February 1, 2013 Print Edition

Oral Roberts University • Feb. 1, 2013 Tulsa, Okla. • Vol. 47, No. 10 www.oruoracle.com

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Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center opens PAGE 5

Photo by Stephen Salmon

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Web www.oruoracle.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ORUOracle Twitter @ORUOracle THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 2

LIFE

Open dorm dates approved for spring semester

By Hannah Covington Jessica Sobel didn’t notice anything unusual when she followed three men into Claudius on Jan. 27. Nothing struck her as strange even when the male trio held open the elevator door for her. Typical ORU male courtesy.

And then they followed her onto the elevator, pressed a few buttons and waited. Sobel just had time to look at the languid resident advisor sitting desk, who said nothing about the flagrant violation of “No males beyond this point,” before the doors closed.

Only afterward did Sobel realize the reason behind this odd — and uncontested — elevator company.

“I only found out that it was open dorms because of the three guys in the elevator with me,” Sobel said.

The open dorms that took the sophomore international community development major by surprise stands as the first of six dates submitted by the student association and approved by administration for the spring semester.

Sobel said a lack of communication over the date of this semester’s first open dorms resulted in confusion in the female dorms.

Part of the surprise stems from poor publicity, a result of no Monday hall meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day the previous week.

The confusion lingers because of the usual bi-monthly event being held only once over the four-month fall semester.

Student Association Vice President Josh Wagoner, co-author of a proposal to amend the current open dorm policy, initially submitted dates this semester for weekly open dorms to extend from 3-7 p.m.

“I would love nothing else than to have weekly open dorms,” Wagoner said.

One of the principal concerns from administrators is the additional burden this puts on the student leaders to be present to monitor these times.

Wagoner proposes having an SA representative on call with hall directors in each dorm, and requiring students to check in with their I.D.

“Student Association’s goal is to take the burden off the resident advisors and offer a contemporary, open dorm environment where students can enjoy mature social interactions,” Wagoner said.

After some discussion and revision with Matthew Olsen, dean of men, the dates were finalized as bi-monthly from 3-6 p.m., one hour longer than past semesters.

The open dorms will alternate between the men’s and women’s residence halls.

Vice President for Student Life Daniel Guajardo said talks about the General Assembly’s open dorm Photo by Stephen Salmon proposal will resume after Jessica Sobel, Laura Feller, Rosina Albanese, John Richards and Tiffany Rogers enjoy homecoming. talking during Sunday’s open dorms on Claudius 5, Moriah.

“We’re trying to get to a place where we can give it the time it deserves,” Guajardo involved because their primary respon“I would like to see more of a relaxed said. sibility will be in that [change],” he said. social environment at ORU,” Albanese Aaron Brown, director of Student During Sunday’s open dorms, Sobel said.

Experience, said a committee will be spent much of her time with friends in She sees more frequent open dorms formed at this time to discuss the issue room 542 with her neighbor, sophomore as a way to create this social climate. further. communications major Rosina Albanese.

“If it was a more regular thing, girls Members will include Student AsBoth women are in favor of more would not be scrambling at 2:55 p.m., sociation President Dan Holman, Vice frequent open dorms. banging the trash shoots in every floor President Josh Wagoner, Housing Di“They are just so short right now, and being surprised by guys in the rector Brandon Almeida, Dean of Men and you feel like you have to run elevator,” Albanese said, glancing over Matthew Olsen and Dean of Women around and cram things in so that you at a laughing Sobel.

Lori Sylvester. can see lots of different people instead Brown said one issue to take into of spending quality time with a few Spring 2013 open dorm dates consideration is that discussion of the people,” Sobel said. open dorms changes has prompted diSobel and Albanese live on the wing Mar. 10 Jan. 27 Location: Location: vided responses among the student body. Moriah in Claudius 5. Their brother Men’s Halls Women’s Halls “There have been some sentiments wing is Men of God. Time: 3-6 p.m.

Time: 3-6pm from students that they are not interested “The brother wing will have dance in visitation and that they like the current parties during open dorms, and we’re Feb. 17 Apr. 7 system,” Brown said. super social, too, and usually try to Location: Location: That’s not speaking on behalf of the make cookies or something,” Albanese Men’s Halls Women’s Halls whole student body, but we want to create said. “But because open dorms are so Time: 3-6 p.m.

Time: 3-6 p.m. a program that’s good for everybody as rare, it becomes this strange circus much as possible.” instead of just being a time to go hang Apr. 14 Mar. 3 Because of differing opinions among out or study.”

Location: Location: Men’s Halls Women’s Halls students, Guajardo said students will Albanese, also a member of the Time: 3-6 p.m.

Time: 3-6 p.m. play a key role in this nascent open General Assembly, said she would like to dorm committee. see open dorms become less formal and “There’s got to be student leaders “uptight.”

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 3

Pope defends Twitter account Religion News Service The Vatican on Thursday ( Jan. 24) defended the pope’s choice to open a Twitter account even if it exposes him to insults and online abuse.

“Twitter is a secular reality … but we prefer to be present rather than stay away from something just to avoid a risk,” said Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the Vatican’s department for social communications, during the launch of the annual papal message for World Communications Day. Pope Benedict XVI opened his Twitter handle @Pontifex on Dec. 3.

It has since gathered more than 2.5 million followers in nine languages, including Latin.

But the 85-year-old pontiff has found himself on the receiving end of an almost endless stream of messages on the social network – some prayer-

ful, some humorous and some outright offensive.

“Is it true that you dress Prada just like the devil?” asked an Italian Twitter user after the launch of the papal account.

Many Twitter users aggressively question the pontiff ’s record on child sexual abuse, his position on homosexuality or his brief enrollment in a militia unit during his youth in Nazi Germany.

Celli said people at the Vatican were not surprised by these tweets. “When he joined the social network, we knew there would be attacks and irony,” he said.

In an interview with Religion News Service, Celli said Benedict himself was “aware” of the risks and accepted them “calmly.”

“What the pope wants is to be where today’s men and women are,” he said. “After all, even Jesus was derided

and offended during his mission.”

According to Celli’s deputy, Archbishop Paul Tighe, the Vatican shouldn’t pay too much attention to online insults. “If you start chasing those who attack you, they have already won, because they have shaped your message,” he said at the launch of the pope’s annual statement on communications.

Benedict’s 2013 message, unveiled on Thursday, offers a positive view of today’s digital landscape, including social media.

For the Pope, the social media realm is not “a parallel or purely virtual world” but a very real place where millions of people conduct a significant part of their life.

