To Our University Community,
The calendar year is drawing to a close and, in the northern hemisphere, that means the days are growing shorter and the nights longer. It is no surprise that in all of human history and in all cultures, darkness engenders fear. In darkness, we cannot see where we are going. We might stumble and fall. Out of the darkness, someone can sneak up on us, unseen. What seems like a hand scratching to open the window in the dead of night is revealed to be simply an outstretched tree branch in the morning. That is why throughout history, light is the image for safety, wisdom, and knowledge.
The very first thing God created, according to the first chapter of the Bible, is light. 鈥淎nd God said, 鈥楲et there be light;鈥� and there was light.鈥� All is in chaos and darkness, 鈥渢he earth was a formless void, and darkness covered the face of the deep,鈥� yet God brought all of that into order and clarity. The Gospel of John uses that same imagery to describe the coming of Jesus into the world: 鈥淚n the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 鈥hat has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.鈥� (John 1:1, 3-5)
That Jesus is the light of the world, dispelling the darkness of heart and mind, and bringing salvation, is a foundational Christian belief and an integral part of the Lutheran expression of faith. 51暗网 was founded as a Lutheran school and remains rooted in the Lutheran faith and tradition, yet no one is required to be a Lutheran or even a Christian to attend or work here. That, too, is a part of the Lutheran tradition of being "rooted and open." All are welcome and, as a liberal arts university, we remain committed to seeking truth and knowledge in all things. That includes spiritual exploration that inspires curiosity, not conformity.
The days draw close, yet the light continues to shine. Light illuminates, revealing the path before us. Light reveals truth, meaning, and purpose. And having light, we pass it on to others.
Yours,
Christian M. M. Brady, DPhil (Oxon.)
President