Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / April 15, 2011, edition 1 / Page 4
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Page 4 The Clarion \ April 15,2011 Bearing the Christian flag ^oice of ^ason Bryan Koffman Contributor I have recently been asked to carry tlie Cliristian flag at Commencement this year. Since I am graduating this semester, am seen “as a leader” on campus, and apparently known for my faith in Christ, they thought I was the best candidate. I am honored by the request and thankful for the opportunity to represent Christ, however, I find the concept a little strange. If it weren’t so close the end of the semester, I would consider taking a poll to see how many students actually believe BC is a Christian college. However, for the sake of rhetoric, let me ask you this: How many of you who said you were Christians while touring the college were excitedly informed that BC had FCA, a number of Christian professors, and was Methodist affiliated? How many of you who said you weren’t Christians were assured that it wasn’t really a Christian college and that there is no chapel and that Methodist-affiliated really meant nothing? Yeah, it wasn’t just you. Though we still bear the Methodist affiliation and therefore receive funds from the United Methodist Church as well and award scholarships to students who are members of a UMC, what about us is actually Methodist? We have no chaplain, no chapel, and no oversight of a Church. We have a religious studies program with a Western religious emphasis, however there is no claim to Christian orthodoxy and no Methodist teachings. In fact, none of the professors are Methodists, and only one of them actually claims to be a Christian. Our housing policies certainly don’t accord with Christian chastity, and our religious life center is set aside to be used by all religious and non-religious “faiths.” Our science department, as well as many of the liberal arts professors, seem antagonistic towards Christians and the Christian faith, while many attend the local Unitarian congregation that teaches that all religions are good, beneficial, and probably equally valid. While we still have artifacts of a once Christian school - buildings dedicated to “the Glory of God”, an abandoned Wesley House, a cross in the middle of the residential quad - the Christian faith at Brevard seems nothing more than history. I’m sure we’ll still have some neutral, politically correct prayer at commencement - nothing about Jesus, sin, the cross, eternity, or wrath. During the various speeches we will not be encouraged to steward our educations to the Glory of Christ in light of his gracious, loving salvation. No one will warn us of wasting our lives by serving ourselves at the cost of hell. (If I did hear something like this, I would be delightfully surprised, and would probably remember it to my dying days!) Unfortunately, much like the other Christian artifacts, the flag seems to be little more than a tradition and formality, something that has lost its significance and meaning over the years. Maybe I am wrong. I would certainly like to be proven so. Please don’t misinterpret this; I am incredibly thankful to Brevard College for my years here, and find it an honor that they would select me to carry the Christian flag (though the LORD is my banner Ex. 17:15). I pray that I have been and will continue to be a genuine and worthy representative of Christ. I will bear the flag, knowing that I am responsible to serve my King - my King who died for me - with all that I have been given, including my education. I am just asking, based on the evidence, if the leaders of our school desire to do the same. If they don’t, why do we bear the flag? Senior Staff Editor in Chief . . . . Daniel Heyman IVIanaging Editor . . . Brian Burgess Copy Editor. . . . . . Dave Alexander Photography . . . . . Position Open Faculty Advisor. . . . John B. Padgett Other Staff Parl Baler Alex McCracken Patricl Veiileux Thea Bader 1 Jermichaei Tanner Jordan Tager 1 Scott iVlcCormicl Melissa Sullebarger Sarah Bowers Karam Boeshaar The Clarion is a student-run college newspaper produced by student journalists enrolled at Brevard College. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of re^ective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard College. All correspondence should be mailed to: The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712, or send E-mail to clarion@brevard.edu www.brevard.edu/clarion Y'' m RELAY i FOR UFE 1011 BCfwisters Relay for Life T-Shirt sie.00 for advanced orders* Presale orders end April IS! S11.00 at Relay for Life Event, June 3-4 {v^^^hile they last!) Advance order T-shirts will be ready for pick up at the Brevard College Alumni House after May 9,2011 Please drop off or Send order forms to team members; Ca^y Domer, BC Alumni House, 884-831S Diane Pomphrey, BC Sims Arc, 884-8188 Megan Walters, BC Campus Life/CoItrane, 884-8366 E] Letters Policy The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for length or content. We do not publish anonymous letters or those whose authorship cannot be verified. E-mail: clarion@brevard.edu.
Brevard College Student Newspaper
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April 15, 2011, edition 1
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