Calvary University Blog
Is “He Gets Us!” an effective way to engage our culture?
Is “He gets us!” an effective way to engage our culture? The recent Super Bowl ads proclaimed, “He gets us!” What does it mean that Jesus “gets us”? Is that true? Is that the right message? The gospel message? Is it too short? Is it a distortion of the gospel? Is this...
Joshua Paxton: Testimony in Trial
“When you discover God is all you have, you realize He is all you need.” As a child, Joshua Paxton believed God was evil for allowing him to suffer because of a rare kidney disease he has battled his whole life. After a painful but successful kidney transplant during...
Calvary’s 23rd Annual Golf Tournament
Calvary University's 23rd Annual Calvary Classic 4-person scramble golf tournament was a great success, bringing together 114 golfers at Eagles' Landing Golf Course, located adjacent to the campus. The winning team of the overall tournament was composed of John...
Is the “He Gets Us” campaign a good presentation of the gospel?
Is the “He Gets Us” campaign a good presentation of the gospel? During this year’s Superbowl, an ad entitled “He gets us”—an obvious Christian message—was aired. It got a variety of responses, both positive and negative. Were these ads effective? Were they appropriate...
What is the relationship between music and worship?
What is the relationship between music and worship? Worship and music are such an important aspect to the life and community of a local church. And there have been diverse answers to the questions surrounding the kinds of music and the depth of the lyrics. Calvary...
Introducing Ron Sharp, Dean of Students
Calvary is excited to welcome Ron Sharp into the role of Dean of Students at Calvary, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted faith. His faith journey began in his early years, growing up within the church, but it wasn't until a pivotal moment...
The Pursuit of Learning for God’s Glory
Calvary University partners with professors who desire to glorify God and equip students to do the same. Dr. Timothy Hange is a direct example of this with a strong passion for life-long learning, rooted in a desire to love and honor the Lord. Critical thinking,...
How should Christians think about “the worship wars”?
How should Christians think about “the worship wars”? “I love the drums in church!” “I hate drums in church!” “I love the contemporary worship songs!” “I love the old hymns!” We call this the “worship wars” in churches—so much debate surrounds the music in our worship...
Introducing New Microcredential Programs
Calvary University is excited to announce a new enrollment option for the upcoming fall semester that makes biblical education even more accessible: Microcredentials. Designed to equip Christians for effective leadership and service, each Microcredential program...
Ethnos 360: Equipping Students for International Missions
Last fall, Calvary University and Ethnos360 teamed up to help equip college-aged missionaries-in-training to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The partnership on this project started when Jim Passetti, linguistics teacher in Ethnos360’s training...
Should American Christians prepare for persecution?
Should American Christians prepare for persecution? Persecution of Christians has been a part of the history of the Church since its inception, but it appears to be getting worse. While we in America have been free from serious persecution for our faith, some say that...
Laura VanderWoude receives 2024 Elementary Education Award
Laura VanderWoude (CU’ 2018), has recently won the Elementary Educator award for 2024 from the Missouri American String Teachers Association. Laura graduated from Calvary University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education: Instrumental, with an emphasis in...
Carolyn Asher’s Journey to Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor
"Passing my Missouri Licensing Exam opened up a world of opportunity in my counseling career." In addition to earning her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Calvary in 2023, Carolyn Asher recently passed her Missouri Licensing Examination (NCE)—making her the...
What are the issues behind the conflict in Israel?
What are the issues behind the conflict in Israel? October 7, 2023: Hamas invaded Israel. Why? What did Hamas hope to gain? What are the causes of the conflict between not just Hamas and Israel but much of the Arab world and Israel? Calvary University’s Dr. Mike...
Paul Wright’s The Hand at the Helm: A Guidebook for Seminary Board members
"This book meets a definite need for theological education in Latin America." Paul Wright is a missionary, an educator, and a recent contributor to a book that he hopes will make a far-reaching impact on theological education in Latin America. The title of the book,...
Should Evangelicals Stay Out of Politics?
Should Evangelicals Stay Out of Politics? An “evangelical” is a “good news proclaimer”! It’s a perfectly good word to describe those who take the Bible seriously and desire to “proclaim the good news” of Jesus Christ. But, in recent times, it has become...
Should evangelicals stop converting people?
Should evangelicals stop converting people? Does everyone need to be converted to Christianity? Evangelicals say yes. It’s called “Conversionism”: the belief that lives need to be transformed thorough a “born-again” experience through faith in Jesus Christ. But not...
