Fellow students: For 340 of you this is a new experience. For the other 600 it is to some “old hat,” to others “more of the same,” to some the signal which starts the mad race, to others—and we hope a majority—the call to the serious yet exciting challenge of Christian higher education at Dordt College.
It is indeed significant that Dordt came on to the scene at this juncture in human history. When we opened our doors in 1955 little did we know what lay ahead. Now after fifteen years we ought to pause and analyze the situation. These fifteen years of our beginning and growth were years in which some of the most drastic changes in the history of world civilization have taken place.
Drastic changes – Educational institutions have not only played a major role in initiating and stimulating these changes but have also been profoundly affected by them. No facet of human society or organization has been free from the deep disturbances of our times. And in no segment of society has change reflected itself more radically and upredictably than among the youth of high school and college ages.
When educational institutions first noticed the spirit of change characterized by a readiness to reevaluate and rethink the principles and traditions which molded our world, they were encouraged. And there was confidence that the new attitudes and changes in progress held promise for a better society; that these attitudes and changes could be absorbed without crippling our basic social structure. More recently there seems to be less confidence about the outcome of it all. With the avalanche of revolution, racism, riots, rape, drugs—just to mention a few and the accompanying vehement reaction to war, pollution, and the typical American life style, our society appears to have fallen into a state of deep shock.
The question arises whether or not we were prepared for what is now upon us. On all sides there is more groping for light than certainty as to what course of action to take. Some still talk about the excitement and challenge of our times. But there are more who are trembling with fear and anxiety. Not a few are perplexed and bewildered.
Dordt College has not escaped the jarring impact of today’s torrential blasts. No doubt there are those who, comparing us with other campuses, would describe life at Dordt as being relatively subdued and peaceful. Comparatively speaking that may be true—thanks to the stable homes from which our students come and the firm foundation they received in home, church, and school. However, let us not he blind to the influence of our day upon all of us, all our institutions, and particularly upon the youth. At Dordt we should be well aware of these influences and honor the awesome responsibility of assessing the attitudes and concerns of students in the context of today’s world. Our task, however, is to make these assessments as a Christian academic community.
A strategic role – We should be fully conscious of our strategic role as a Christian academic community. With the distinctive philosophical principles, the basic presuppositions, which form the perspective from which we view all of life, we have every reason to believe that we can make a truly significant contribution toward working our way out of the maze of difficulties which burden our world. This requires that Christian scholars discover and utilize the finest tools of learning and research for a more effective performance of the academic task.
We need to develop more inventiveness and imagination in our approach to learning. Even more importantly, we must be willing to take a candid look at ourselves, the manner of life we live, the traditions which have shaped and conditioned our thinking and acting. We must go to the heart of issues, honestly inquiring where we as Christian educators may have failed in our calling and where we may have contributed to the problems which engulf all of us. We must struggle together in search for positive answers to current pressing problems. Facing the more fierce reaction of some youth we ought to be prepared to do some real soul-searching and be wise enough to accept whatever truth there is in their protests while at the same time patiently but firmly helping them to recognize and abandon whatever is unacceptable in their thinking and life style. Furthermore, a spirit of meekness, of patience, of love, of trust, and a wholesome esteem for one another as teachers and students should characterize our relationships. There ought to be evident among us as academicians—both faculty and students—the obedience required of the Lord.
Unwholesome polarization – We stress these things not only because of the present situation in our world and its impact upon all of tiS, but also because our campus reflects to a certain degree in style, patterns of thought, and pressure groups that which is strange to some, obnoxious to others, refreshing to some, stifling to others, meaningful to some, nonsense to others. We believe that this type of testing and tension has had a salutary effect upon us as a higher educational institution.
as a higher educational institution. Dordt has really become alive. Let us not overly react to this. What does constitute a real danger, however, is that one or another group representing a given stamp of thought demandingly and presumptuously parades as the apostles of truth. This could lead to an unwholesome polarization and to the creation of camps on our campus. Then emotions rather than reason will prevail resulting in hasty condemnations, unfounded name calling, and a spirit which jeopardizes responsible and purposeful academic activity even on a Christian college campus. We must allow the true academic process to take its rightful course through proper communal scholarship. Then truth will be separated from falsehood; and should there be persistent advocates of the latter, which is unlikely, they will have to face the inevitable consequences. But it must not be forgotten that there is a large area of life where difference of opinion and life style are allowable within the framework of our basic commitments.
