Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 19, No. 8. July 1, 1955
EU President Explains Purpose of Mission
EU President Explains Purpose of Mission
Fellow Student,
As you will probably know it is this next week, straight after study, week, that Dr. Howard Guinness, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., is to visit the university at the invitation of the Evangelical Union.
You might well ask, why have members of the EU gone to this trouble of inviting a man to speak on Christianity, spending their time and money in planning and staging meetings, when after all, most people are not interested anyway. Surely if they want to do something of good why not give their money and time to those who need it—the destitute and homeless.
Purpose
We do realise that many students are not interested in the content of the christian faith. We do acknowledge our responsibility to alleviate the physical sufferings of fellow men and women, yet still we maintain that we have a greater responsibility to you our fellow students to present clearly the great truths contained in the christian message. This then is our purpose in inviting Dr. Guinness to the College—to give to every student the opportunity of hearing a reasonable setting forth of the christian gospel.
Why this Fuss?
But then, you will ask, why so much fuss over these so called great truths of Christianity? After all, it's been recognised for many years now that Jonah didn't really swallow the whale, and as for suggesting the world was made over the weekend—well that's too fast altogether. Why then persist in this deluded belief that the christian faith can aid us in our search for scientific truth—to reveal both the secrets of the atom and the paradoxes of the Universe, in our desire for understanding of ourselves and fellow peoples? Why persist in the claim that folk-lore and mythology can give us the answers that we seek?
What is Truth?
But no, pause for a moment—answer this question, what form of knowledge or truth are you seeking? Is it in the form of a mathematical solution to an equation which will unlock the physical mysteries of the Universe—or is it a philosophical notion or idea from which as base you may conquer all the intellectual difficulties of the world of thought? Or perhaps your goal is the finding of a counter to the ravages on mankind, or the finding of an escape from the seeming inevitability of war ?
These things contribute, you may say; yet the truth for which I seek cannot be explained in these alone. One cannot define it clearly, but I rather hope to realise it when achieved.
Here then is where Christianity makes its strongest claim. For 2000 years it has categorically stated that the Truth we seek is contained in the knowing of a person—Jesus Christ . . . God—yet became man. Crucified—yet living today. Truth which is not set apart from life or living but truth revealed in a person whom we as christians know to be the source of all life.
Still Problems
Certainly we who are EU members do not claim to have naively solved the many problems—intellectual, social and spiritual—of the world today. But we are sure that as Christians we have achieved through knowing Christ, an order and purpose in our lives as students. Humbly we make the claim to have the key which sets free from the bondage of spiritual frustration, and releases from the dismay of intellectual bafflement.
Fair Consideration
It is true that if you are genuine in your desire to gain knowledge and understanding, you cannot do less than give a fair-minded consideration to the message of the christian gospel—its claims are too great to be honestly Ignored.
Discussions
We invite you to attend the lecture of Dr. Guinness, both to hear and discuss with him the evidence supporting the truths of Christianity. The many meetings arranged will give to you the opportunity to discuss and decide for yourself whether or not these things be true.