Inspire, Winter 2006

Celebrification I 'ye often wondered what it would be like to be a celebrity. Notfamous,mind you.To be famous,you have to achieve something notable.A celebrity,in the words ofDaniel Boorstin,"is a person who is well- known for being well-known." I think I would enjoy it for a day and then crave my usual anonymity. In the past,only a selectfew could afford the status.A person would pursue celebrity by authorizing portraits or statues to inflate one's virtues and accomplishments.Now,the media have leveled the playing field and given everyone an opportunity at celebrity. In fact,reaching celebrity status is the highest achievement in American culture. No matter what it takes,getting noticed is an end in itself. A murderer wrote to the Wichita police and complained,"How many times do I have to kill before I get a name in the paper or some national attention?"Evidently it is six since after his sixth murder he made it to the front page. American culture is brimming with celebrities. Entertainers are the most logical celebrities,but now so are athletes,government leaders,and even educators.The celebrification ofour society is near completion when celebrity preachers extol the virtues of modesty and sacrifice on television — the ultimate celebrity-making machine. While I was thinking about the idea ofcelebrity,I remembered the words ofJesus:"You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men,but God knows your hearts.What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight"(Luke 16:15). Too many seek to get ahead in this world and forget that this is the wrong world to get ahead in.We can even be guilty ofdoing the right things for the wrong reasons— to be acknowledged and praised."Be careful:'Jesus warns us,"not to do your'acts ofrighteousness'before men,to be seen by them"(Matthew 6:1). As Christians,we seek true fame,not celebrity."But notfame conferred 110 by our fellow creatures,"says C.S.Lewis."Fame with God,approval,or (I mightsay)'appreciation'by God." Sometimes true fame is recognized by others,but that is never the objective. It is a by-product ofservice and sacrifice.To be acknowledged by God is the ultimate fame.It reveals our true devotion to Him."The man who loves God is known by God"(I Corinthians 8:3). . Whatdoes God think ofme? We will know when we see Him and hear Him say,"Well done,good and faithful servant!"(Matthew 25:21). Dr. Bill Brown President 6 Winter 2006 From the President's Office A Clear Commitment to Truth redaryille University exists to educate students through ...the presentation ofa distinctly biblical worldview. Education in all the disciplines is permeated with a commitment to viewing Scripture as the ultimate guide in the pursuit oftruth. In our culture,however, both the truth ofScripture and objective truth in general are being questioned-.Society is sometimes skeptical ofthe ability to know anything about the world or the Bible. These issues have risen to such a level that they cannot be ignored, prompting us as a university to clarify our position on truth and to what degree it may beknown. The University has produced a statement that affirms the following: • Objective truth exists apartfrom its recognition by humans. • The Bible, God's Word,is truth — inspired, infallible, and inerrant. • Believers can know the meaning ofthe Bible with understanding adequate to o be assured of their salvation o live by faith in obedience to God,and O affirm the conclusions essential to the Christian faith, which we hold as non- negotiable and upon which we unswervingly base our hope. Ifyou would like to read the complete statement,go to www.cedarville.eduhruthdoc. Seeking Public Comment C edarville University is seeking comments from the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The University will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit March 19-21,2007 by a team representing the Higher Learning Commission ofthe North Central Association ofColleges and Schools. Cedarville University has been accredited by the commission since 1975.The team will review the institution's ongoing ability to meet the commission's criteria for accreditation and general institutional requirements. The public is invited to submit comments regarding the University. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality ofthe institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed;comments cannot be treated as confidential. All comments must be received by February 19,2007. Send comments to: Public Commenton Cedarville University The Higher Learning Commission North Central Association ofColleges and Schools 30 North LaSalle Street,Suite 2400 Chicago,IL 60602 Note: Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution should requestthe separate Policy on Complaints documenthorn the commission office. The Higher Learning Commission cannotsettle disputes between insntutions and individuals. Complaints will notbe considered third- partycomment.