Christian Commitment

At Baylor, we celebrate our distinctive place in higher education—where research, scholarship and faith guide the mind in understanding the complex diversity of God's creation and prepare the whole person for service and leadership.

During the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, prestigious institutions of higher education founded on Christian principles began a relentless retreat from their spiritual heritage. During that time and into the Twenty-first Century, Baylor has remained one of the few to persist in the belief that not only can its Baptist heritage inform a vital approach to life in general, it can also inform the life of the mind specifically.

Baylor continues to hold firm to the conviction that the world needs a preeminent research university that is unambiguously Christian, where such a commitment does not imply a lack of scholarly inquiry, but rather requires scholarship and creative endeavors at the highest levels of quality to complement and inform its teaching and service.

The foundation for Baylor's position in higher education is articulated in its mission statement, foundational assumptions, core convictions and unifying academic themes. These commitments motivated the founding of Baylor and have guided the University at every point in its history. They continue to define Baylor's exceptional character, purpose and vocation in the world of higher education.

Chapel

The oldest tradition in American higher education and at Baylor University is Chapel. The need for members of an academic community to come together to focus on the God who made them and the universe in which they live and study has not changed.

Chapel is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to journey together in intentional spiritual formation. For more information on chapel’s mission and specific sections, click here.

Demographics

Our student body comes from 49 states and more than 85 countries, and that diversity means a variety of background, cultures and beliefs. Despite assumptions to the contrary, students are not required to embrace the Baptist tradition to become part of the Baylor family and enjoy all that Baylor has to offer. Students encounter a variety of beliefs on campus, and they are encouraged to broaden their understanding of the rich cultural diversity found throughout the world and reflected in the Baylor family. The Baylor family includes members from these faith traditions:

African Methodist Episcopal
Anglican (Church of England)
Assembly of God
Atheist
Baptist
Buddhist
Catholic
Christian Church
Church of Christ
Church of God
Church of the Nazarene
Congregational Church
Disciples of Christ
Eastern Orthodox
Episcopalian
Evangelical Free
Four Square Gospel
Full Gospel
Greek Orthodox
Hindu
Independent Bible
Islam
Interdenominational
Jehovah's Witness
Jewish/Judaism
LDS (Mormon)
Lutheran
Mennonite
Methodist
Missionary Alliance
Non-Denominational
Pentecostal
Presbyterian
Protestant
Seventh Day Adventist
Unitarian
No Religion

George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Truett Seminary's purpose is to provide theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Doctor of Ministry or the Master of Theological Studies degree that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world.

Learn More About Truett Theological Seminary

Spiritual Life

The Office of Spiritual Life offers programs, persons, and resources to nurture theological depth, spiritual wholeness, and missional living in students, faculty, and staff.

Learn More about the Office of Spiritual Life

Spiritual Life Centers

Institute for Faith and Learning

Housed in beautiful Brooks Residential College, the Institute for Faith and Learning was founded in 1997 to assist Baylor in achieving its mission of integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment, and its goal of becoming a university of the first rank committed to its Baptist and Christian heritage. Since its founding, the Institute has developed several major programs in support of this mission, cultivating high-quality research, sponsoring conferences, mentoring students, and encouraging teaching faithful to the Christian intellectual tradition.

Learn More about the Institute for Faith and Learning

Studies of Religion

Launched in August 2004, The Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) exists to initiate, support and conduct research on religion, involving scholars and projects spanning the intellectual spectrum. Baylor ISR has become a preeminent leader in religious studies, conducting groundbreaking research on worldwide religious beliefs that is continually cited around the world. While always striving for appropriate scientific objectivity, Baylor ISR scholars treat religion with the respect that sacred matters require and deserve.