We, the staff of Columbia Witness, are Christians from
across church traditions who seek to explore our faith through writing
and art. As undergraduate students of Columbia University, we draw
inspiration from Low Library’s inscription that Columbia exists “for the
advancement of the public good and the glory of almighty God” and
Columbia’s motto from Psalm 36:9, “In thy light shall we see light.” As
we ponder the ways in which God informs different aspects of our lives,
we want to share our realizations with others.
We aim to engage our diverse academic community with discussions
related to our faith. Through sharing Christian perspectives, we
endeavor to convey Christianity as something that appeals to both the
mind and the heart.
We welcome people of all beliefs to join with us as we think
critically about what we believe, reflect deeply on our personal
experiences, wrestle intensely with difficult questions in our world
today, and search earnestly for answers.
Our Mission
To proclaim the life and power of God’s truth to the Columbia community
and beyond through diverse Christian voices and ideas.
Our vision
A campus that witnesses the subversive person of Jesus
and accepts the reality of the Gospel.
Statement of faith
We believe that the biblical narrative of God’s creation and our
redemption is the most beautiful story in existence; it reveals God’s
love for humanity that still can change lives today. The Gospel of Jesus
Christ has the power to rescue, redeem, and renew everyone and
everything. It is our sincere belief in this premise that motivates us
to share our perspectives with others.
We adopt the Apostles’ Creed as our basic profession of faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
* that is, the universal Christian church of all times and all places