Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience—something that touches us all. People may describe a spiritual experience as sacred or transcendent or simply a deep sense of aliveness and interconnectedness.

Some may find that their spiritual life is intricately linked to their association with a church, or synagogue. Others may pray or find comfort in a personal relationship with God or a higher power. Still others seek meaning through their connections to nature or art. Like your sense of purpose, your personal definition of spirituality may change throughout your life, adapting to your own experiences and relationships.

“How are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”

Romans 10:15

Evangelism is one way in which we can fulfill Christ’s call to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). In biblical categories, witnessing involves making visible what is otherwise invisible. The reality to which we bear witness is the invisible kingdom of God, and in witnessing we strive to make the Lord’s reign visibly manifest. Among the many ways we can bear witness to Jesus is through loving our fellow believers. We reveal to the world that we belong to our Savior when we love other Christians (John 13:34–35). Celebrating the Lord’s Supper proclaims visibly the Lord’s death until He comes again (1 Cor. 11:26). In preaching the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in our evangelism, we are also helping to make visible the invisible reality of Christ.

As extensions of God’s creation, the academic disciplines are a part of God’s general revelation. And just as the Bible helps us to read, interpret, and care for the creation, a keen-eyed knowledge of general revelation also helps us to read, understand, and apply God’s Word. A trained appreciation of literature, for instance, enhances the ways we read the literary genres found in Scripture. When we become schooled in sociology, we are better equipped to assess the social structures found in Old and New Testament societies, and better equipped to apply its insights into our own social contexts. Historical study helps us see the strangeness of past civilizations we find in the Bible, while a background in linguistics will lead us to apply deeper, more probing kinds of questions to the Babel narrative in Genesis 11.

spirituality

evangelism

academics