The church, he wrote, must engage people online as well as offline, promoting authenticity and “reasoned debate” and discouraging sensationalism and “divisive voices.”

Green family reveals Sacra Pagina Sacra Pagina will be on display in the Mabee Center for two more days.

By Amy Lecza The world’s largest biblical text and artifact collection is making its way to Tulsa – and some of it will be on campus at ORU. The famous Green family is to thank for this exhibit.

They’ve spent years accumulating the non-sectarian compilation of more than 40,000 biblical antiquities. The exhibit, called Sacra Pagina (“Sacred Page,” was named by the Green family, who founded the national arts and crafts retailed Hobby Lobby.

The display continues through Feb. 2.

Admission is free, and it will be exhibited in the Mabee Center Banquet Center South Lobby from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

An opening day lecture was held Jan. 30 by Dr. Jerry Pattengale.

NEWS BRIEFS

By McKensie Garber Being on a tight budget, Student Association has recently been discussing the possibility of discontinuing cable TV for the coming fall 2013 school year due to the high expense.

Cable TV is costing the Student Association $20,000. The quality of the cable is not always pristine, as many channels don’t come in clearly.

Student Associations Chief OpThe Beautiful You Conference will erating Officer, Bethany White said, be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on “There’s so many thingsChapel. we can Saturday, Feb. 9other in Christ’s do with $20,000 than pay for cable that The event, hosted by senior no one likes.” communications majors Elizabeth According to Student Edwards, Sierra KoellingAssociation and Lauren President Daniel Holman, the SA is alRudichuk, will feature speaker lotted a budget at the beginning Becky Harling with the generalof each year.

This money from student message being comes to encourage activity fees, which all students women to discover their innerpay.

The Student Association is toand receive beauty.

The conference is free a registration percent of each of those activity is available online atfees.

This allows their budget to fluctuate www.beautifulyoutulsa.com. year-to-year depending upon the number of students enrolled on campus.

Due to the increase in students on The behavioral department campus this year, science the SA should have is conducting a survey on the received more money to pay for things spirituality/religiosity college such as events and cableof TV. However, students.

The first 864 ORU students their budget was cut over $30,000 from who participate will receive $10 what it was last year. credited to their Bucks “It makes it veryEagle difficult to continue account.

The survey is online at to serve the students by paying for https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ perks such as cable TV, movie nights, ORUSpiritualityStudy and takes homecoming events, parties, money approximately 30 minutes. for clubs, shuttles etc. when we do not receive what the fees that are meant to go towards these things,” President Holman said.

Many have said that their AMF, students ORU’s peer support group, cable does not always work properly is open to anyone grieving the and roomsone, don’tthe even have losssome of a loved end of aworking cable. relationship or wanting to learn to Senior grieving Becca Valdez cable support peerssaid, and“The friends. inThe myfollowing room doesn’t work and I know dates are upcoming that other girls meetings, andhave will complained be held at 8that p.m. their channels don’t come through, in the behavioral sciences lounge while receivewill working roomsome in GCrooms 2C15.do Snacks be channels.

I wish all of us could have provided. equal entertainment.”

Feb. 1 “It’s not a set-in-stone thing that we Feb. 21 won’t pay for cable next year,” White Mar. 28 said. “The decision ultimately depends Apr. 4 on the President next year and the new Apr. 18 Executive Council who will vote on it.”

Women’s conference to be held Feb. 9

Earn $10 for religion survey completion

Peer support group announces meetings

Internet Photo

Sacra Pagina is a partial display of the 40,000-piece collection of the Green Family. The collection includes biblical artifacts and texts.

4 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE

armand hammer center

Photos by Stephen Salmon

Alumni-Student cENTER Facts • The Hammer Center was built where the old Health Resources Center was located.

• The average wait in line at Moe’s Southwest Grill is 30 minutes.

• Several of the chairs have plug-in outlets to allow for students to charge phones and laptops.

• The name for The Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center was locked in over a decade ago when the Armand Hammer Foundation made the first, and largest, donation for the construction of the building.

• A completely enclosed workroom has been included for students who would like to escape from the noise while meeting for educational purposes.

• The new student center includes four game stations: two X-Boxes and two Nintendo Wiis.

• Next to the pool tables, there’s a chalkboard wall to help competitive players keep track of scores and games played.

ORU students relax and enjoy complimentary food at the Jan. 27 preview of the Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 5

Caryn Ballou is the new manager of the Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center.

Photo by Stephen Salmon

Student center manager fields questions In what jobs have you been employed at ORU before taking your current position?

Before my job as building manager, I worked as a senior administrative assistant for the VP of University Relations and the EVP for University Advancement for more than 8 years.

What are several of your favorite features about the new center?

I like the living room especially when the fireplace is on. It has a very comfortable feel, just like you’re at home. I also love all the really bright colors they used in the building. It has a very fun feel.

What is your official title in your current job and what responsibilities are associated with it?

Official Title: Building Manager for the Armand Hammer AlumniStudent Center Some of my job responsibilities: Responsible for the management and operations of Armand Hammer Alumni Student Center, serve as a liaison and assist in the management of the facility, and maintain the safety and security at all time within the building. Meet with clients, provide information and confirm pre-event preparations and arrangements.

What do you think alumni will enjoy most at the new center?

I think alumni will enjoy the Ralph and Darlene Fagin Garden Vista Room. It has the best view in the entire building overlooking the Prayer Tower and Prayer Gardens.

What do you think students will enjoy most at the new center?

Hanging out, relaxing and studying with friends.

What offices or student services are located on the second floor?

The Development and Alumni Relations offices are housed upstairs on the second floor. There are not an services for students on the second floor.

What are the dining options in the new center? Will those ever be expanded?

Dining Options: Moe’s Southwest Grill and Jazzman’s Cafe.

6 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE

Is there a specific dress code for the center like in Saga?

Sweats? Shorts?

The dress code will be casual.

Can student groups and clubs reserve meeting space in the center? How would they do that?

The second floor meeting space can be reserved through a facility request. This space can be reserved for larger student groups and clubs. We are encouraging smaller groups and clubs to utilize the group workroom on the first floor of the Hammer Center. The workroom can be reserved at the front desk.

What hours will the center be open?

Monday: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Friday: 7:30 am - 1 a.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. - 1 a.m.

What days of the week and hours do you anticipate the center being most crowded?

We know the evenings will probably be the most crowded but at this point we’re unsure what days.

What are the gaming and other entertainment opportunities available to students at the center?

