By Avary Randall, student news writer, Office of Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Ray Hollenbach, assistant professor of theology, spoke recently at Campbellsville University’s chapel service in Ransdell Chapel about the distance between us and God.
He begins by discussing Acts 17 and a man named Paul. Paul’s journey eventually took him to Athens, the birthplace of Western democracy and higher education.
Hollenbach says Athens is a metaphor for Campbellsville University. A Christian liberal arts college is where faith meets academics.
“I think faith and higher learning are in dialogue with one another, and we get that dialogue here on this campus,” Hollenbach says.
Hollenbach reminded everyone in attendance they were brought to Campbellsville University for a reason.
“When you came here, you were part of God’s grand plan and design,” Hollenbach said.
He asked if any of us went through a period of adjustment when they came to Campbellsville University, and he also asked if any of us feel like God plays hide-and-seek.
“If you think that, maybe you don’t have the right idea of who God is because God’s intention is to be found,” Hollenbach noted.
While the Apostle Paul is in Athens, he delivers a speech. In Acts 17, Paul says, “He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.”
Hollenbach expands on Paul’s message. It was God’s idea for cultures and boundaries of countries. Humanity’s differences would cause people to seek Him, Hollenbach noted.
“If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in whatever setting you’re in, God is behind that because he wants you to cry out to Him, and the good news is the testimony of all Scripture is, ‘If You seek me with all your heart, I will be found,” he said.
“The diversity of cultures, even the boundaries of countries, are God’s idea. He purposed it. It’s his intention. It’s his idea so it would cause us to seek Him.”
“What’s the distance between you and God? He says, ‘If you seek me, I’ll make sure that you’ll see me. Isn’t that so good?”
Hollenbach pointed out God is not far from each of us.
Hollenbach also said, “Whatever you are going through, God’s intention is to be close to each one of you. Don’t exempt yourself from the love of God. If God doesn’t make sense, that’s OK. He still wants to be close to you.”
Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through various informative speakers and presentations.
The public is invited to all chapels this semester.
Chapels can be viewed on YouTube by searching “Campbellsville University Chapel Playlist.” Chapels can also be found on the Campbellsville University Facebook page and are broadcast on WLCU (Comcast Cable channel 10 and digital channel 15) Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.