Torch, Fall 2003

16 TORCH / Fall 2003 But, understanding Bill’s affection for those around him is not a sufficient understanding of who he is. Neither is an appreciation for his brainpower. Even grasping the extent of both of those qualities in Bill Brown’s life is insufficient to fully appreciating who he is. Not only does Bill care about those with whom he interacts. Not only does he have the gifts of brightness and insight and the skills to utilize those gifts in practical and useful ways. Bill Brown is also a compassionate man. Once more, you will need to spend just a few minutes talking with Bill Brown to recognize his concern for others. This is not the same as the quality of affection described earlier. This is more than Bill caring about those he knows or works with. This is more than thoughtfulness and consideration toward people with whom Bill spends some time. Bill Brown is distressed by what he sees occurring in our culture. He is troubled by the fact that so many have either never heard the truth about God or have been blinded by worldviews that dismiss the possibility of God — our personal, transcendent, loving God. Once more, you will not have to spend much time with Bill to grasp his level of compassion for others. Read his writings and you will immediately see that Bill cares about people; he cares about those for whom most of us feel only revulsion and contempt. He cares about those who exhibit contempt and revulsion toward religion in general and Christianity specifically. Bill cares about — and grieves over — the lives of those trapped by the shackles of nihilism and atheism. He cares about those who reject the deity of Christ and claim to be their own gods. Why is that so rare? Shouldn’t we all be compassionate? Of course we should. Most of us might even claim some level of compassion. But, how do you react when you see an atheist ranting and railing about a Ten Commandments display? Do you first react with derision and disdain? Or, do you first react to the fact that they are simply acting in a way that is entirely consistent with their worldview and, instead of dismissing them with contempt, grieve over the condition of their souls? The compassion that Bill Brown owns and exhibits is also biblical. Jesus was compassionate when he said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37, NIV). He was concerned about the condition of the souls who resided in that great city, and before He confronted their sin and rejection of God, He expressed that compassion. Paul was also a compassionate man. The Bible says that when Paul was in Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry (Acts 17:16, KJV). The words translated in the KJV as “his spirit was stirred in him” literally mean that he was greatly distressed. Paul was distraught; his heart was broken. Why? Because the whole city of Athens was filled with idols. Some believe there were more idols in Athens than there were people. Can you imagine such a place? Bill Brown cannot only imagine such things, he has been in places and with people who are as ensnared in such philosophies as the Athenians were. He recognizes that the issues many people wrestle with, whether called atheism or transcendentalism, are, at their root, issues of idolatry. These souls are lost and are seeking to find themselves. At one extreme, they worship only themselves. At the other, they worship everything, including themselves. And Bill Brown is as “stirred up” about that as Paul was. And the people around him know it. Bill Brown’s affection, brightness, and compassion are what attracted me and the Cedarville University Board of Trustees to him. It was this very rare combination of character qualities that excited the Presidential Search Committee. It is this blend of spirit and heart that is so exciting to the campus community. I believe the selection of Bill Brown as the new president of Cedarville University was a “God- thing.” I believe God has prepared Bill to lead the institution to a higher level of effectiveness and impact. I believe God will accomplish great things through Bill as an individual and as president of Cedarville University as he evidences, on campus and off, his affection, his brightness, and his compassion. Why was Bill Brown chosen as the new president of Cedarville University? It’s as simple as A-B-C. Simple as ... ABC T Compassion