URC Weekly 6/19/2011: An Irony
Hello everyone!
Today, the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. is exchanging its co-ed dorms for single sex ones, in hopes to fight back against a culture of binge drinking and casual sex. The university’s president John Garvey cites a 2009 study that found that students in co-ed dorms are twice as likely to binge drink and have multiple sex partners. However, this study is not conclusive; other studies show that co-ed residence have a moderating effect on drinking behavior.
Whether co-ed dorms encourage or discourage self-destructive habits remains to be seen. However, one thing is for sure – the Catholic University is fighting against the current culture. The university’s decision can certainly be considered outdated. However, Christians are called to stand and go against the flow at times.
I think a genuine Christian life is very ironic. We are often called to exist simultaneously in two opposing states. We are spiritual yet physical beings. We are not of this world yet live in this world. We are to deny ourselves but love neighbors as we love ourselves. We are to hate sins yet to love the sinners.
Banning co-ed dorms may be seen countercultural and even counterproductive. Yet this is exactly what we are to do as we live this earthly life waiting for the heavenly one (another irony!). Not that I support any type of dorms in particular, but I ask that you consider the how you live your own life. Are there parts that are being conformed to the world? Let’s stand up and fight. Romans 12:1 says, “Do not conform to the world any longer, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Let’s make the world conform to us, not the other way around. At the same time, love the world.
The greatest irony of them all is the finite life that our infinite God chose. Let us follow God, then, by living ironically. God bless you.
• PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR MICHELLE JUNG
• PRESCHOOL VBS: Help needed 6/23 (Fri) @ 12:30-2pm for water play; see Angela
• ELEMENTARY VBS: 6/22 (Thu) – 6/25 (Sun), see emails for your schedule
• DODGER GAME: 6/25 (Sun) @ 1pm, list is confirmed
• PRAISE TEAM MEETING: 6/25 (Sun) right after service
• ALL-COORDINATOR MEETING: 7/17 (Sun), dinner afterwards
• UNHCR JOB: $12 per hour, includes 30 hour training, see Hyonroh if interested
• UNION SAT SESSION: Coming up soon, help wanted
• EM DEDICATION MORNING SERVICE: 7/17 (Sat) @ 6:30am
• MORE: 8/1 (Mon) – 8/4 (Thu), leaders wanted
• URC CAMPING: 8/14 (Sun) – 8/17 (Wed) @ Lake Cachuma
• SNACKS: Hyunjoo’s Small Group
• SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: Hyunjoo Yi
• DEVOTIONS: Romans 5 – Romans 11
