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A Call to Unity in a Time of Change
By Rachel Wegner 07
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(18) But God made our bodies with many parts, and He has put each part just where He wants it. (19) What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part! (20) Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
(27) Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.
"What a beautiful picture this is that God gives us," Interim President and Provost Dr. Ralph Fagin said during College Weekend chapel on Nov. 7. "I believe that if we understand the human body, we will come to a better understanding of God, our community and ourselves."
Recognizing that there are conflicting views on campus regarding the results of the recent U.S. presidential election, Fagin encouraged the student body, along with hundreds of College Weekend guests, to focus on unity in Christ.
"This is a new day," Fagin said. "What has happened this week in our [presidential] elections is of major historical significance. Whatever your political persuasion, we need to celebrate the fact that a black man has the opportunity to be the president of the United States."
In addition, Fagin exhorted those gathered to approach each other in a biblical, loving way.
"Let's not kid ourselves; we still have progress to make," Fagin said. "Let's make that progress together, as a united nation and as a united people. I know we have differences of opinion in this country, but the Bible is clear. We need to pray for our leaders. Barack Obama will be facing many challenges, and as citizens of this country, we need to rally around him and support him with our efforts and prayers. We can have strong, heartfelt feelings and opinions and explain them and talk to one another in a civil manner."
Fagin continued on to encourage the ORU community to dwell in Christ-like unity, to recognize its diversity and to embrace one another in love. The majority of his address drew heavily from scriptures in 1 Corinthians 12 and 2 Corinthians 5, where the apostle Paul talks of the many parts of the body of Christ and the righteousness and new life God gave His people through the cross. Fagin also drew several parallels between the cellular structure of the human body, explaining how different cells have different functions but are marked with the same DNA.
"Jesus is our DNA, just like in my body," Fagin said. "God permeates every cell in His body, linking us all together in a true organic bond. We need to realize our worth as a body. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We can't afford to let members of body, cells in our community, be estranged to us. Scripture describes how we are one together to advance the kingdom. You do your part, others do their part, then look for God to do His part."