We have two Wii U’s, two XBoxes and two pool tables. We also have the large TV screen that will be split into four sections showing four different TV channels at a time. We have a 55-inch TV in the living room.

We are also in the process of purchasing a few board games and card games for the students to enjoy.

For more information on the Hammer Center, find it on your smart phone!

SPORTS

Men’s basketball ties for first

By Billy Burke For those keeping track of the Golden Eagles basketball, it has been a frustrating ride.

The first game of the season resulted in a 20-point blowout against University of Texas El Paso. Though ORU won the next three games, they went into winter break at a mediocre 5-4, with games against fearsome foes #4 Arizona, Tulsa and Memphis.

To the dismay of ORU disciples, the Golden Eagles would lose out and come into the New Year at 5-7.

However, the Eagles had a single resolution they tucked away since the beginning of the semester: to win the Southland Conference.

Since Jan. 3, the Eagles have gone on a 7-1 tear, wreaking havoc in the once peaceful Southland Conference.

ORU faced off against the reigning Southland champions, the Lamar Cardinals, on Jan. 24.

This game proved to be one of optimum efficiency for ORU, as they only gave up four turnovers.

This tied the school record for the fewest turnovers in a game, and is only the fourth time in school history to hit that mark since 1990.

As a team, ORU only shot 47 percent, a mark they have struggled with this season.

After the game coach Sutton said, “Thankfully on the offensive end it’s been the best game in terms of not turning the ball over.”

Something that made this game special was the half0-time ceremony. Current students got a glimpse into the

history and pride of the athletics program.

The number 42 was forever retired and hoisted into the rafters for future generations to see. This number belonged to power forward Mark Acres.

Acres’ stellar ORU career was followed by eight years in the NBA. He went to the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics in his rookie season.

They lost 4-2 against Pat Riley’s Lakers.

Acres retired in 1993 with the Washington Bullets.

On Jan. 26, ORU tipped off against McNeese State University and delivered the performance fans have been waiting and praying for.

The Eagles took McNeese to the shed and came out with the largest margin of victory over a DI opponent this season.

The Golden Eagles outscored McNeese State 22-7 over the final 9:10 of the game, sweating out a 75-56 victory.

It was also the first game that Stephen Roundtree has played in over a month. He finished with a respectable 6 points off the bench.

However, the gravy that came on the side was a Stephen F. Austin 61-57 loss to Northwestern State. Putting ORU (12-8, 7-1 Southland) in a tie for first place with Stephen F. Austin.

“I thought that was the

most complete game we’ve played in a long time,” said Coach Scott Sutton. “I thought we played with energy and I thought we played together.”

“It was good to get Roundtree back,” Sutton said.

“I thought he gave us a spark and some energy off the bench and we needed it.”

Coming from the beginning of the season, anyone would be surprised that ORU is tied for first place so soon in the season.

Although the key to any college basketball season isn’t when you start or how you finish, it’s when you peak.

I won’t say that’s where ORU is now, but when they said it looks different once you get to the top, they were right.

The Golden Eagles now control their own destiny.

Photos by Austin St. John

Top: ORU’s Warren Niles tied a season-high scoring record with 33 points against Lamar.

Bottom: Damen Bell-Holter pulls down one of 10 rebounds versus Stephen F. Austin.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 7

8 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE

Season Record: 11 - 4 - 1

season review

season review

The 49ers’ season has been an upand-down ride. They opened the season with two solid wins over competitive teams, but then lost to the Vikings in a game that wasn’t close. They blew out the Jets one week, then were blown out by the Giants. The Rams gave the 49ers trouble in both games. They tied in the first matchup then three weeks later, the Rams upset the 49ers. The 49ers had a case of playing to the competition.

They grabbed the No. 2 seed in the playoffs though, giving them a home game against the Packers. Kaepernick took over the game with his legs, running the 49ers into the Conference Championship game. Down 17-0 to the Falcons the next week, it looked like the 49ers would be going home. The threat of a Kaepernick run, however, opened up lanes for running backs Frank Gore and LaMichael James. At the end of the game, the defense stopped the Falcons on fourth down to clinch the win and the Super Bowl spot.

By David Sauer

The Ravens failed to improve on their 12–4 record from 2011; however, they managed to clinch the AFC North division title in Week 16, securing the team’s fifth straight playoff berth, advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season, and to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2000.

It was the first time in franchise history that the Ravens won consecutive division titles. Coming off emotional wins in Denver and Foxboro, Baltimore heads to New Orleans in hopes of capturing the Lombardi Trophy.

Possibly the most incredible play of the 2013 playoffs was the 59-yard bomb QB Joe Flacco threw to wide-receiver Torrey Smith to send the game to overtime against Denver. Look for Smith to be targeted early and often against the 49ers on Sunday. Elite or not, Flacco is playing with more confidence than ever and will be a handful for San Francisco’s defense.

By Ryan Woods

David’s Prediction: San Francisco 24, Baltimore 20

Joe flacco

If the 49ers are going to win, they need outside linebacker Aldon Smith to play well. Until week 14, Smith averaged more than one sack per game, including a five-sack performance against Chicago. He hasn’t had one since then. Smith could have broken the NFL sack record. That is the Smith who needs to show up on Super Bowl Sunday. The Patriots gave Baltimore QB Joe Flacco unlimited time to throw the ball in the AFC Championship game, and the Ravens did whatever they wanted on offense.

Baltimore Ravens There’s been a lot of talk recently about the elite status of the Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco. After a career year he is one game away from putting that question to bed. Here is the list of quarterbacks who have led their team to the playoffs in each of the last five years: Joe Flacco… that’s it.

Something Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Peyton, nor Eli can say. After just five seasons he holds 24 franchise records including: most career passing yards, most career pass completions, most career passing touchdowns, and most career playoff wins.

Ray Lewis

kaepernick

The 49ers might not have made the Super Bowl if not for Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit during Week 10.

This knocked quarterback Alex Smith out of the game, and forced backup QB Colin Kaepernick into action. Kaepernick played so well he secured the starting job for the rest of the season. Kaepernick’s strong arm and his threat to run make the offense much more explosive. Despite starting only nine games, Kaepernick has thrown for almost 2,000 yards, 10 TD’s and only three interceptions.

aldon smith

san francisco 49ers

If there was a Mount Rushmore of NFL linebackers, one of the faces would be Ray Lewis. He has been with the Baltimore Ravens since 1996, after being drafted 26th overall out of the University of Miami. He has been considered one of the best linebackers in the league, as well as one of the best players in Ravens history. Lewis announced in a press conference earlier this season that he will retire from football when the season ends. Lewis was MVP of Super Bowl XXXV and also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003.

Season Record: 10 - 6 Ryan’s Prediction: Baltimore 23, San Francisco 21

super bowl xxlvii bat tle of the harbaugh brothers JIM HARBAUGH : 49ers HEAD COACH (2011-present) Born: Dec. 23, 1963, in Toledo, Ohio High school: Palo Alto, Calif.

College: University of Michigan quarterback

NFL player: Chicago Bears (1987-93), Indianapolis Colts (1994-97), Baltimore Ravens (1998), San Diego Chargers (19992000), Detroit Lions (2001), Carolina Panthers (2001)

Coaching: Western Kentucky University (1994-2001), Oakland Raiders (2002-03), University of San Diego (2004-06), Stanford University (2007-10) Family: Six children, including two sons and a daughter from his first marriage and two daughters and a son from his second marriage

JOHN HARBAUGH : Ravens HEAD COACH (2008-present) Born: Sept. 23, 1962, in Toledo, Ohio

High school: Pioneer in Ann Arbor, Mich.

College: Miami (Ohio) University defensive back NFL player: None Panthers (2001)

Coaching: Western Michigan University (1984-87), University of Pittsburgh (1987), Morehead State University (1988), University of Cincinnati (1989-96), Indiana University (1997), Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2007) Family: He and his wife, Ingrid, have one daughter

Season Record: 11 - 4 - 1

season review

season review

The 49ers’ season has been an upand-down ride. They opened the season with two solid wins over competitive teams, but then lost to the Vikings in a game that wasn’t close. They blew out the Jets one week, then were blown out by the Giants. The Rams gave the 49ers trouble in both games. They tied in the first matchup then three weeks later, the Rams upset the 49ers. The 49ers had a case of playing to the competition.

They grabbed the No. 2 seed in the playoffs though, giving them a home game against the Packers. Kaepernick took over the game with his legs, running the 49ers into the Conference Championship game. Down 17-0 to the Falcons the next week, it looked like the 49ers would be going home. The threat of a Kaepernick run, however, opened up lanes for running backs Frank Gore and LaMichael James. At the end of the game, the defense stopped the Falcons on fourth down to clinch the win and the Super Bowl spot.

By David Sauer

The Ravens failed to improve on their 12–4 record from 2011; however, they managed to clinch the AFC North division title in Week 16, securing the team’s fifth straight playoff berth, advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season, and to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2000.

It was the first time in franchise history that the Ravens won consecutive division titles. Coming off emotional wins in Denver and Foxboro, Baltimore heads to New Orleans in hopes of capturing the Lombardi Trophy.

Possibly the most incredible play of the 2013 playoffs was the 59-yard bomb QB Joe Flacco threw to wide-receiver Torrey Smith to send the game to overtime against Denver. Look for Smith to be targeted early and often against the 49ers on Sunday. Elite or not, Flacco is playing with more confidence than ever and will be a handful for San Francisco’s defense.

By Ryan Woods

David’s Prediction: San Francisco 24, Baltimore 20

Joe flacco

If the 49ers are going to win, they need outside linebacker Aldon Smith to play well. Until week 14, Smith averaged more than one sack per game, including a five-sack performance against Chicago. He hasn’t had one since then. Smith could have broken the NFL sack record. That is the Smith who needs to show up on Super Bowl Sunday. The Patriots gave Baltimore QB Joe Flacco unlimited time to throw the ball in the AFC Championship game, and the Ravens did whatever they wanted on offense.

Baltimore Ravens There’s been a lot of talk recently about the elite status of the Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco. After a career year he is one game away from putting that question to bed. Here is the list of quarterbacks who have led their team to the playoffs in each of the last five years: Joe Flacco… that’s it.

Something Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Peyton, nor Eli can say. After just five seasons he holds 24 franchise records including: most career passing yards, most career pass completions, most career passing touchdowns, and most career playoff wins.

Ray Lewis

kaepernick

The 49ers might not have made the Super Bowl if not for Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit during Week 10.

This knocked quarterback Alex Smith out of the game, and forced backup QB Colin Kaepernick into action. Kaepernick played so well he secured the starting job for the rest of the season. Kaepernick’s strong arm and his threat to run make the offense much more explosive. Despite starting only nine games, Kaepernick has thrown for almost 2,000 yards, 10 TD’s and only three interceptions.

aldon smith

san francisco 49ers

If there was a Mount Rushmore of NFL linebackers, one of the faces would be Ray Lewis. He has been with the Baltimore Ravens since 1996, after being drafted 26th overall out of the University of Miami. He has been considered one of the best linebackers in the league, as well as one of the best players in Ravens history. Lewis announced in a press conference earlier this season that he will retire from football when the season ends. Lewis was MVP of Super Bowl XXXV and also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003.

Season Record: 10 - 6 Ryan’s Prediction: Baltimore 23, San Francisco 21

super bowl xxlvii bat tle of the harbaugh brothers JIM HARBAUGH : 49ers HEAD COACH (2011-present) Born: Dec. 23, 1963, in Toledo, Ohio High school: Palo Alto, Calif.

College: University of Michigan quarterback

NFL player: Chicago Bears (1987-93), Indianapolis Colts (1994-97), Baltimore Ravens (1998), San Diego Chargers (19992000), Detroit Lions (2001), Carolina Panthers (2001)

Coaching: Western Kentucky University (1994-2001), Oakland Raiders (2002-03), University of San Diego (2004-06), Stanford University (2007-10) Family: Six children, including two sons and a daughter from his first marriage and two daughters and a son from his second marriage

JOHN HARBAUGH : Ravens HEAD COACH (2008-present) Born: Sept. 23, 1962, in Toledo, Ohio

High school: Pioneer in Ann Arbor, Mich.

College: Miami (Ohio) University defensive back NFL player: None Panthers (2001)

Coaching: Western Michigan University (1984-87), University of Pittsburgh (1987), Morehead State University (1988), University of Cincinnati (1989-96), Indiana University (1997), Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2007) Family: He and his wife, Ingrid, have one daughter

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 11

Super Bowl Predictions San Francisco 49ers fans on campus sound off Nate Maleen Engineering faculty emeritus Born and raised in San Jose, Calif.

“From a downtrodden decade the 49ers have built an impressive array of very talented players. Now molded by an outstanding coaching staff, they are peaking at just the right time. Kaepernick gives them a dynamic quarterback who with the read option is the wave of the future. I expect a memorable performance by the 49ers.”

Score: 49ers win!

Bert Mills I.T. system administrator Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Calif.

“As long as we don’t beat ourselves, I think we can put enough pressure on Flacco to make him throw some picks.

Then we need to capitalize on the turnovers, and I think you’re going to see Kaepernick explode. I guarantee you that Coach Harbaugh has some surprises.”

Score: SF 29, Baltimore 21

carlos chale Spanish Professor Ontario, Calif.

This will be the strongest defense the ‘Niners have faced in the playoffs...This has the potential to either be kind of high scoring but it can also be very defensive. That’s my biggest worry because if it’s a low scoring game, then it comes down to your placekicker.”

Score: SF 27, Baltimore 24

Baltimore Ravens fans on campus sound off

Will Cook Student Broken Arrow, Okla.

“Baltimore needs to shut down the option attack of Colin Kaepernick. He can throw it deep and attack the safeties or hand it off to Gore and he will go up the gut for 50. Akers has been hit or miss. I think he will miss one. Flacco isn’t elite but now that he’s in the Super Bowl he is getting to that level.”

Score: Baltimore 27, SF 24

12 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE

JEREMIAH ALAVI Student Baltimore, Md. “I’ve pretty much loved Baltimore all my life. My brother and I just fell in love with the team. We’ve got an amazing defense. We’ve got a great secondary also. It’s definitely going to be interesting, playing against a fast-paced quarterback. We need to keep blitzing but be careful of the fast burst that Kaepernick has.”

Score: Baltimore 17, SF 14 Grant Reynolds Student Broken Arrow, Okla.

“The Ravens need to establish their run game early with Rice and Pierce, Flacco must make a few big plays downfield, and they must keep Colin Kaepernick in the pocket. Lewis is ready to lead his Ravens defense against Kaepernick and the 49ers on Sunday.”

Score: Baltimore 27, SF 24

Watching THE game?

Join the party at the Hammer Campus radio station KORU is joining with Student Experience to sponsor an “NFL Title Party” on Sunday in the new Armand Hammer Student-Alumni Center.

If you will be on campus during Super Bowl XLVII, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m., you’re invited to join hundreds of others who will gather in front of the largest television screen in the state of Oklahoma to watch the Baltimore Ravens battle the San Francisco 49ers.

The winner of the game will be champions of the 2012 NFL season. Both teams are undefeated in previous Super Bowls. The 49ers are 5-0, having claimed titles in 1981 (Cincinnati), 1984 (Miami), 1988 (Cincinnati), 1989 (Denver) and 1994 (San Diego). The Ravens have made it to the big game only once before, in 2000, when they beat the New York Giants.

Mark Labash, assistant professor for media and faculty adviser to KORU, said students are asked to wear the jerseys and hats for their favorite NFL team to the party and to choose which team they support by sitting on that side of the arena.

Those rooting for San Francisco should sit on the left side of the TV viewing area in the Hammer Center (think West Coast), and anyone supporting Baltimore should sit on the right side.

“We want some competition, so it will be more fun,” Labash said. “The game will be televised on the large screen monitor in the center of the building. Be loud. Be proud.”

He added that KORU and Student Experience plan to sponsor more activities like this in the future.

Things to know wherever you choose to watch Time: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 (pre-game coverage begins at 10 a.m.)

TV station: CBS (Channel 6 in Tulsa) Announcers: Jim Nance (play by play) and Phil Simms (color analyst) Location: Superdome in New Orleans, La. National anthem: Alicia Keys Halftime performer: Beyonce

Fishing team hopes to reel in victories

By David Sauer Many students at ORU may not know the school has a fishing team, let alone a successful one.

ORU’s fishing club was founded by team captain Zach Vankeulen during his freshman year. Since then, it has grown to include seven members who have competed in national and local tournaments. The team is currently sponsored by more than five organizations.

Though classified as a club, Vankeulen says the group

Courtesy Photo

Team captain Zach Vankeulen will be competing in the Bassmaster Classic.

functions more as a team than a club.

ORU’s fishing team competes in two different leagues, FLW and Boat US. This year, the team will be competing in at least six bass fishing tournaments. For some of these tournaments, the group will have to drive 10 to 12 hours away.

But for Jonathan Williamson, Vankeulen’s partner, the travel is one of his favorite parts of being on the team.

“If not the discounts [we get], I would have to say that I enjoy the travel the most,” Williamson said. “We get to see the most beautiful and best renowned lakes of the central United States, and when I say beautiful, I mean awe-inspiring.”

The fishing club has experienced some success during their short time at ORU. Although they haven’t recorded a win, they have placed in the top 10 five times.

A fourth place finish in Vankeulen’s first season netted the club $2,000 and a trip to a regional tournament where they placed ninth, better

than any other Oklahoma team had done previously.

Last season, the team took two top-10 finishes in fields consisting of 40 other fishing teams.

Vankeulen said the competition is extremely intense.

“We compete against OSU, OU, Texas, Texas A&M,” Vankeulen said. “All these schools have way more resources to pull from. It’s very, very, competitive but that’s what I love about it. It drives me to be better. It drives my partners to be better as a team.”

Vankeulen said there is a lot of work that has to be done in order to be competitive.

“To be competitive at the tournaments, it’s like adding another four-hour credit class,” Vankeulen said. “I do a lot of research. It’s basically being devoted to what you are doing.

Just like any other sport, you’ve got to spend time. You’ve got to be out there and you’ve got to practice in order to be competitive.”

When he gets the opportunity, Vankeulen spends 13 hours on the water, from sunup

to sundown. With his busy full-time college schedule, he usually gets two days per week to spend on the water. Williamson spends 10-20 hours during the summer, but during the school year only gets around 5-7 hours per week.

Williamson also mentioned the work involved to be successful.

“People often think that what we do is easy, but I assure you it is far more than putting a worm on a hook and throwing it into the water. You have to be willing to sleep three hours out of a weekend, after driving for 12, before fishing for eight, and driving another 12 back. Fivehour Energies and QT taquitos become staples in our diets, and the radio becomes the background of life.”

Despite the hard work, Williamson wouldn’t give it up.

“In the end, the infectious fun and continuous laughter, the fellowship of truly getting to know your friends and the adrenal spike of the competition make the ORU team what it is, worth it.”

For Vankeulen and most of

the other team members, who are seniors, this will be their last season with the club. There currently isn’t someone to take over the club when they graduate. Vankeulen said he doesn’t know what comes next for the team.

