Campus Craziness

It seems like every year there is some new debatable issue on our campus. Last Year's controversy was whether or not Jesus could have sinned if he had chosen to do so. Some people believed he could not sin because he was 100% God, and God cannot sin. Still others viewed that Christ could have sinned because he was also 100% man while he was on this earth, and Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Personally, I feel like Christ had the ability to sin if he wanted to, but he didn't...end of story. That was my junior year. My sophomore year's topic was a little less theological. What girl was going to date David Heffren? It seems unimportant, but all the girls on campus thought it was a big deal. David was even mentioned in a journal kept by one of the Girl's dorms and how he deserves some hot nice Christian girl (For more research on this topic see http://dheffren.blogspot.com/2008/11/bystander-effect.html). Unfortunately, David is still single and the debate rages on.

Now in my senior year, the campus is buzzing with the latest controversial topic...Pacifism. A few days ago in Chapel Terry Bowland, a New Testament/Evangelism Professor, spoke on a name of God found in Scripture. This name is not discussed very often. In fact, I had no clue what it meant. Lord Sabaoth. This name for God carries with it the meaning of Warrior or power. It is found mainly in the Old Testament, and it describes how the LORD is the Lord of the Heavenly Hosts, angel armies. Bowland's main thought of his sermon was that God is not a Pacifist. And no matter if you think war is good or Christians should or should not fight, you cannot disagree with the fact that God is not passive. God is going to unleash his wrath and anger against the evil in this world.

During Bowland's sermon, several students just got out of their seats and left. Terry Bowland is a great guy, and he has certain opinions that he isn't afraid to be made known. He let everyone know at the beginning of his sermon that he was not a pacifist and God was not either. He also said something along the lines of "Pinko fascist commies" in regards to pacifists. He was obviously joking and most people laughed it off. Along with his remark, Bowland also had a picture on the overhead of Jesus with a machine gun in hand. This apparently offended some people, and they hastily grabbed their backpacks and walked straight out of the chapel. I will admit that the picture was a little out of line, but Bowland did not mean anything wrong by it...he just wanted a couple of laughs.

I tell you all of this because people on this campus are making a big deal out of his sermon. Professors are writing blogs in response. Guys are in the dorms staying up late in the night debating whether or not pacifism is correct. Personally, I grew up in a very conservative home, so I have never questioned war. I always thought pacifism was for panzies who were picked last in dodgeball. Now the purpose of this blog is not to debate pacifism, because I'm sure there are other students who are doing that very thing. I just want to say that I think healthy debate is great, but it is wrong when disrespect enters the arena.

Many people got up in the middle of Terry Bowland's sermon and left. That equals disrespect. This man has two Master degrees and a Doctorate degree. He has done more things for the Kingdom than me, and he is more learned on the Bible than myself. Who am I to walk out on his sermon? I just want to say that I love everyone here at Ozark, even if we disagree on some issues. Some of the people who were outraged by Bowland's sermon also have no respect for the Government. These people bash the United States over and over again. And granted, the United States is not a holy nation that always follows the directives of God, but we are told to respect the government and its authority (Romans 13)

I guess it all comes down to this: We should obey the authority of our government as long as God remains the ultimate authority. The people who disagree with me...i still love them, and I don't think this issue is something that needs to divide the church. We already have enough problems as it is. So will this debate ever be settled? Probably not. But ladies there is one debate you can put an end to...and that is the David Heffren situation. You can do it. Please.