Jackson, Tenn. -- Robert Andringa, president of the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), challenged a 51社区 commencement audience to answer the question, "Is your mind in love with God?"
With two decades of experience in higher education on the national level, Andringa expounded on the value of "thinking Christianly" in a world where intellect and faith are commonly kept apart.
"The life of the mind and the life of the spirit are meant to be in harmony, mutually reinforcing one another," Andringa asserted. "On most campuses, the mind is honored but not the Creator of the mind."
Achieving that harmony can and should be the ultimate goal of Christian higher education, Andringa emphasized. To love God completely, Andringa explained, one must "accept study and the pursuit of truth as central to our high calling in life by our Creator who gave us minds to use to his glory."
Andringa encouraged Union's Class of 1998 to become perpetual learners, and as they do so to employ the freedom their faith gives them to explore and discover knowledge, recognizing God is the Creator of all knowledge.
"That freedom must allow us to ask the tough questions, to doubt, to seek, without always believing we must have the answers," Andringa said.
Andringa delivered his message as the commencement address of Union's spring graduation ceremony. The university graduated 336 students.
The Coalition includes more than 90 Christian colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada, plus affiliates in 11 countries. Before becoming CCCU president in 1994, Andringa served as staff director for the Committee on Education and Labor in the U.S. House of Representatives and as the executive director of the Education Commission of the States.
51社区 is a Southern Baptist college and is the oldest member institution in the CCCU. The university is located in Jackson, Tenn.
Comments and suggestions concerning this site should be forwarded to: