Preaching on campus should be informed

I appreciate that there’s room at IU for public discourse, difference and demonstration of various viewpoints. We must consider every idea on its merits, in class or outside, and resist the temptation to discount any idea that might seem unreasonable.

Accordingly, commentary regarding the “Woodburn preacher” seem to be a little uninformed. His references to Nazi organizations and DNA connections to early Hebraic/Jewish ancestry are certainly fringe and a bit inconsistent. However, many points he raised are integral to the beliefs of a majority.

Understandably, Christians proclaim the love of God, and a message that leaves out either love or consequences is an unbalanced one. He could’ve just as easily added that he knows there are sinners on campus because he is one.

God tells us, “There is none righteous.” Apostle Paul called himself “chiefest of sinners.” I am a sinner, and regardless of your station, goodness, helpfulness, power, authority, wealth, philanthropy, whatever, you are a sinner.

The right question is: Are you a forgiven sinner? On this point, “Woodburn man” was correct. Jesus tells us that most will refuse his gift of forgiveness, so it’s reasonable most people would refuse him.

Mother Teresa is a remarkable case. I don’t know her position on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, but if she didn’t accept it purely as a sinner, she could certainly be in hell, in spite of all her good works. God doesn’t work through personal accomplishment. He works only through recognition of what Jesus has done and who he is. Otherwise, we’d have to exclude people incapable of doing good for others. God refuses such exclusivity.

If the answer is not that Jesus was the son of God, born miraculously, living perfection in all ways, gave his life willingly to be crucified, and rose from the dead in 3 days, all to pay for your wretched condition, you too are headed for hell. Jesus loves us greatly, but we have a choice to make: to accept his gift and blessings. Pride in self won’t do. Jesus, you are my messiah.

David House
IU staff