“Hopefully I’ll find that one person who’s as gung-ho as me that will take it over.”

Vankeulen said the team has been a uniting tool for people wanting the same activity.

“What it’s done is connected fellow outdoorsman,” Vankeulen said. “People that love to fish, people that love to hunt. It’s connected people that wouldn’t have otherwise been connected and I’d hate to see that lost.”

The biggest fish Vankeulen has caught came last summer when he reeled in a bass weighing almost 10 pounds.

“It was awesome,” he said.

“You could easily fit two fists down that fish’s mouth.”

Williamson’s biggest catch is a 350-pound black marlin. The biggest bass he has caught was approximately eight pounds.

BASSMASTER CLASSIC HITS TULSA The Super Bowl of fishing will be coming to Tulsa this February at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

The Bassmaster Classic will be made up of 50 of the best fishermen in the nation in pursuit of a $500,000 first prize and title. Weigh-in will be held at the BOK Center and the Tulsa Convention Center will house the Expo, where all the main fishing companies will be displaying their products. The ORU fishing team will be a part of the Expo where they will help run their sponsor’s booths.

Fishing team L-R: Zach Vankeulen, Jonathan Williamson, Peter Bjorkman, Samantha Barnhart, Amanda Nussbaum, Reed Schroder

Courtesy Photo

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 13

FEATURES

Superstorm Sandy hits ORU students at home and other organizations like Calvary

By Amber Smith holding large clumps Relief, Wallsten and the members of On Oct. 29 the of soil that now her church went through the streets world watched in hovered above newly distributing donated items like food, horror as Super Storm formed holes.” clothing, toiletries, cleaning supplies Sandy crashed into the Superstorm Sandy and giving out free massages and hairshores of Atlantic City, made disasters, which cuts to Sandy victims.

N.J. Winds peaked at were once remote and The greatest challenge for these 80 mph as the storm impersonal, hit terribly recovering people was the presence of churned for miles close to home. black water in homes and businesses. across Jersey’s land“We have all seen The mixture comes from flood waters scapes, ripping up trees, pictures of natural dilandmarks, businesses sasters before, but there coming into contact with sewage, pesand homes. is difference when it’s a ticides and other toxic material. These Amid billions of place you know; a place buildings must then be stripped of porous material, deemed toxic and be dollars in damage, over you’ve been,” Wallsten titled a public health hazard.

72,000 homes were desaid. “After getting in Wallsten and volunteers helped stroyed in New Jersey touch with my family gut houses that were damaged by the alone. Stateside, the and confirming that murky waters. death toll reached 125. they were all safe and These churches teamed up with Today, thousands Internet Photo provided for, I expected three hotels to house and supply 40 of victims still wait for Superstorm Sandy approaches the East Coast in October. to feel more relieved; utilities as simple as but as the news updates families with food and clothing. They also presented Christmas trees and ing services in his home where a small heaters while they face kept coming and the Facebook posts presents for the children affected by generator kept the power going. yet another battle: sub-freezing temkept streaming, I found myself feeling the storm.

Over Christmas break, students returned peratures. distressed.”

“There was no shortage of opporStudents hailing from the Northeast home to unrecognizable sights.

She funneled these overwhelming tunities to get involved and there were “The saddest part about the storm admitted that the recovery process is far feelings into avenues for service, travelso many rewards for doing so,” said was just seeing so many landmarks from over. ing back to N.J. to help with cleanup Wallsten. “There was never a boring gone,” said Piccinich.

“The boardwalks “I had seen news reports that a hurover winter break. moment.”

I grew up walking are completely ricane was heading for the East Coast, “The hardest thing for me to do in Wallsten said the acts of service changed now, especially the Seaside but I honestly wasn’t worried,” said Joy a crisis is to sit on my hands,” Wallalso provided an opportunity for sharHeights boardwalk.”

Wallsten, a junior international comsten said. “But there wasn’t much else ing their faith in the midst of tragedy.

It was the same for Wallsten. munity development major.

I could do from here...I struggled to “Despite the heaviness of the situa“When I arrived home for ChristJunior health and exercise science focus on my school for a while and tion, I found the time serving at home mas break, it was shocking to see the major Taylor Piccinich also remembers spent a good deal of my alone time in to be deeply encouraging and deeply mounds of debris piled in the front being taken off-guard by the severity of prayer.” satisfying.” yards of neighborhood homes and the storm.

Working alongside her church stacked high at random street corners,” “Usually each year we get some Wallsten said. type of tropical storm or hurricane, but “It is normal after a nothing of this size,” said Piccinich. storm to see some downed “Not too many people really knew what branches along the roads, was truly in store.”

Wallsten said. “But in the Both Piccinich and Wallsten call aftermath of Hurricane N.J. home and experienced firsthand Sandy it suddenly became the devastation Sandy brought. common to see large trees, The damage halted jobs, evacuated with trunks too thick to workers and canceled church services, wrap your arms around, except for a determined few.

The pastor of Wallsten’s church stands completely uprooted and Photo by Andrew Choflet as one of those who stayed behind, hold- their roots systems still Superstorm Sandy sent the Jet Star roller coaster into the ocean in Seaside Heights, N.J.

14 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE

SCENE

Getting the dish on Valentine’s Day delicacies

By Chelsey Butler Valentine’s Day is known as the biggest date night of the year. The wait at restaurants can easily be up to three hours, and if you don’t plan ahead, your date won’t be enthused with your lack of preparation. To help aid in preparation for the special day, here’s a handy guide of some of the most popular and romantic restaurants in Tulsa and the best way to make your dinner plans most efficiently.

Waterfront Grill One jack-of-all-trades restaurant is the Waterfront Grill. Their main selling point is their location on the Jenks Riverwalk, but that’s not to discredit the food.

The Waterfront Grill offers items such as seafood, steak and sushi, so if you and your date can’t agree on what to dine on, this might be a good location to choose. The Waterfront Grill isn’t taking reservations, so be sure to bide your time wisely if this restaurant sounds appetizing to you.

Waterfront’s slow-roasted prime rib.

In The Raw’s sushi ranges from 6-14 dollars per roll.

The Cheesecake Factory Located at 71st and Memorial in the Woodland Hills Mall parking lot, Cheesecake Factory is a local favorite.

Their variety of dishes can accommodate even the pickiest of eaters.

The atmosphere is beautiful, the service is really good and if you get water and split an order, it’s moderately affordable.