Calvary ranked in top 3% of Christian colleges and universities according to Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide.
Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide (2023) explores the question of how to find a university that truly aligns with its Christian identity, providing a helpful evaluation guide that students and their parents can use in their decision-making process....
Why do evangelicals believe the Bible is true?
Why do evangelicals believe the Bible is true? How do we know what is true? The National Association of Evangelicals claims that most evangelicals believe in “biblicism.” They have a high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the ultimate authority. Where do...
Marissa Hitt: Artist, Entrepreneur, and Business Student
"As soon as I could pick up a paint brush, I started painting. I've been creative at heart ever since." Marissa Hitt is a young artist who has been grabbing the attention of Kansas City with her artwork since she was in kindergarten. She is the founder of her small...
Faculty Spotlight: Karen Hange Earns her Doctorate of Education in Teaching and Learning
Dr. Karen Hange is a passionate academic instructor determined to improve online and in-class learning experiences for students at Calvary University. As Program Director of Elementary Education, she recently earned her Doctorate of Education in Teaching and Learning...
Was the Cross of Jesus “cosmic child abuse”?
Was the Cross of Jesus “cosmic child abuse”? The cross is an unusual choice for the symbol of a religion. It shows that the death of Jesus is one of the key beliefs of Christians—evangelicals in particular. But many today are asking whether we got it right—was Jesus...
Looking for an affordable education? Calvary may be your school.
Today, countless students are faced with the challenge of accessing an outstanding university with affordable tuition rates. As Gen Z’s concerns escalate over this issue, Calvary has risen to the challenge by presenting itself as an affordable solution for many. ...
What is an “evangelical” and is it a ruined word?
What is an “evangelical” and is it a ruined word? The term “evangelical” has a rich heritage in Church History, going all the way back to the Greek word behind “preaching” or “proclamation” in the Bible, up through the Reformation. But in modern U.S. culture, it has...
Bible Conversations in the Gospel of John: Lee Smith
“Pastor Lee Smith writes with the skill of a careful exegete and the heart of a pastor-teacher. ” Lee Smith is a retired pastor and current author who recently collaborated with CU Press to publish Biblical Conversations in the Gospel of John – Exegetically Based...
How can you help people if you’re not a counselor?
How can you help people if you’re not a counselor? People all around us need help. They need encouragement, help and answers. Should ordinary, average Christians wade into the waters of “counseling” or should we leave that to the professionals? Calvary’s Dr. Tim...
Alumni Spotlight: The Global Success of Millers’ Book Series
Keith stated: "We are so thankful to get God’s Word out and for our books to be used like they have been." Calvary alumni Keith (CBC '69) and Pat Miller (CBC '00) are praising God as they have recently hit a milestone of over 250,000 copies in their Quick Scripture...
Why bother with the Old Testament?
“Is the Old Testament for us today? Is everything in it for Christians living in the 21st Century? If we fail to study the Old Testament, what might we be missing? What might we be getting wrong? Calvary’s Dr. Mike Dodds invited Joel Williamson, professor of Hebrew...
Calvary University Girls Volleyball Team receives and At-Large Bid to NCCAA National Tournament
In the realm of sports, triumphs are the sweetest when hard work, determination, unity, and skill converge into the formula of a winning season. Such is the story of this remarkable volleyball team that has not only dominated the past season of conference and...
Should we stop reaching the unreached?
Should we stop reaching the unreached? For 50 years, most missionaries have been focused on reaching unreached people groups—prioritizing people who have the least access to the gospel. Today, this focus is falling out of favor by critics of the Western missionary...
Alumni Spotlight: Todd Price Reaches the Roma People
"Bible translation is a big job that needs to get done." Todd Price is an International Bible Translation Consultant who is on a mission to bring the Gospel to the Roma people of Southeastern Europe. So far, he and his team have worked to translate fifty Bible stories...
Part 2: How can Christians be faithful in a negative world?
Times have changed. At one time, the Church in America lived in a positive world—a culture that was positive toward the Bible, respected clergy, and considered the Church to be a force for good in the world. But times have changed. We now live in a world that...
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Joshua Paxton’s Academic Impact
"I specifically got my doctorate because I wanted to do more in my role at Calvary." Calvary University is honored to announce that missions professor, Joshua Paxton, recently earned his doctorate in Intercultural Studies from Western Seminary. As a professor, Joshua...