Inspire, Winter 2006

Connecting Christianity and Literature Whatdo literature and religion have in common? Participants at the October 12-13 Conference on Christianity and Literature Mideast Regional Conference explored the answer to that question at Cedarville University this fall. Focusing on the theme"Incarnation in the Classroom: Mentoring the Next Generation ofScholars,Teachers,and Writers,"the conference included multiple sessions led by writers representing various regional colleges and universities. Discussion topics included Christian creative writing,the role ofthe Christian faith in secular composition,and the use of popular culture to advance literature. Celebrating Diversity The National Christian Multicultural Student Leadership Conference(NCMSLC)hosted this fall at Cedarville University provided hundreds ofChristian young people with the training they need to lead effectively in a diverse culture. Featuring three days ofevents,NCMSLC(www.ncmslc.org) included speakers such as the Rev.Chris Williamson,Dr.Bill Brown,and the Rev.Soong-Chan Rah.A keytheme ofthe conference was the emphasis on celebrating diversity instead ofallowing it to divide. Fear Factors Dr. Bill Brown recently took on intellectual development and Christians'fears ofit in his article,"Fear Factors: Five Barriers to Intellectual Growth," which was published in Christian SchoolEducation.Writing that "Christians once dominated the world of thought,education,ideas,and research," he asserted that Christian thinkers have faded to the point that in 1963 Harry Blamires lamented, "There is no longer a Christian mind." Through his article, Dr.Brown challenged Christians to"retool for intellectual growth"by overcoming five"fear factors?'Read the article at www.cedarville.edu/president/fearfactors.htm. Cedarville Alumni, Because we value your trust and your prayers,I wanted to make you aware that a gay advocacy group is considering visiting Cedarville University in the spring to protest our biblical position on homosexuality.Soulforce is a lesbian,gay, bisexual,and transgender group which exists to promote, in their words,"freedom ... from religious and political oppression"for homosexuals. Cedarville University is one of60 Christian universities or military institutions nationwide that has been contacted by Soulforce.Ofthe 60,Soulforce plans to select40 by the end of the year for their spring 2007"Equality Ride"bus tours. As you all know,here at Cedarville we hold strongly to the Bible's teaching that sexual activity is a blessing designed exclusively for heterosexual marriage.In line with that, we don't allow homosexual acts, behavior,or promotion of a homosexual lifestyle. We have clearly communicated to Soulforce that our policies are based on biblical mandates and are not subject to change. Should Soulforce decide to bring their protest to Cedarville in the spring,we will carefully articulate a biblical position on homosexuality,recognize the Equality Riders'dignity as individuals created in God's image,express Christlike compassion to them,and use this as an opportunity to share the gospel. We will let you know of more details as they come,but if you have questiong,in the meantime,please e-mail me at bbrown@cedarville.edu And,don't forget to pray!Your prayers are needed for the Equality Riders and our own campus family. Please ask the Lord to protect us and bless our efforts to speak truth to our culture. Whatan opportunity to live out our mission statement and our biblical convictions before the Equality Riders and a watching world! God bless, Dr. Bill Brown •?Th President 10 Winter 2006