Torch, Summer 2002

2 TORCH / Summer 2002 Editor Dr. Martin Clark Managing Editor Roger Overturf Associate Editor Kara Steinman Proofreaders Martha Baldwin Monica Bowen Senior Designer Michael Bieniek Photo Editor Scott Huck Cedarville Torch Vol. 24, No. 2, Summer 2002 Published by Cedarville University Dr. Paul Dixon, President NO PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS Cedarville Torch is published for alumni and friends of Cedarville University. Direct comments and requests for extra copies to: Managing Editor Cedarville Torch 251 N. Main St. Cedarville, OH 45314 937-766-7808 pr@cedarville.edu www.cedarville.edu ISSN 1093-4618 Follow the Romans Road to Salvation! Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 10:9-13 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ur recently completed school year was my most memorable as president. My family and I rode the roller coaster of emotions common to all Americans following the tragic events of September 11. We wept for victims, cheered the heroic labors of public safety workers, and proudly wear flags even today to support the defenders of freedom who wage the war against terrorism here and abroad. Added to that emotional chaos was my announcement that this coming academic year would be my last as president. Pat and I prepared ourselves for years for this transition, but the reality of its imminence has still proven unnerving. Our hearts were sent soaring again as the University board of trustees announced their unanimous selection of Dr. William Brown as Cedarville University’s next president. The emotional upheaval reminded me of how providential it was that “Transforming Culture with Christlike Compassion” was our 2001-2002 theme. What better response could we have, as an institution or as individuals, than to recommit ourselves to positively affecting a shattered culture with the truth of Jesus Christ? Of course, the answer is “none”— there is no hope for this institution, our society, or the world at large apart from the grace of Jesus Christ. America, for a brief period of time, appeared to recognize that. It seemed that God Himself had opened the eyes and ears of millions of Americans who spent decades shutting Him out of their lives. Although that recognition seems to have faded recently, it should cheer us that the “God-shaped hole” in the hearts of men and women has not been artificially filled. Our efforts are not pointless. We do have a message to tell the nations—including our own. And our compassion for the people of this world, even though they may not be like us or behave as we believe they should, must not fade. This issue of Torch , titled “Compassion Outside the Comfort Zone,” is designed to challenge us all to accept our responsibilities as Christ’s ambassadors to intentionally reach beyond those borders of our own affinities. God help us to show His compassion to our needy culture. Paul Dixon President O Comfort Zone m The Emotional