GCU News Bureau
The One Foundation Lunch and Learn on Friday featured the second half of a two-part discussion about human value and dignity.
For a replay, click here.
Steve Sherman of the College of Theology led it off with a theological discussion on the topic. He declared that explaining and comprehending the meaning of the term “human value and dignity” clearly matters, and “it is above all through actively and virtuously valuing the dignity of our neighbor that human transformation and flourishing emerge.”
He referenced James 1:19-27, which reads:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
A life of virtue is not enough, Sherman said. Rather, Christians must take action in the form of homeless shelters, food pantries, funds for the unemployed, etc., and create institutions, such as medical clinics, educational facilities and housing programs, such as Habitat for Humanity.
It then becomes incumbent upon the church to embody these values by challenging existing policies, educating constituents and, when necessary, offering nonviolent resistance.
After Sherman spoke, a panel of faculty members from the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions – Pascale Lee, Alicia Shields and Sarah Schroyer – connected the dots from theory to practice.
“Each of them had a unique experience to share, but the cumulative effect was powerful, to say the least,” said Dr. Jason Hiles, Dean of the College of Theology.
The next Lunch and Learn, open to all faculty members, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, in Room 133 of the Technology Building. The discussion on ethical decision-making will be led by the Colangelo College of Business. Faculty members who wish to sign up can do so here.