This does not commit us to the position of neutrality. For even in areas where difference of opinion is allowable, it is always conditioned by the law of love, the goal of glorifying God, and the awareness that we are accountable to the Lord. I am confident that, once we have adjusted to the upheaval all around us, struggling in the rough waters of change, we as faculty and students will find each other more firmly bound together in our deepest desires and convictions. Our academic life should be much the better for it and our service to God and man more clearly understood and more effectively implemented.
Up-to-date, but not offensive – I stated to the freshmen on Wednesday that our slogan might well be -up-to-date, but not offensive. I mean offense in the biblical sense as spoken by Paul in I Corinthians, chapter 10:32, 33: “Give no offense, neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” Paul is obviously concerned with the so-called adiaphora—indifferent things—what we eat, drink, wear, how we conduct ourselves. Don’t give offense. This is the spirit that should accompany our witness to the Gospel of the Kingdom, which Gospel may not be compromised.
Here at Dordt we have the kind of faculty and students that can and ought to turn the world upside down—not by clinging to the past, nor by categorically rejecting the past, but by living in the present as the scribe, whom Jesus recommends, who out of his household treasury brings forth things new and old.
Christian life-style – In closing I want to read the life style which Paul holds before the Christians in Rome (Rom. 12:6-21).
So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to preach God’s message, we must do it according to the faith that we have. If it is to serve, we must serve. If it is to teach, we must teach. If it is to encourage others, we must do so. Whoever shares what he has with others, must do it generously; whoever has authority, must work hard; whoever shows kindness to others, must do it cheerfully.
Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as brothers in Christ, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard, and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy brothers, and open your homes to strangers.
Ask God to bless those who persecute you; yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Show the same spirit toward all alike. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.
If someone does evil to you, do not pay him back with evil. Try to do what all men consider to be good. Do everything possible, on your part, to live at peace with all men. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s wrath do it. For Scripture says: “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” Instead, as the Scripture says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good (TEV). God grant that this life-style may be reflected in our academic activity and in all our relationships at Dordt College.
Bernard J. Haan, president at Dordt College, in Sioux Center, Iowa, delivered the following Convocation Address at the opening of the new season at that school in September 1970.
It is indeed significant that Dordt came on to the scene at this juncture in human history. When we opened our doors in 1955 little did we know what lay ahead. Now after fifteen years we ought to pause and analyze the situation. These fifteen years of our beginning and growth were years in which some of the most drastic changes in the history of world civilization have taken place.
Drastic changes – Educational institutions have not only played a major role in initiating and stimulating these changes but have also been profoundly affected by them. No facet of human society or organization has been free from the deep disturbances of our times. And in no segment of society has change reflected itself more radically and upredictably than among the youth of high school and college ages.
When educational institutions first noticed the spirit of change characterized by a readiness to reevaluate and rethink the principles and traditions which molded our world, they were encouraged. And there was confidence that the new attitudes and changes in progress held promise for a better society; that these attitudes and changes could be absorbed without crippling our basic social structure. More recently there seems to be less confidence about the outcome of it all. With the avalanche of revolution, racism, riots, rape, drugs—just to mention a few and the accompanying vehement reaction to war, pollution, and the typical American life style, our society appears to have fallen into a state of deep shock.
The question arises whether or not we were prepared for what is now upon us. On all sides there is more groping for light than certainty as to what course of action to take. Some still talk about the excitement and challenge of our times. But there are more who are trembling with fear and anxiety. Not a few are perplexed and bewildered.
Dordt College has not escaped the jarring impact of today’s torrential blasts. No doubt there are those who, comparing us with other campuses, would describe life at Dordt as being relatively subdued and peaceful. Comparatively speaking that may be true—thanks to the stable homes from which our students come and the firm foundation they received in home, church, and school. However, let us not he blind to the influence of our day upon all of us, all our institutions, and particularly upon the youth. At Dordt we should be well aware of these influences and honor the awesome responsibility of assessing the attitudes and concerns of students in the context of today’s world. Our task, however, is to make these assessments as a Christian academic community.
