Torch, Spring/Summer 2012

impossible, yet there is no excuse to let a secular culture carry the weight of public discussion. Thoughtful, informed, and Christ-centered dialogue leading to action is a powerful apologetic for the Gospel. Take for example, the Clapham Sect in late 18th century England. With engaging figures such as politician WilliamWilberforce, playwright Hannah More, and mathematician William Dealtry, the group put their Christian priorities into practice by providing education for needy children and reforming England’s abusive prison system. Their most well-known efforts were directed against the slave trade. For decades they widely debated the ungodly practice and raised the moral issues that had been publicly ignored. In this spirit, Cedarville began a series of public conversations about significant, sometimes controversial, issues. Under the leadership of Dr. Carl Ruby, vice president for student life, the Critical Concern Series has provided a forum for Christians to talk about issues of cultural importance. Our most recent in the series — last fall’s G92 Immigration Conference — brought Christian leaders together from across the country to discuss the complex immigration issue and its legal, social, and economic dimensions. How do these converge with the spiritual dimension? How can our response communicate to a divided and angry culture that God’s truth and love are transforming? G92 speakers came from a wide range of evangelical Christianity. Admittedly, not every speaker and participant agreed on the causes and cures of immigration in general and illegal immigration in particular. But after two days there was a sense of unity and purpose on key points and actions. The conversations from the G92 conference grew and became a national discussion. Reports of the event appeared in national media, and a follow-up conference was recently held at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Other similar conferences are scheduled for later this year. The conversation among participants focused not only on immigration but the need for continued prayerful conversation: “Why don’t Christians talk together like this more often?” We need not fear losing our individual convictions when we unite to speak and act in ways that represent Christ. We just need to keep two biblical truths in mind. First, Christians disagree about a lot of things. The myth that there is one right position on every subject paralyzes substantive Christian dialogue. First century Christians differed about practical issues such as the proper day for worship (Rom. 14:5–8), vegetarian diets (Rom. 14:1–22), eating meat offered in pagan rituals (1 Cor. 10:23–33), and more. The only “right answer” Paul gave believers was that it is okay to disagree. He urged them to maintain a Christ-centered mind and a gracious awareness of others’ views. Second, Christians agree about the most important things. Disagreements among Christians are rather minor in the larger scheme of worldviews and world religions. Christians speak with one voice about the basic truths of God creating and supervising the universe, revealing His character and will through Christ and the Scriptures, and the sufficiency of Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation. We maintain our personal doctrinal commitments while linking arms to serve Christ. We will know we are on the right path when the world can say, “Look how they love one another. Look how they love us.” Dr. William E. Brown has served as president of Cedarville University since 2003. He received his B.A. in mathematics from the University of South Florida and his Th.M. in theology and Ph.D. in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has written three books on worldview. Spring-Summer 2012 | TORCH 3