By Sophie Gage, CIU Student Writer
One of Columbia International University’s five core values, the Authority of Scripture, got an entire week of chapels devoted to its significance this spring semester. These chapels explored key questions that Christians have about their faith and how the Scriptures address them. The week ended with a prayer day on Thursday that emphasized community, awareness of the body of Christ around the world, and departmental fellowship on campus.
The speaker for Authority of Scripture week was CIU’s very own Dr. TK Dunn, associate professor of history and theology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He began the first chapel of the week by bringing stark attention to the state of crisis in the world, and the question this inevitably brings: “Who am I in the midst of all this chaos?” However, rather than end with this question, Dunn asks a second, more daunting and yet more pivotal question that must not be ignored in the face of a violent world: “According to the authoritative Scripture, who has [God] said that I am?”
Dunn eloquently revealed that Scripture has told humanity that we are a reflection and representation of God that has been defaced by sin yet restored through Christ. No matter how broken you may feel, “He’s not done with you yet,” Dunn reminded the students.
The second chapel continued Dunn’s main idea, extrapolating on the truth that Christians are children of God through adoption. The significance of this is that believers are as loved by God as Jesus Christ himself was, which is an honor bestowed that no one could deserve or truly comprehend. Although wayward children because of sin, we are still children of God because of His great love.
Prayer Day on Thursday began with coffee and donuts outside of Shortess Chapel. A devotion was given by Dr. Ed Smither, dean of the School of Missions and Intercultural Ministry, followed by a time of worship music and break-out prayer with students’ respective community groups.
In the third and final chapel, Dunn discussed the significance of worship in accordance with Scripture: God deserves worship, has instructed His people how to worship, has developed His people to worship, and dwells in His people which brings about worship. He ended by exhorting the students to live with the knowledge that they do not just go on mission when they graduate but are already on mission.
See the Authority of Scripture Week Chapel messages on CIU’s YouTube channel or listen on Spotify.
Higher learning. Deeper faith. A Christ-centered community on campus and online. Request Info | Apply | Give