Unfortunately, its popularity causes it to be one of the most crowded restaurants, and reservations aren’t available for Valentine’s Day. Shoot for an early dinner or a long wait if Cheesecake Factory is in your plans.

In The Raw With covering the spectrum from hole-in-the-wall places to five star restaurants, there’s a variety of Sushi to be had in the area.

One of the best Sushi places in Tulsa is In The Raw. They have two locations—one on Brookside and another on 61st and Peoria.

They take reservations, but each do this process differently. Brookside In The Raw goes by time; you have to be in and out in two hours, 5-7 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. As for the Peoria location, they do reservations and walk-ins normally.

Shogun Steakhouse of Japan If the hodgepodge of American/Italian food doesn’t appeal to you, stepping outside of the box and taking a trip to Shogun Steakhouse of Japan might not be such a bad idea.

This restaurant offers different kinds of steaks and seafood’s prepared with an Asian twist.

Shogun takes reservations, but by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around they will be completely booked, specifically between 7-8 p.m.

Internet Photos

The Cheesecake Factory offers more indulgences than just cheesecake.

The Melting Pot Last, but not least, is The Melting Pot. This restaurant’s menu is based off the main theme of serving fondue. They have a variety of melted cheeses for meals and melted chocolates for dessert.

If you’re looking for something more substantial than cheese and chocolate, they also serve special steaks and seafood.

The Melting Pot is located on the Jenks Riverwalk. Although they take walk ins, they are going to be insanely busy come Valentine’s Day. If The Melting Pot fits your style, act quickly, because their books are almost completely full.

The Melting Pot menu is comprised of rare, specialty melted cheeses.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 15

Senior Kelsey Carroll: ORU’s own drama queen

By McKensie Garber A timid, red-headed freshman came to Oral Roberts University four years ago as a musical theatre major, but soon grew intimidated by the thought of pursuing the degree and switched to communications.

With a little nudge of fate, she ended up pursuing her dream in acting, playing many roles worthy of a standing ovation on the Howard Auditorium stage.

Alaska-native and senior drama television and film major Kelsey Carroll came to ORU with very little acting experience, but had been in choir her “entire life.” She participated in small church and school productions, but never had the opportunity to audition for professional productions.

“I was always too busy with sports,” Carroll said. “I played basketball, volleyball and soccer.”

After changing her major

to communications, Carroll decided to take Fundamentals of Acting, a class taught by Professor Courtneay Sanders just for fun.

“God was like telling me ‘try it, just try it,” Carroll said.

In this class she met Shannon Garcia, a freshman in the same situation.

Not yet a drama major, she was also intimated, but interested in pursuing acting. Both of these women have since taken the ORU theatre stage by storm.

“I met this really good friend and this coach that inspired me,” Carroll said. “They let me know this was the place I was supposed to be.”

“It was so cool to think about how God placed each other in our lives to encourage each other and motivate each other as actresses,” Garcia said. “If we didn’t have each other, I don’t think

we’d be in this major.”

The first role Carroll landed was Meg during her sophomore year in the six-person play “Crimes of the Heart.”

This was an ORU main stage play performed at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Carroll has played six major roles in ORU productions as well as several roles with the Playhouse Theatre.

This year, Carroll played the major roles of Flo in “Picnic” and Arkadina in Chekhov’s “The Seagull.” She will be playing the lead role of Dolly in ORU’s spring musical “Hello, Dolly!”

Carroll said the favorite role she played was the character of Hope in “Urinetown” for the Playhouse Theatre.

“She was the first character I got to be that was the innocent, flighty person,” Carroll said. They’re all fun for differ-

ent reasons.”

Carroll plans to stay in Tulsa after graduation and continue acting with Playhouse Theatre. She then plans to go to Austin or Dallas to hopefully establish herself in the theatre venues there.

Her ultimate goal is to be successful in film and stagework.

“Film is the direction I want to head,” Carroll said. “I would Photo by Chandler Branzell love to be established to where Kelsey Carroll stars as Irina Arkadina in I can do film Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.” and then go be in a “This department has really Broadway show.” good professors and you get a reOne of Carally good education,” Carroll said. roll’s dreams Her talent has not gone unwould be to play noticed by these professors. the villian of Ms. “Kelsey is incredibly disHannigan from ciplined,” Courtneay Sanders “Annie.” said. “She is one of very few “I love playing individuals who excel in each the villain,” Cargenre of play that she is workroll said. ing in. She has a glow about Though her strengths in acting her when she is on stage and a very charismatic presence. Her are many, Garcia drive to excel in her craft is particularly mensensational.” tioned her friend’s Carroll said she knows she versatility. will succeed in this field by “Kelsey’s stronremaining true to herself. gest attribute is “You dont have to try to be how she can mold someone else.” herself into each The best actors pull their character she plays,” characters from themselves,” Garcia said. “She Carroll said. “Be happy in you accesses a different and you’ll be a better actress or aspect of herself in whatever you do in life when every role...with you’re confident in yourself.” specificity and

Photo by Chandler Branzell

Garrek Reed and Kelsey Carroll perform a scene in “The Seagull” during a November performance.

16 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE

honesty.”

Battle of the bands Upcoming Student Association events lineup announced Watch these bands perform on February 7th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Mabee Center.

Alumni-Student Center Grand Opening February 1 Homecoming After Party February 2, 9-11:30 p.m.

After homecoming, come to the Marriot on 71st and Lewis to hang out with friends and enjoy a live DJ, photobooth and much more.

Shuttles will be available at the Mabee Center for student to catch a ride to the hotel.

Minute to Win It February 4, 5:30-7 p.m.

Compete in a series of challenges for a chance to win tickets to Homecoming. Sign up by couples in the SA office.

The Price is Right February 5, 7-9 p.m.

“Come on down to The Price is Right” to play classic Price is Right games and win great prizes.

filed with dancing, desserts and hors d’oeuvres at the Gilcrease Museum. Tickets are on sale in the SA office: $35/couple and $20/single.

Knockout Tournament February 6, 7-9 p.m.

Compete with your friends in games of knockout in the AC and get a chance to win two tickets to Homecoming Banquet.

Guys Open Dorms February 17, 3-6 p.m.

Battle of the Bands February 7, 7-10 p.m.

Watch your peers show off their musical talents Thursday at the Mabee Center. The first 250 people to arrive will receive free t-shirts.

Homecoming Banquet February 8, 8-11 p.m.

Come and enjoy a magical night

Girls Open Dorms March 3, 3-6 p.m.

Guys Open Dorms March 10, 3-6 p.m.

