Dr. Anthony Allen delivered his convocation address as HLGU President on Wednesday, August 25. Convocation Chapel is an annual tradition that marks the beginning or “gathering” of the university community to start the academic year. He charged the University community to choose the side of truth in their pursuits.
Dr. Allen’s message looked at the life of Manasseh from 2 Kings 21, and 2 Chronicles 33. Manasseh was king of Judah for 55 years, but in 2 Kings 21:2 it tells us, “He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.” Allen said, “Manasseh abandoned the moral framework of God. This is the same decision we are making today. To defy the moral law of God, means we have untethered ourselves from the safety of the harbor only to be tossed to and fro by the roaring seas. ‘How have we abandoned the moral law of God?’ you ask. We have desacralized life, sex, and marriage. We have removed the religious, sacred status, and significance of the law of God. The sacredness of life in every aspect is safeguarded by the moral and spiritual law of God.”
“The moral law of God is summarized in the greatest commandments to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love you neighbor as yourself. If we love God, we will have no other Gods or idols, we will not use His name in vain, and will keep the Sabbath. If we love our neighbor, we will honor our parents, will not murder, will not commit adultery, will not steal, will not speak falsely, or covet another man’s wife and property. For a free, prosperous, and civil society to exist we must choose between the moral law of God or the lawlessness of man.”
Dr. Allen challenged students to get involved and to make a difference in our world. He cautioned, “Just make sure that you are on the side of the right, and don’t let it detour you from God’s mission to win the world to Christ and advance His kingdom. While Jesus’ earthly ministry included healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and speaking truth to culture, his primary ministry was to seek and to save the lost.” As Mark 8:36 says, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his soul?”
In concluding his message, he reminded students, “The sins of our past are never so great that God’s love and mercy cannot forgive us, cannot restore us, and cannot give us a new start.” He also charged the University community, “As we start a new semester, let me challenge you to make sure that wherever and whatever you choose to do with your life, that you choose the side of truth. As James Russell Lowell said – crisis moments occur across history, and it’s important to choose the side of truth. Although truth may seem to be losing, remember, God is in control and truth will ultimately win.”