4.18 : Sabbath Policy

Greenville University is committed to “honoring Christ by integrating faith and learning while our hearts and lives reflect mature Christian practice” (GU Lifestyle Statement, updated February 2015). One of our basic assumptions is that “the Bible is our authority: it provides the essential teachings and principles for personal and community conduct” (also from the Lifestyle Statement).
From the creation account to the words of Jesus Himself, the Bible clearly speaks to the idea of Sabbath as a day set aside from other days, a holy day, and a day of rest. Sunday is the university community Sabbath day, so at Greenville University the community holds this day as one distinct from the normal routines of academic and co-curricular life. It is a day set aside to worship, reflect on spiritual lives, and become restored for the week ahead. For this reason, the university community seeks to avoid conducting business, holding classes, or having formal athletic competitions on Sunday. Nevertheless, the university affirms Christ’s teachings that the “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” For that reason, individuals have freedom to act as they see fit. Institutionally, however, the University seeks to honor the Sabbath and keep it as a day set apart from normal activities.