Torch, Fall/Winter 2007

Q: Why did Cedarville University choose to respond in the way it did? We believe that God has placed Cedarville where it is today to equip Christian leaders who will be salt and light in the most important and controversial arenas of our day. Whatever the contemporary issue, God’s Word provides timeless truth. Our role as a Christ-centered learning community is to prepare students to skillfully and attractively communicate biblical answers to tough social, political, and cultural problems. We believe that a posture of engagement best positions Cedarville to contribute to the work of the church in the 21 st century. Q: What do you mean by “engagement?” Engaging important social issues means that we face them directly, we listen very 28 TORCH L ast spring Cedarville’s commitment to biblical truth and biblical sexuality caught the attention of Soulforce, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy group. Soulforce came to campus in protest of the University’s policies against homosexual behavior and the promotion of a homosexual lifestyle. While the University did not initiate the contact with Soulforce, we determined to use their protest as an opportunity to equip our students to articulate a biblical approach to sexuality with grace and compassion. Dr. Carl Ruby, vice president for student life, coordinated Cedarville’s response to the Soulforce protest. He reflects on what we as a University family learned about “making the most of an opportunity” and engaging our culture for Jesus Christ. A n Interview with D r. C arl R uby, V ice P resident for S tudent L ife Make the Most of the Opportunity