STILLPOINT Archive: last updated 04/23/2013
“The plasticity of the human soul,” writes Dean of Chapel Greg Carmer, “presents us with a most wonderful and terrible aspect of life: that with every moment we give ourselves to forces that slowly transform us either into the beauty of persons made new in the image of the invisible God, or into grotesque distortions of creatures in whom God’s image is defaced.”
Gordon’s second annual DEEP FAITH week, held February 11 to 13, gave students, faculty and staff the opportunity to critically assess what absorbs their time and attention, and to invite the Holy Spirit to inspect their ways. Over these days, the Gordon community prayed specifically that we would “know the hope to which God has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph. 1:18–19).
Dr. Richard Mouw (the president of Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, who is pictured at right with President Lindsay) and Rev. Dr. Clive Calver (third photo), pastor of Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, Connecticut, were among us, opening the Scriptures, leading us in prayer, and directing us towards a renewal of loving God with all of our hearts, souls, strength and minds.
Dr. Mouw, who noted that “some of my most serious struggles with faith took place in precisely this kind of context,” led four sessions spanning themes as far-ranging as divine authority, the problem of over-intellectualizing faith, and the need to contribute to the fullness of God’s creation. During his last session, Mouw addressed students’ questions, which included “How can we deal with the exclusivity of Christianity?” and “How does one properly integrate reason with faith?” (watch video)
Dr. Calver shared his experience as one of the first civilians on the scene of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy. (watch video). He addressed the inevitable question, posed by members of his church: Why does God allow such catastrophes to occur? Calver counseled that believers must face the realities of this world and through them, God gives us an opportunity to grow closer to Him.