A strategic role – We should be fully conscious of our strategic role as a Christian academic community. With the distinctive philosophical principles, the basic presuppositions, which form the perspective from which we view all of life, we have every reason to believe that we can make a truly significant contribution toward working our way out of the maze of difficulties which burden our world. This requires that Christian scholars discover and utilize the finest tools of learning and research for a more effective performance of the academic task.
We need to develop more inventiveness and imagination in our approach to learning. Even more importantly, we must be willing to take a candid look at ourselves, the manner of life we live, the traditions which have shaped and conditioned our thinking and acting. We must go to the heart of issues, honestly inquiring where we as Christian educators may have failed in our calling and where we may have contributed to the problems which engulf all of us. We must struggle together in search for positive answers to current pressing problems. Facing the more fierce reaction of some youth we ought to be prepared to do some real soul-searching and be wise enough to accept whatever truth there is in their protests while at the same time patiently but firmly helping them to recognize and abandon whatever is unacceptable in their thinking and life style. Furthermore, a spirit of meekness, of patience, of love, of trust, and a wholesome esteem for one another as teachers and students should characterize our relationships. There ought to be evident among us as academicians—both faculty and students—the obedience required of the Lord.
Unwholesome polarization – We stress these things not only because of the present situation in our world and its impact upon all of tiS, but also because our campus reflects to a certain degree in style, patterns of thought, and pressure groups that which is strange to some, obnoxious to others, refreshing to some, stifling to others, meaningful to some, nonsense to others. We believe that this type of testing and tension has had a salutary effect upon us as a higher educational institution.
as a higher educational institution. Dordt has really become alive. Let us not overly react to this. What does constitute a real danger, however, is that one or another group representing a given stamp of thought demandingly and presumptuously parades as the apostles of truth. This could lead to an unwholesome polarization and to the creation of camps on our campus. Then emotions rather than reason will prevail resulting in hasty condemnations, unfounded name calling, and a spirit which jeopardizes responsible and purposeful academic activity even on a Christian college campus. We must allow the true academic process to take its rightful course through proper communal scholarship. Then truth will be separated from falsehood; and should there be persistent advocates of the latter, which is unlikely, they will have to face the inevitable consequences. But it must not be forgotten that there is a large area of life where difference of opinion and life style are allowable within the framework of our basic commitments.
This does not commit us to the position of neutrality. For even in areas where difference of opinion is allowable, it is always conditioned by the law of love, the goal of glorifying God, and the awareness that we are accountable to the Lord. I am confident that, once we have adjusted to the upheaval all around us, struggling in the rough waters of change, we as faculty and students will find each other more firmly bound together in our deepest desires and convictions. Our academic life should be much the better for it and our service to God and man more clearly understood and more effectively implemented.
Up-to-date, but not offensive – I stated to the freshmen on Wednesday that our slogan might well be -up-to-date, but not offensive. I mean offense in the biblical sense as spoken by Paul in I Corinthians, chapter 10:32, 33: “Give no offense, neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” Paul is obviously concerned with the so-called adiaphora—indifferent things—what we eat, drink, wear, how we conduct ourselves. Don’t give offense. This is the spirit that should accompany our witness to the Gospel of the Kingdom, which Gospel may not be compromised.
Here at Dordt we have the kind of faculty and students that can and ought to turn the world upside down—not by clinging to the past, nor by categorically rejecting the past, but by living in the present as the scribe, whom Jesus recommends, who out of his household treasury brings forth things new and old.
Christian life-style – In closing I want to read the life style which Paul holds before the Christians in Rome (Rom. 12:6-21).
So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to preach God’s message, we must do it according to the faith that we have. If it is to serve, we must serve. If it is to teach, we must teach. If it is to encourage others, we must do so. Whoever shares what he has with others, must do it generously; whoever has authority, must work hard; whoever shows kindness to others, must do it cheerfully.
Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as brothers in Christ, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard, and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy brothers, and open your homes to strangers.
Ask God to bless those who persecute you; yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Show the same spirit toward all alike. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.
If someone does evil to you, do not pay him back with evil. Try to do what all men consider to be good. Do everything possible, on your part, to live at peace with all men. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s wrath do it. For Scripture says: “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” Instead, as the Scripture says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good (TEV). God grant that this life-style may be reflected in our academic activity and in all our relationships at Dordt College.
Bernard J. Haan, president at Dordt College, in Sioux Center, Iowa, delivered the following Convocation Address at the opening of the new season at that school in September 1970.