Vision, Mission & Values
We believe the purpose of all creation is to know God and make Him known. We aim to discover the depths of God’s nature and let that knowledge guide every relationship and activity.
Jeremiah 29:13 – “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Acts 17:26-28 – “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being…”
Our Mission
We are an accredited Classical Christian university offering programs in biblical studies and exposition, theology, apologetics, and archaeology, among others. We connect with the community through conferring degrees, offering symposiums, archaeological excavation, publication, and producing media.
Nehemiah 8:8 — “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.”
2 Timothy 2:15 — “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Our Values
Truth
We believe truth is what reflects reality and is, therefore, the anchor of all human experience, expression, and thought.
We are committed to the pursuit and defense of truth and the authentic, accurate, and responsible transmission of it.
Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
We believe whole-life transformation is the supernatural byproduct of knowing God and is one of the most eloquent declarations of His power.
We are committed to nurturing and encouraging every person God places in our path as they are transformed into His likeness.
Psalm 139:14 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Dignity
We believe every person bears the image of God and is worthy of being seen, heard, and valued.
We are committed to honoring the uniqueness of each person and helping them discover and develop their Divine calling.
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Faithfulness
We believe unwavering commitment is the currency of trust and the foundation of fruitfulness.
We will be consistent and courageous in our work, worship and relationships.
Proverbs 3:3–4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”
1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
Wonder
We believe all creation clearly reflects the attributes of God, and those who learn to see them are drawn into deeper intimacy, worship, awe and humility.
We are committed to approaching every idea, person, and experience with joyful and reverent curiosity.
Psalm 19:1–2 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.”
Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
VIU Motto
THINK DEEPLY.
From plumbing the depths of Divine grace, to researching a worldview claim, to unearthing biblical artifacts, going deeper is an essential ingredient in every VIU program.
STAND FIRMLY.
As a continuation of the exploration and discovery of truth, and discerning what is knowable about God, creation, scripture, life, value, and mission, VIU holds firm to these truths as the bedrock on which worldview conviction and commitment can be sustained.
LIVE PURPOSEFULLY.
We are called to be active and engaged in community. It is our joy to equip and encourage individuals to discover and pursue their mission as we live out ours, recognizing this purpose as something greater than ourselves.
VIU Educational Objectives
- To develop the student’s spiritual, moral, intellectual, and devotional understanding of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the doctrines of orthodox Christianity.
- To develop in the student an awareness that worship of God involves the total life of faith and practice independent of one’s circumstances or environment.
- To develop in the student a sense of awareness, responsibility, and engagement in church planting, evangelism, and global missions.
- To equip the student with the understanding necessary to skillfully and humbly defend the Christian faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
- To assist the student in developing a biblical worldview centered in Christ that will provide the interpretive framework through which to understand the world and provide enduring solutions to its problems.
- To increase the student’s understanding of church and para-church ministry related to biblical studies, theological studies, and apologetics.
- To assist students in gaining an appreciation for Godly knowledge and wisdom, not as an end in itself, but as a means to clarifying, defending, and sharing the gospel with skill, and to help the student live the Christian life as a thoughtful individual.
- To help students embrace a life of Christian humility and sacrificial love, which are the greatest visible and relational testimonies one could offer fellow Christians and the world.
In order to achieve our goal, VIU will offer the student knowledge of God, His Word, and the world in which we proclaim it. It is our firm conviction that the church today must be both biblical and practical. That it would be both anchored to the Rock and geared to the times. It should proclaim God’s changeless truth in these changing times. We take seriously, Paul’s statement that “I am put here for the defense of the gospel” (Philip. 1:16). In a day when serious doctrinal declension permeates the church, we are convinced that in the spiritual realm too, we cannot recognize a counterfeit unless we know the genuine.
With this in view, we offer students a complete understanding of the whole counsel of God in Scripture and a systematic understanding of “sound doctrine” that the apostle Paul urged the church to pursue (2 Tim. 1:3; 4:3-4). For we are firmly convinced that we cannot recognize error, or transform the individual unless we know and receive the truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). Indeed, He added, “I am the truth” (Jn. 14:6). So, whether it is in propositional form or in personal form, VIU is committed to convey and apply the truth of God to the church of God.
Student Objectives
Graduates will be prepared:
- To interpret the Word of God in its own literary, historical, and theological settings with the relevance and meaning which leads to the formation of a biblical worldview.
- To develop an apologetic response to the philosophies and movements that threaten the welfare of Christ’s Church in the modern age.
- To evaluate for biblical accuracy the theological resources of the church, including the creeds, confessions, sermons, and other historic documents.
- To cultivate a God-honoring Christian walk which leads to an appreciation for and participation in discipleship, world missions, evangelism and church planting.
- To clearly articulate, debate, and teach sound theological beliefs in language consistent with Scripture for the purpose of spiritual growth, teaching, convincing, correcting, and instructing in righteousness.
- To uncompromisingly communicate the Word of God and theological beliefs to a modern world.
- To lead by Christ’s example of humility and self-sacrificing love and service.