 |
|
Order and Peace in the Creator
By Dr. Ken Turnbull, ACU Vice-Chancellor
|
|
|
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil. 4:8)
Education that remains founded on truth cannot be removed from knowledge of God.
In today's post-modern milieu, truth is not readily accepted or even conceived. The questions arise: 'Whose truth?'; 'What is truth?'; 'Can we know truth?'; or even, 'Is there truth to be known?' When knowledge is separated from a source and method that we all accept, truth and knowledge become speculative. This is where post-modern society finds itself. If truth can be known, it is only my perception of truth that I can know. And, my version of truth can't be called truth because it may not be universal or verifiable to you. You may claim your version of truth, but it has no particular relevance to me or my existence. This is the relativism of today's higher education environment. It defines chaos. If we can't define universal truth, we simply rely on emotions and set subjective boundaries on such nebulous values as not offending one another's sensibilities with our personal conception of truth. Only irrationality can result - chaos!
Classical education was founded on cultivating truth, goodness and beauty that could be discovered and engaged in through human virtue or excellence. However, this educational purpose could only be pursued as one accepts that humanity has a connectedness to truth, beauty and goodness. If humanity is disconnected from the reality of existence, the reality that we don't just exist from nothingness and develop through randomness, but that there is a Creator responsible for our existence and there is a purpose for our existence, then we lose our connection to truth, beauty and goodness. This is the reason why we cannot remove knowledge from its source: the Creator - God.
The Apostle Paul challenges the young, Philippian church to "think about these things" - the things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). These are the things that connect our minds to God and will therefore engulf us in His peace. He says that the God of peace will be with us (Phil. 4:9). Minds that dwell on these things are dwelling on the Creator. They are minds fixed on the reality of Who created, how He created and His purpose in creation of all things, including us. These things are the opposite of chaos, but instead they absorb us in His order and purpose where we can fully know and embrace truth and find peace in the surety of His sovereign purpose and control. As we think about these things, we embrace our being created as God's image-bearers (Gen. 1:26) and celebrate that we, along with all of His creation, reflect Him - His truth, beauty and goodness.
Paul reminds the Colossian church to, "
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Col. 3:2)." Our minds must be fixed on God, on the things of His purpose, His being and His doing. This can only be accomplished when we exist in His Son, Jesus Christ, the One Who reconciles us to God through the blood of His cross, the forgiveness of our sins.
When our minds are enabled to be set on the things that are above through our regeneration in our Saviour Jesus Christ, then we can fully know and celebrate truth, beauty and goodness. We can flourish in the development of our own abilities to reflect His truth, His honour, His justice, His purity and loveliness as Christ enables us. We can then commend all reflections of God in humanity and His entire creation, celebrating those things that are excellent and worthy of praise. What joy and peace is found in fulfilling His creation purpose!
Join with ACU in prayer, in financial support, even in serving with us, and help us to bring to Africa this classical approach to Christian education that truly enjoys the truth, beauty and goodness of what God has created in Christ. Help us express the order and peace that God's Spirit brings to the chaos and confusion of this postmodern world.
|
|
|
|
|
ACU Update
By Ken Turnbull, ACU Vice-Chancellor
|
|
|
The third and final term of the Scholars Programme is in full swing. The students returned from break ready to engage in their classes, assignments, work and activities. It is a joy to have them back and to see the growth that is so obvious in their intellectual and spiritual development. Please remember the students, faculty and staff in your prayers. God's grace is evident in the students' more deeply knowing and living for God and from the impact that is having on their families, friends and communities where the students are actively engaged.
Please continue to pray for the administrative labourers overseeing ACU's development. There is much activity centred around the ACU-Zambian Board, under the chairmanship of John Chundu, and the ACU-USA Board, under Dan Pentimone, as forward progress is made toward
s internationalising all operations under the Zambian Board. Pray for the development of the ACU-UK organisation, under the direction of Andrew Roycroft, and the ACU-RSA organisation, under Irving Steggles. All of these supporting organisations are vital for the prayer, financial and personnel support of ACU. Pray that all operations will glorify Christ in the unity of spirit, mind and the faith of the gospel.
Please pray for the water needs for ACU's Chisamba campus property. Three bo
rehol
es have been drilled and no sufficient source of water has been found. We seek the Lord for His will in being able to sustain the thousands of residential members that will be part of the projected ACU campus, be
it through sufficient water being available at the Chisamba campus or through provision of another location that might better sustain ACU's projected developments.
