(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) – Today marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of The Foundational Concepts of Christian Education by the Geneva College Board of Trustees. Commissioned by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, it was prepared by a joint committee of the Board of Corporators and Board of Trustees of Geneva College and adopted on this day, October 26, 1967.
Dr. Calvin L. Troup, Geneva College president, says, “Foundational Concepts was pivotal in renewing the Christian identity of the college, rejuvenating the mission and vision for Christian higher education at Geneva. In retrospect, just at the moment in which many schools were losing their moorings and being tossed about by modern cultural conflicts during the late 1960s, Geneva’s boards and leadership set a course for faithfulness—revitalizing the college’s commitments to the compelling intellectual relevance of biblical truth to all of life. Grounded in the college’s reformed confession and heritage, and resonant with the great truths of the historic Christian faith held in common by Christians in every age and place, Foundational Concepts continues to guide Geneva College today.”
Geneva College and Dr. Troup prepared a Foundational Concepts documentary video, highlighting the development, history and legacy of the document that drastically changed the direction of the college. The Foundational Concepts story features clips of interviews with four members of the original joint committee charged with developing the document.
Committee chair at the time of adoption, Dr. James D. Carson says, “What we’re talking about is God’s pure grace. That it’s not us, but what God has done. He used some of us to do it. God was right on time in doing what He did when He did. And I think that helps explain why (Foundational Concepts) has lasted fifty years.”
The Foundational Concepts of Christian Education and the video documentary are available online: https://www.geneva.edu/about-geneva/foundational_concepts
Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 80 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and classroom options, and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top Three Best Value Regional University with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.
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