Dawkins' God Delusion Divorced American ... - Biola University

02 WHAT’S NEW
BIOLA CONNECTIONS ❁ SPRING ’07
CONTENTS
Reflections on
Leaving Biola
Iremember hearing a sermon years ago by Haddon Robinson,
one of the great preachers of our generation. In his
introduction, he referred to Anton Chechov’s play The Cherry
Orchard, which makes the point that the great tragedy of life is
not that men or women get cut down in the prime of life, but that men and
women grow old and they grow old for nothing. When they die, hardly
anyone notices that they are gone.
I don’t think anyone wants this to happen to him or her. We are all
interested in making a difference with our lives. We want to leave a legacy
from which others will benefit.
As I leave this position, I have often been asked what my legacy will
be. This is a very difficult question, as how can one really know? It is a
question best left for others to answer.
However, if you asked me to name one accomplishment for which I
would like to be remembered, it would be that, on my watch, Biola did not
compromise its spiritual commitment — that we have stayed true to the
fundamentals of the Word of God, upon which Biola was founded.
Some have felt that in order for a Christian university to get academic
respectability, you have to sacrifice, or downplay, your original mission.
Yet, Biola has debunked that supposition. I feel that Biola has never been
more respected academically, as evidenced last year by our reaccreditation
from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for
the maximum 10 years. We were also re-accredited for the maximum
length by the Association of Theological Schools (10 years) and the
American Psychological Association (seven years).
While this has happened on my watch, it has been because of the
hundreds of committed, competent and professional men and women
who make up Biola. To them I give my thanks and love.
I close my time at Biola with words from Psalm 78:72: “God
presented David to His people as their shepherd, and he cared for them
with a true heart and skillful hands.” My tenure has been all about God. He
is the One Who presented me to Biola, and I trust that I have cared for
those in my charge with a true heart and skillful hands.
When I was appointed as president in 1982, the former president,
Dr. Samuel Sutherland, said to me, “I think that Biola’s best days are
ahead.” To the Biola community 25 years later, I would say the same. May
God continue to bless you.
CPresident
FEA TURES
Who Do You Trust?
With integrity in short supply, how can we
choose trustworthy leaders?
By Holly Pivec
Worship Leaders Can
Cloud Our Understanding
of God’s Presence
By Daniel Radmacher
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