Friday in Speech Class: and Other Unrelated Thoughts

Something happened in my speech class today that got me thinking about when I first decided to come to KU. I should warn you that this story really has nothing to do with what I am thinking about but it still applies, sort of.

My speech teacher, who I must first say I really like. I think she and I will be friends after this semester because being friends with your teacher while they are your teacher is against the “student code.” Anyway, my teacher was talking about persuasion. She painted this scenario about how you and some of your friends are out on Mass St. tonight. You and your group decided to go to a movie and you really want to see the new romantic comedy and one of your friends wants to see the new sci-fi. What do you do to persuade your friend to see the movie you want? Some of the replies from the class were offer to pay for their ticket, buy them popcorn, or promise to see the sci-fi next time. She was pleased with these responses. Then she posed this question, “Would it ever be alright to lie to persuade someone?” The answer she got from the class of KU students…no.

At this moment I had a million thoughts rush to my head. Oh my goodness, they just said no, which means they believe in a standard of truth, but they would never admit that. And then my thoughts turned to this which is only slightly connected to the above story.

People have said that KU is not honoring to Christ. Sure there are a lot of things that happen here that are not, but there are also a lot of things that are. Today I was thinking of just a few random ones. So I will write an outline that would make my speech teacher proud of how pieces of KU are honoring to Chirst.

I. Campus itself is a reflection of Christ.
-There are times when I am walking to class when I look around and am blow over by the beauty around me. Beautiful building with details that are unnoticeable unless carefully observed, grass that is manicured with seasonal flowers and over 1,000 trees, sweet chimes flowing through campus from the Campanile, and hills that create lookout points and amazing calf muscles.

II. Truth is being sought out.
-Never have I ever seen so many people who are wanting to know and understand the world around them. Often, this quest is misguided and is looking for meaning through being a well-educated person. But nevertheless, people are seeking to know truth and understand what truth is.
-As a part of this truth seeking, many students are hungry for Christ. Some people are meeting Christ at KU, some are learning to follow Christ at KU, some are growing in Christ at KU. Those who are following Christ are being confirmed in their faith by seeing how Christ offers a much better story for their lives than what is going on around them.

III. We are broken.
-Sure, KU is known as a party school. (side note: we did not make it on to the top 20 party school in the US this year for the first time in over 25 years. We should have a party to celebrate...wait, i mean...) Students here have problems and sin in their lives. But most of these problems could be solved with Christ’s love, a 12-step program, and rehab.
-I sound like I am making light of the partying, which I was in jest, but really it is not something that should be made light of. However, students here do have one thing right. They admit that it is a problem. And in this honestly with our sin and problems is where I think KU may be ahead of some of our churchs and Christian institutions.

I warned you my thoughts might not flow together.

KU needs Jesus and grace. The Church needs Jesus and grace. The end.