond our actual necessities; may never be honored with a station above the humblest, and may never be known outside our immediate community; -- then let us thank God for being engaged in a work that is worthwhile …
The foundation of Free Methodist schools and our University have deep Christian and Wesleyan roots that have been sustained with great care. Below are a handful of these roots that continue to fund Seattle Pacific University’s mission and vision.
The Christian University and Holiness and Justice
This Christ-centered mission is at the heart of the Free Methodist movement. The holiness that was cultivated amongst early leaders was tied to their proximity to the least of these in society, because they understood that being with the poor was being with Jesus, the holy one.
The Christian University and the Scriptures
The thoughtful and disciplined study of Scripture was the foundation not only for knowledge of salvation, but also for the training of a just and merciful people. The first Seattle Pacific University catalog of 1893 stated that: “Seattle Seminary will have no sympathy with that type of education which limits its objects to this life. We believe in teaching for the future. ‘Education for Character’ will be our constant motto. The Bible will have prominent place in all our work” (First Annual Announcement Seattle Seminary, 1893–94, pp 2–3).
The Christian University and the Liberal Arts
Free Methodists are Christians who pursue truth wherever it may be found because we affirm with the best of the church’s teachers that truth is one. We believe that all truth is God’s truth, and so we only have God to gain by loving God with our hearts and minds.
The Christian University and a Worldwide Vision
A global vision of education has been a key aspect for the Free Methodist Church, which is also why the church has helped found and support various international universities, including Hope Africa University in Burundi, Osaka Christian College in Japan, Haiti Providence College, and Immanuel University in India. This worldwide vision has always been cherished at SPU.
The Christian University and The Churches — A Non-Sectarian Collaborative Vision
Fostering a diverse Christian community of disciples within the university has always been important for the Free Methodist Church. David McKenna’s vision of a university, which he defined in an article titled “The Meaning of a University,” defined the university through its etymology of “unity in diversity.” For him this meant that a university “is committed to the unity of truth and the diversity of knowledge.” In other words, diverse perspectives under the unity of a Christo-centric perspective allow for a beautifully centered ecumenicism.
A prayer for our community is that Seattle Pacific University be a place where “knowledge and vital piety” be thoroughly united in the spirit of our founding and continued connection to the church. And that our commitment to the work of Christian education be a genuine act of worship, pleasing to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Rev. Dr. Brian Lugioyo is the dean of the Seattle Pacific School of Theology and Seattle Pacific Seminary.