Your fellowship with ACU in support of the work that God is doing in building His church in Zambia is greatly appreciated. May the Lord be praised!
|
|
|
Interview with Given Kababu
By Lisa Turnbull
|
|
|
ACU: Where do you live?
Given: I live in Kanyama, which is in Lusaka province.
ACU: What church do you attend?
Given: All Souls for Jesus, Pentecostal Holiness Church. I have been attending there for 5 years due to my mother's passing.
ACU: How are you paying for your education at ACU?
Given: Family Legacy sponsors my school fees and transport fees.
ACU: What has been the most impacting thing you have learned in the classroom?
Given: At my church they don't talk about us as human beings, and the problem with us, but how to be prosperous. Coming to ACU has made me realise that there is something wrong with me and the world I live in, and that problem is sin. It has made me realise that I can't attain salvation with my good works or living a good life, but only by believing in Jesus Christ.
|
|
 |
|
Given Kababu putting on the final touches of the completed Computer Lab at ACU.
|
|
ACU: What are your thoughts on the Student Labour Programme?
Given: It is good, and it has made us realise our call; that we are called to work, and that work is not a burden to us, but it is what God wants us to do.
ACU: What would you say to others about ACU?
Given:
ACU is not only a school or university, but it is something which can help you build your foundation of life and not only this but it also teaches you the purpose of life and gives you, or helps you, answer the most fundamental questions of life like: Who am I? What's my purpose in life? Where do I come from? What's wrong with the world? All these questions ACU can help you answer them and points you to the True source of life.
ACU: What would you like to do after you complete university?
Given: I haven't come up with that yet, but I am still trying to figure out what I can do, but lately I was thinking of engineering, or being an accountant because I like maths.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seeking Help
If God has gifted you as an artisan of excellence in any aspect of the construction trade, consider
discipling colleagues and students with ACU.
Please contact us if you believe God is calling you to serve His kingdom
wor
k in this way.
Email: inf
o@ac
u-zambia.com
Theology, Education, Business and Agriculture
with future expansion to cover
all humanities and sciences
|
Check out our new construction video!
|
|
|
|
* There has been a variety of illnesses making their way through the campus, so please pray for the health of the students, faculty and staff.
* Please pray for the Higher Education Authority as they work on getting the procedure and policy organised for accreditation requirements and processes for all of the universities in Zambia.
* Pray for the stake holding Reformed Baptist Churches of Zambia to remain steadfast in their commitment to ACU.
* Begin even now to pray for the students that God will send to ACU for the 2017 academic year.
* Continue to pray for more labourers to assist with the teaching and administration, and pray for those that are in the process of raising support to join ACU soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* We are thankful for the successful completion of the computer lab for the students. It has turned out even better than expected!
* The students had a profitable full Saturday of Student Labour to tackle some larger projects on the grounds.
* The ACU library now has over 3,250 of the donated books catalogued for the use of the students.
* We thank God for all those who volunteer their time and abilities here in Zambia and elsewhere to help with the ACU work.
* God continues to provide for the financial needs of students and developments for future growth of ACU. Thank you for your participation with us for God's glory and the good of His church.
|
|
|
|
Needs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Links
|
|
|
Help us build the Jonathan Edwards library collection. Our immediate need is in the disciplines of education agriculture and business. These books do not need to be explicitly Christian, just intellectually informative, legitimate and current. Please help us with this important request.
for further information, please contact [email protected]
By sponsoring a student, you can make a direct investment in his or her life and future. Equipped with a degree from ACU, our graduates will be better able to care for their families, and as ambassadors for Christ, to revitalise their communities for the glory of God. A one-year sponsorship can help ensure that a student succeeds at ACU and ultimately graduates. Any amount will help make a difference. Thank you!
The "Friends of ACU" campaign seeks partners for a 10 month duration to
support special projects with monthly gifts in 3 categories:
Bronze K500/mo
Silver K1,000/mo
Gold K1,500/mo
Contact Gladys Mposha for more information or to sign up as a partner. [email protected].
ACU is seeking a qualified individual for the position of librarian.
Duties include: cataloguing, online resource development, faculty & student relations, supervision of volunteers & students. Knowledge of KOHA an asset. This a volunteer position. For more information, contact
[email protected].
A Letter From Kabwata
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
