黑料吃瓜

In one of the traditional signals of the official start of a new academic year, 黑料吃瓜 today hosted its Fall Convocation.

In his address, University President Charles A. Fowler celebrated seniors as they enter their final year at Mossy Creek, and challenged all students, faculty and staff alike to never lose sight of the purpose of the institution and their responsibility as a part of its body.

Asking 鈥淲hat makes a Christian university Christian?,鈥� Fowler told the gathering 鈥渁t the most fundamental level, it鈥檚 the Gospel. The gospel provides the framework for truth and purpose, as well as establishes the necessary interdependence of faith, knowledge and learning.鈥�

Fowler charged those in attendance with three questions, based on the three times 鈥淐hristian鈥� is mentioned in Scripture. Twice in the book of Acts and once in 1 Peter mark the appearances of the term, prompting the questions.

First, Fowler asked, 鈥淲ho is Christ for us today in our identify as a Christian University?鈥�

Noting it in Acts 11 verse 26 when the disciples were first called 鈥淐hristians鈥� in Antioch. It was in that city these followers of Jesus stood out, living distinct lives marked by obedience to Christ鈥檚 teachings and a 鈥渂old commitment to share the gospel across every boundary.鈥�

鈥淭heir faithfulness became a defining characteristic,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥溾�� Their identity was not claimed; it was recognized. In the same way, our identity as a Christian university must be built on a real life living out of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not simply a branding strategy. The word 鈥淐hristian鈥� should be descriptive of our foundational convictions, priorities and practices because they visibly reflect the gospel.

鈥淲e must be a gospel people regardless of our role in the University. Carson-Newman鈥檚 reputation must be established through those who teach, serve and lead while living lives that reflect the impact of the gospel and faithfully proclaim the gospel that others might come to know Jesus. Every choice we make contributes to and influences the shaping of our institutional identity.鈥�

Secondly, Fowler asked: 鈥淲ho is Christ for us in our mission as a Christian University?鈥�

Referencing a conversation recorded in Acts Chapter 26 between the Apostle Paul and Herod Agrippa, he notes that in that passage Paul expresses his desire for the gospel to not only change Agrippa鈥檚 life, but the lives of all those who heard; that people would encounter the living Christ and be changed forever.

鈥淔or us, education is the pathway through which our mission travels,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淥ur mission statement defines the nature of our education as being Christian. We are called to deliver education, to lead and to serve in ways that showcase the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Excellence in mission means faithfulness to Christ.鈥�

Fowler reminded the crowd that in the spring of 2025, the faculty, staff, administration and Board of Trustees of Carson-Newman affirmed a statement that defines Christian educators as those 鈥渨ho are followers of Christ, who exhibit excellence in their work and whose teaching, service and leadership are distinctively Christian.鈥�

鈥淭his applies to every employee,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淚t means our relationship with Jesus does not just shape who we are personally; it shapes how we work. It defines excellence with clarity and purpose.鈥�

Fowler went further, 鈥淎 life worthy of the gospel reflects in practice what the gospel proclaims in truth,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat admonition should frame all we do; teaching, studying, serving, competing, leading and living. For Carson-Newman, Acts 26 reminds us that Christian mission cannot be separated from the proclamation of the gospel. We live it and we proclaim it. It鈥檚 why we are here!鈥�

Lastly, Fowler pointed to 1 Peter 4:16, 鈥淚f anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed but is to glorify God in this name.鈥�

鈥淗ere we see vision clearly,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥渢o glorify God as we bear His name, even in suffering. That is the ultimate purpose of both identity and mission. Since we bear His name 鈥� and our University bears his name 鈥� our vision must be to glorify Christ in all we do.鈥�

Fowler said through teaching, service and leadership, it is the responsibility of Carson-Newman as a Christian university 鈥渢hrough our teaching, service and leadership鈥� to make Christ visible and understandable.

鈥淭his means we bring a gospel bias to our work,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are not neutral. We advocate for a worldview shaped by Scripture, that recognizes Jesus as Creator, Savior and Lord.鈥�

So, in returning to his original question, 鈥淲hat makes a Christian University Christian?,鈥� Fowler concluded.

鈥淎s Image-Bearers and Name-Bearers of Christ we must engage every sphere of our work through the lens of the gospel if we are to be faithful to our call to be Christian. At a Christian university, this is not optional 鈥� it is expected.鈥