Student Life Handbook Introduction:

Living in peace and harmony with one another requires authority and order. While keeping a set of rules does not make one spiritual, they are required for an orderly environment.

What Does the Spiritual Life Look Like?

If true spirituality is not outward conformity to rules, what does it mean to live a spiritual life?

  • Being spiritual begins with faith in Christ as Savior, without this there is no spirit life! John 17:3
  • True righteousness is the fruit of faith in Christ and voluntary submission to Him out of love and gratitude. (II Corinthians 8:5; Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:15) It is not compliance to external rules. (Matthew 23:1-3)

 All Rules Are Not Created Equal

Everyone who becomes a student on the campus of MBU agrees to abide by all the standards and guidelines of the University. The guidelines contained in the Student Life Handbook (SLH) are designed to reflect the Core Values Maranatha believes are effective in developing Christian character traits and Christ-like leadership. There are three types of standards within the SLH.

All three types are included to ensure that we can learn, work, and live together in harmony.

  1. Biblical Standards

Maranatha has adopted the Baptist distinctive of accepting the Bible as our final authority of all matters of faith and practice. If an action is clearly identified in Scripture as an outward sin, then it is forbidden. (See Protecting Your Testimony) The Bible also identifies sins of the heart which are hidden from external view, but over time, usually are manifested outwardly. (hatred, pride, lust, etc.) 

  1. Legal Standards

All believers are required by the Lord to obey the laws of the land (1 Peter 2:17). Students must obey federal, state and local laws and authorities. Maranatha may enlist the aid of law enforcement when illegal behavior on campus is suspected. Maranatha will not harbor or protect a student from being questioned by police but will ensure that the students legal rights are not violated in such instances. 

  1. Community Standards

A community is a group of people who gather together for mutual benefit and a common goal. Students agree to follow certain procedures for the good of the individuals and the whole. Many of Maranatha community standards are designed to provide a peaceful and harmonious environment for students. These standards also protect the testimony of the student and the University in the eyes of our stake holders, allowing everyone to live above reproach or suspicion. There is nothing inherently sinful about breaking a community standard, such as not using an Epass, but breaking rules carries consequences. This is true of all three types of standards. The consequences can include warning, demerits, fines, suspensions or dismissal. Without a consequence the rule does not really exist.