Undergraduate Chapel: Spring 2014 [Video]

David Kinnaman addresses the cultural trends that have caused the majority of young people to leave the church. He urges his audience to have the courage to be pure and proximate as Daniel was in Babylon. This, he says, is the way to show culture that church is transcendent and long-standing.

After an introduction from President Barry Corey, Provost and Senior Vice President David P. Nystrom delivers the Spring 2013 Convocation address. He explains that the ultimate will of God is to unite humanity under the love of Jesus.

Spoken Word Poetry (Fall 2012) / Cameron Gardiner

Meeting God in Silence / Lisa Igram

All-University Christmas Chapel 2012 / Barry H. Corey

Thinking Outside the Bubble / Barry H. Corey

Kathleen Doyle speaks to students about the challenges they are likely to face when going home during interterm. She encourages them to seek after the fullness that comes with God's kingdom on earth. She addresses issues of maturation that students will face returning to stable home environments, as well as issues of conflict that students will face returning to more difficult situations.

The Spiritual Development Staff lead students in a time of prayer and reflection regarding personal calling, purpose, and decision making. They ask students to consider whether they are seeking God's will in all of their decisions and remind them that security in the love of Christ is the proper posture for discernment. Dr. Todd Pickett leads students in a time of confession, and Lisa Igram encourages students with the truth that God wants to be with his people in their decisions.

Ivan Chung describes African Ubuntu Theology and its emphasis on community, rather than individualism. He explains the Ubuntu ideas that to be is to belong and that an individual is defined by his or her connection to the community. Looking at these concepts, he urges his audience to maintain a global perspective of Christianity and engage cultures that are different from the majority to deepen their faith.

Dr. Scott Rae continues his discussion of contemporary issues, focusing on cultural perception of truth. He shows that, in the past, morality was seen as absolute and unchanging, while today it is often confused as a matter of preference. With a quick exercise, Dr. Rae helps his audience understand the difference between personal preference and objective truth. He reminds his audience that ultimately, objective truth will point people to God and the gospel.

Only God Knows Our Heart / Murray S. Decker

Dr. Scott Rae addresses the common cultural attitude of moral relativism. He describes the incoherency of such a view and shares some of his and others' experiences presenting moral absolutism to students and peers. Dr. Rae explains that in the midst of an incoherent cultural view of ethics, Christians have a beautiful opportunity to witness with their commitment to absolute values and ultimately lead people to the gospel.

Dr. Richard Langer looks at the life of Daniel and the longevity of his role in Babylon to draw important lessons for modern Christians. He emphasizes the value of ordinary things in the lives of Christians, since extraordinary events are often few and far between. Dr. Langer notes three key characteristics of Daniel that Christians should emulate: he allowed God to be the one to exalt and humble others, he worked with a standard of excellence and righteousness, and he proclaimed God by name in opposition to his culture.

The Spiritual Development staff lead students in reflection on Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee's message on technology overuse the previous Monday. The staff examine Jesus' temptations in the wilderness to see how they relate to the problems that arise with technology. The staff relate Jesus' temptation to turn stones to bread with Christians' temptation to be filled by technology, Jesus' temptation to test God and prove fame with Christians' temptation to find identity online, and Jesus' temptation to shortcut relation with his people and Christians' temptation to shortcut personal contact.

Student leaders from Christian Formation and Ministry share their thoughts and experience regarding prayer. Natalie Yu discusses openness and honesty in prayer and encourages her audience to allow God to meet them where they are. Mat Longinow urges listeners to persevere in learning to discern the voice of God, even though mistakes will be made. To close, Alyssa Trammell reminds her audience of the value of corporate prayer, which can provide strength for those feeling weak.