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JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 21, 2015 — Christians in the United States are entering a time of significant testing and must respond to coming trials with courage, 51���� President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said Aug. 21.

“At one time, being a Christian was a relatively easy thing. It was beneficial for one’s reputation,” Oliver said. “But for the most part, that easy, cheap grace, cultural Christianity is going to die on the vine.”

Oliver addressed students, faculty and staff during the annual fall convocation service in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel that officially launches the fall semester. Provost C. Ben Mitchell introduced 10 faculty members who are either new to the university or have new roles this academic year.

Oliver said any social advantages to being a Christian are rapidly drying up and have been gone in places like Los Angeles and New York for many years.

“When the big challenges come and we have to decide where we stand and what we are going to do, we will have our turn in the crucible,” he said. “We will feel the fire burning away our impurities. Some of us will suffer with great hopes of emerging like fine gold at the end of the trial.”

Oliver encouraged students, when they are faced with challenges because of their faith, to be men and women of courage. Courage doesn’t always happen instinctively, he said, but must often be cultivated.

“For that reason, it is important to know who we want to be and, more important, who God wants us to be and then decide ahead of time what principles will guide our conduct,” he said.

The Union president said courage is a byproduct of trusting in God, his love and his will – and to help cultivate courage, it is beneficial to anticipate what challenges might arise.

He asked students who they wanted to be when they are questioned about their beliefs, when someone is being bullied, when they face a crisis with an unborn child or a special needs baby, when they’ve made a promise that becomes disadvantageous to keep, when their boss orders them to do something that conflicts with their faith and their conscience. Or when the government orders them to do the same.

“If you want to have the courage of your convictions when the time of testing comes, the time to think and pray about it is now,” Oliver said. “It is important to try and answer those questions before you are tested by feelings of fear, panic and surprise.”

Courage may be costly, Oliver noted, and may extract a psychological or even a physical toll. But it’s necessary to advance the cause of the gospel – a message of good news, but not a message that everyone wants to hear, because the gospel is convicting and exposes the reality of sin in everyone’s life.

Because of that, Oliver said some may lack the courage to speak the gospel in all of its fullness and instead be tempted to “trim our sails so as to avoid becoming a target.”

But Christians should avoid the lure to take the less demanding path just for the sake of ease.

“Instead, we should examine ourselves,” Oliver said. “We should think and act courageously and therefore increase our chances of correctly dividing truth and error.”

Oliver closed by citing Union’s theme verse for 2015-2016, Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

“We are entering our time of testing,” he said. “May we be found obedient – true to God and to his holy word. May we be courageous.”

The full address can be seen at .