Sider presented dynamic challenge

The EMU administration needs to be affirmed for inviting Dr. Ron Sider to the campus as the speaker for this year's Augsburger lectureship. His Friday morning (October 31) chapel address, Living Like Jesus, was a dynamic challenge for all of us.

Sider's presentation gave us a wholistic view of God's holiness and redeeming love. His call for commitment to keep our marriage vows was a practical way to both fulfill God's creation plan and give witness to the task of carrying out the mission of Jesus.

Sider's forceful witness of integrity in the marriage relationship was well stated to an audience that has choices concerning a God designed relationship with the opposite sex in their future. Those of us that have experienced the joy and beauty of marriage for many years will want to continue a disciplined love to make it even better. He was right when he noted that the major component for quality of life among the human race is determined in relation its moral choices and commitment to maintain faithfulness in marriage relationships.

The address was a good reminder that we must keep Jesus Christ as Lord of all of life. Living for Jesus is not a private affair. We must give an open witness to the world that the genuine Christian life is much more than having a religion.

Thanks again for this meaningful campus event. Even in my retirement years I needed a fresh challenge to keep the cutting edge of the Gospel sharp with both evangelism and social action.