Fluoride in the Water

Before you reach for the delete button, thinking I've addressed this only to dental professors, allow me to explain. The point I'd like to make is that we need to influence the world of academia the way fluoride "influences" our water supply.

Many years ago, civic officials made the decision to add fluoride to the water so as to promote better dental health among its citizens. The thinking was that this essential, healthy substance would work every time people drank water, brushed their teeth, rinsed their mouths, etc.

People would be enhancing their teeth without the need for them to consciously work at it.

(Lately this decision has been questioned by some but for the sake of illustration, allow me to proceed).

The college campus environment needs some spiritual fluoride so that, when the gospel is proclaimed, there is a more responsive environment. We have not thought along these lines and the result have been that our evangelistic outreaches have attracted fewer and fewer non-Christians.

To use Biblical language, we have emphasized reaping but not sowing. Both are necessary for the spreading of the Gospel.

I believe that professors can have a tremendous "sowing" influence on the campus.

The kinds of issues professors address, in their classrooms, in their research, and in their writing, can pave the way for students, professors and others in the university community to rethink their presuppositions, challenge their worldviews and ultimately consider the gospel.

As some observers of Church history have put it, people need to see that Christianity is plausible news before they'll believe that it's good news.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: "Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." JOHN 4:37-38 (My point is that we are called to do the hard work of sowing, given what our culture is like today.)

ACTION POINTS: Make a list of professors and others to invite to the upcoming event "IS THERE MEANING IN EVIL AND SUFFERING?" Truly, this is a "fluoride" type event. See www.leaderu.com/events/rz for more details.

Return to Ministry Minutes Index

Email this to a friend