Inspire, Winter 2005

Winter 2005 The human spirit will not even try to surrender self-will as long as all seems well with it.­— C.S. Lewis W hen bad things happen, it catches us off guard and makes us change the way we think and live. At these times we admit that all is not well and our spirits are in turmoil. Moral evil makes us angry: rape, murder, theft — the evil choices of people to cause others harm. But natural evil — disease, accident, or disasters — makes us ponder the frailty of life. Who do we blame? God? Jesus addressed both kinds of evil when He was asked about those who had been murdered by Pilate. “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! … Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no!” (Luke 13:2-5). Lost in the accusations after Hurricane Katrina was the reality of a natural evil that was so devastating that words and pictures seemed trite. Several Christian leaders took the opportunity to pronounce God’s judgment on the United States in general and New Orleans in particular. They were talking through their hats because even Jesus did not fall into the trap of claiming God’s judgment in specific instances (and He would know!). But Jesus does go on to twice add a warning: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). The consequences of evil are a reminder to everyone that we are not in control and we must change our ways of thinking and living (“repent”) lest the ultimate fate of evil strikes us. The reality of evil in the world is actually evidence that God, in all His goodness, exists. The places of greatest suffering and despair — hospitals, battlefields, the gulag — are rarely places of unbelief and rejection of God. They are frequently the places of greatest heroism, sacrifice, and love. The response of so many Christians to the hurricane tragedies is motivating. The response of Cedarville University students is incredible. One day there will be no evil. Until then we are called to live out Christ’s love and compassion in a world that is dark and unsavory. Even a little salt and light go a long way. President’s Pen Dr. Bill Brown President Cedarville University welcomed Joel Belz, publisher and founder of WORLD magazine, as guest speaker at the sixth annual Pastors Summit on November 15. WORLD is a weekly news magazine dedicated to reporting news from a Christian perspective. As its publisher, Joel Belz offered pastors and church leaders a unique opportunity to discuss cultural trends and the influence of media on our thoughts, values, and everyday lives. WORLD Publisher at Pastors Summit Mercy TEAM at Work During October, the Cedarville University student organization Mercy TEAM hosted various events in recognition of Disabilities Awareness Month. Besides holding educational activities on autism and hidden disabilities, the team conducted a “Parents’ Day Out” in which parents of children with disabilities could have CU students watch their children for free, allowing parents to enjoy a few hours of free time. Mercy TEAM is a student-led organization which seeks to support University students with disabilities and to reach out to individuals with disabilities and their families in the Cedarville area and neighboring communities.