University life is steeped in traditions. One of the most common and wide-spread of these is the ceremony to mark the official beginning of the academic year 鈥 Opening Convocation.
Redeemer鈥檚 Opening Convocation, held in the Auditorium on September 9, was an opportunity for the extended community 鈥 faculty, staff, students, alumni and other supporters 鈥 to come together and give thanks and praise to God for his work at and through Redeemer.
One of the key purposes of Convocation is to welcome those, especially students, who are new to the university community. New professors are also formally welcomed to the faculty. Dr. Joanne Nazir, Dr. Deanne van Tol and Dr. Naaman Wood were inducted into Redeemer鈥檚 faculty, restating publicly the vows they made when appointed to their positions earlier this year.
Through Opening Convocation, the Redeemer community also meets to set the course for the University鈥檚 work and communal life throughout the coming year. President Krygsman鈥檚 Address 鈥 Orienting our Learning to God鈥檚 Goodness 鈥 pointed to that purpose. His message was based on . In the passage, Paul and Barnabas admonish those in Lystra who looked upon them as gods. 鈥淲hat would it be like if Paul spoke in our universities and media today,鈥 Krygsman asked, 鈥渨here our idols and sacrifices focus on autonomy, self-gratification, and self-sufficiency?鈥
Like the classically-educated Greeks of Lystra, our world, including its university scholars, 鈥渉unger(s) for the source and meaning of life, and they reflect in their beliefs and actions what they assume to be of ultimate power and 鈥榳orth鈥,鈥 noted Krygsman.
In response to their misguided worship of himself, Paul points out to the Greeks that God has provided a Witness to true wisdom and meaning. In our current environment, Paul鈥檚 message is a reminder is of utmost importance to us as we take up our learning at Redeemer, a calling that stands in stark contrast to much of the world of academia.
As they begin their year, Krysman encouraged faculty and students to 鈥渂ecome ever more attuned to God鈥檚 witness and His purpose for your lives and our world as you grow in wisdom and understanding… confident of God鈥檚 presence in the world and working in you, so that your gifts and life may fulfill your purpose and shine as a witness of God鈥檚 goodness and grace in your lives and work.鈥
The full text of Dr. Krygsman鈥檚 address has been posted by the聽President鈥檚 Office.