2017-2018 CIU Student Handbook
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evidence of the universal human rejection of God’s supreme glory and, like all
forms of sexual behavior that violate God’s original design, it is sin.
The New Testament further states:
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit
the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters
nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the
greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God
(1 Cor. 6:9–10).
The same passage of Scripture strongly affirms the liberating power of the Christian
gospel. Sinful men and women may be freed from all former sinful patterns of life,
including sexual sin, whether heterosexual or homosexual:
And that is what some of
you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God
(1 Cor. 6:11).
Like all other sins, the corruption of sexual sin can be fully forgiven through
repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning work even though physical and
psychological scars caused by sexual sin cannot always be erased in this life. We
grieve with those who suffer hardships caused by sexual immorality, even if it is
caused by their sinful acts. We strive to give aid in ways that do not deny personal
responsibility for sexual behavior and that demonstrate the love of God for all
people, remembering that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans
5:8). We believe Christ set an example of loving ministry to those who suffer from
the results of their own acts of sin (e.g. Christ’s interaction with the Samaritan
woman [John 4:4-26] and with the thief on the cross [Luke 23:39-43]).
FINAL AUTHORITY IN MATTERS OF BELIEF AND CONDUCT STATEMENT
This statement does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the
inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God speaks with final authority concerning
truth, morality, and the proper conduct of human beings. It is the sole and final
source of all that we believe. For purposes of CIU’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy,
and discipline, our Board of Trustees is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s
meaning and application.
Student Life Disciplinary Process
CIU desires to assist and guide students in the midst of dealing with personal
issues, relationship problems, even issues that may ordinarily be handled through
the disciplinary process. In the eyes of the faculty and staff, it is a welcome
testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit when students openly acknowledge and
seek to address personal failures or problems. Our desire is to come alongside
any student dealing with such issues. When a student takes initiative to disclose a
personal failure or problem to a resident assistant, a member of the Student Life
Division, a faculty or staff member, or an administrator, every effort will be made to
address and resolve the issue through mediation, discipleship, counseling, or other
means of intervention. CIU’s expectation is that any student disclosing a problem
or failure should also be willing to enter into a plan to address the problem. In such
cases, the student will demonstrate ongoing commitment to CIU’s mission and
educational goals by submitting to guidance and conscientious follow-through
with any measures prescribed to overcome the issue.