Girls Open Dorms April 7, 3-6 p.m.

Guys Open Dorms April 14, 3-6 p.m.

Source: orusa.netwww.

How to get to the Gilcrease Museum The ORU Homecoming Banquet will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 from 8-11 p.m. at the Gilcrease Museum.

Gilcrease Museum 1400 Gilcrease Museum Rd Tulsa, Okla. 74127 Below are driving directions: Driving directions to Gilcrease Museum from Oral Roberts University 12.8 mi., 20 minutes 1. Head north on S. Lewis Ave. toward Billy Joe Daugherty Cir 0.9 mi.

2. Turn left onto E. 71st St. S 1.1 mi.

3. Continue onto W. 71st St S 1.6 mi.

4. Take the ramp onto US-75 N 3.7 mi.

Photos by Chandler Branzell

5. Continue onto I-244 E 3.1 mi.

6. Take exit 5B on the left to merge onto US-412 W/US-64 W 1.1 mi.

7. Take the Gilcrease Museum Rd exit 0.3 mi.

8. Turn right onto N. 25th W Ave/ Gilcrease Museum Rd S - Continue to follow Gilcrease Museum Rd S Destination will be on the left 1.2 mi.

Source: Google Maps

Internet Photo

THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 17

Subjectively Objective: Accepting the idea

By Nathan Porter As a senior three months away from bursting out of the protective college bubble, I’m suddenly forced to stare at the vague, yet frightening picture of the rest of my life.

For me, the frightening part is not rooted in lack of preparation, intellectual fatigue or inevitable peril. No, I’m terrified because after three and a half years of preparing for the transition into the “real world,” it feels as though the only concrete thing I have pertaining to my future is an idea.

It’s difficult to be content with that.

Ideas are murky, abstract possibilities, with profits that seem imaginary at best. Still though, these imaginary concepts serve a vital purpose.

Ideas are at the core of almost everything in society. The one similarity that the entire universe shares with this column is that they both began as an idea.

Ultimately, whether it’s a sports play, fortune 500 company, government law or even a human being, nothing could exist without first forming as a preconceived concept.

Of course, it’s not mandatory to follow through on ideas, so we often dispose of these imaginary concepts and devise new ideas we deem more beneficial.

We change ideas at the line of scrimmage, we reject ideas from the front office, we veto ideas from the Oval Office and we abort ideas in clinics.

The truly amazing part is, that after the destruction of an idea, it feels as though nothing was lost. But this can’t be true.

Whether it is unrestricted success or intense failure, a rejected idea always leads to some sort of lost possibility.

Before I began writing this columnwhen the words on this page were only conceived thoughtsI hoped that the expression of my idea could successfully benefit you, the reader, in some way.

This could happen, but my expressed idea could also cause you courtesy photo to think thoughts that lead down a destructive path that may eventually ruin your life.

This might be a bit dramatic, but it’s still a slightly plausible possibility.

As much as I hoped for the first result when conceiving this article, I’d never know for sure until I began to write out these thoughts and give flesh to the idea.

It’s at this moment that the parallel between the universe and my column falls apart.

I am in complete control over leading the words on this page to success, not failure; whereas, in the broad scope of the universe, I am but a single word indelibly inscribed on the text of life, uncertain if the rest of my life leads to extreme bliss or intense horror.

For this reason, I remain terrified.

The world is filled with expressed ideas that manifested into terrible realities.

I can only hope that the force behind the idea of the universe gave flesh to one particularly transcendent idea that would be able to save us from all of the other destructive ones.

Looking forward, I choose to believe this. Of course, opponents to this expressed salvation point out the lack of concrete evidence supporting this claim.

And they’re right.

I have no definitive proof to validate my belief. But I do have an idea. And I plan to be eternally content with that.

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1/22/13 11:49 AM

Ad Fontes: How Christians should relate to culture Christianity irrelevant), but that they

By Greg Tanis would be shielded from the evils of it.

Jesus’ parable of In verse 18, Jesus states that just as the good Samarihe was sent from the bliss of heaven tan in the gospel into the misery of the world, so his of Luke chapter followers are sent from the perfection 10 shocked the of God’s kingdom out into the broken Jewish listeners. world.

For so long, We are called into purification by Jewish culture was courtesy photo God’s redemptive kingdom so that we segregated from may engage our culture and bring it the rest of the world. Even when under closer to God’s kingdom. rule of a foreign government (Rome), While we must not sacrifice the the Jews saw themselves as set apart kingdom for our culture, we should be from secular culture. They likely sympathized with the Levite and the priest, equally fearful of losing our culture in pursuit of the kingdom. who passed up the unclean man in In his book, “Christ and Culture,” order to keep themselves pure.

Richard Niebuhr outlines five tradiJewish laws existed to keep God’s tional Christian viewpoints of how chosen people pure and distinguishable Christ related to culture: Christ against from everyone else. culture (most commonly held by HoliBut Jesus came proclaiming that ness Pentecostals, Christian Brethren, things were different now. Jesus praised et. al.), Christ of culture the man who (Victorian liberals, reached out How do we distinguish ourselves contemporary to people as followers of Christ while still western evanaround him. being relevant to and relational gelicals), Christ The Samaritan towards our culture? above culture who engaged his (Roman Catholicism), surroundings rather than sequestering himself from the cor- Christ transforming culture (neoCalvinists) and Christ and culture in ruption is who Jesus tells the experts of paradox. The latter, which Niebuhr atthe law to imitate. tributes to Martin Luther, among othClearly, those familiar with Jewish ers, is the most cogent with the aforelaw needed to be told something was mentioned comments regarding how a different now that Jesus had come. This Christian ought to relate to culture. parable may be as shocking to conHowever, “Christ and culture in temporary Christians as it was to the paradox” is also the most hazy of the Jewish teachers of the law. options. It eschews the “either/or” paraJesus suggested that we are not digm and presents a world in which confined by cultural, social or religious groups. Neither should our aid and love Christians walk a gray line between living in the world and living in God’s be thusly confined. kingdom.

How then do we maintain distincIt’s not easy to do, and it looks diftion? How do we distinguish ourselves ferent for everyone. as followers of Christ while still being I believe it must be done with the relevant to and relational towards our guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that in culture? our efforts to be holy we do not forsake Christ prays, in John 17:15-16, not the world for which Jesus came, humthat his disciples would be removed bled himself, and died. from the world (for that would make

“

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THE ORACLE • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • 19

20 • Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 • THE ORACLE