VENITE ADOREMUS- COME, LET US ADORE HIM
Christianity, as a monotheistic religion, teaches two fundamental truths. First, that there is God
for who man has a capacity. This God is described in several passages of Sacred Scripture as
having created the worlds, in a majestic display of power and purpose, the climax of which is
man and woman, in His Imago and Similitude, mandating them to reproduce, conquer and
dominate the earth (Gen. 1:28). The second truth focuses on the reality of sin and the Mystery of
the Incarnation and Virgin Birth we celebrate today. Dorothy Sayers once described this as the
“Greatest Drama Ever Staged” in human history, that God, embraced human form (Phil.2:7), and
by this mystery, became a descendant of the royal family of David and died for our sins (1Cor.
15:3) by crucifixion and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25) and designated “Son of
God” in power by means of his resurrection from the dead (Rom.1:4).
In Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 1:18-24, we find an interesting narrative, where a Pregnant Virgin,
Mary of Nazareth, daughter of Joachim and Ann, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, became
the place where the eternal Son of God would make a dramatic entrance unto the scene of human
history. Mary of Nazareth became the place where the hypostatic union of the Son of God with
human nature is realized and accomplished; a reality which dates back to the proto-evangelium
(Gen. 3:15) - the first good news- where humanity’s ultimate victory- our first glimmer of hope
and salvation was pronounced. Ultimately, in Jesus Christ, God has spoken His final Word. The
Word which God has spoken is purely and authentically Christological.
Why is the Birth of Jesus Christ so important to us? Jesus comes to reconcile humanity with
God. He brings love, healing, peace, renewal and liberty to the hungry and oppressed. In this
way, Jesus fulfils the promise of the messianic kingdom and the peace the prophets of Old
preached. Our world is increasingly becoming threatened by the products of our own hands.
Ethical and spiritual developments are lagging behind technological advancements, because we
have forgotten the priority of ethics over technology, the primacy of the person over things as
well as the precedence of labour over capital.
As human beings, we are created in God’s Image and Likeness and have a fundamental dignity.
This dignity comes along with certain rights and responsibilities, including that of actively
shaping our histories and destinies, both as individuals and as communities. As we celebrate the
birth of Jesus Christ today, December 25, or anytime we choose to, we are invited to commit
ourselves to working towards a radical transformation of the world. God’s plan and purpose for
us is a new heaven and a new earth, a Kingdom of social justice and peace, holiness, grace and
personal fulfillment. Jesus came and proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom, a turning around of
our lives, a turning upside-down of the world’s values. Jesus invites us today, to free ourselves
from everything that militates against the fullness of life and our collective social existence.
©Dr. Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba,
Saturday, December 25, 2021
eivorgba@gmail.com
Dear GIU Governing Council,
Greetings of peace and blessings. I hope this finds you all well. I am so happy and grateful today
for the good news of recovery from our beloved colleague Sushmita. COVID has certainly
challenged our world today, but I believe that everyone working together- the Scientists,
religious people- we will bring an end to this. As we work hard on this, and other social ills
militating against our collective social existence, God, Allah, the Creator and Owner of all life,
will crown our efforts with success.
After our Inaugural Governing Council Meeting in January 2022, we have continued to record
some progress in our work. We received full Accreditation from International Association for
Quality Assurance in Higher Education (QAHE): https://www.giuniversity.net/l/qahe-offers-fullaccreditation-to-global-interfaith-university/. This gives us a total of two full accreditations so
far. We are also currently in very fruitful discussions with the California University FCE. These
discussions started in November 2021. As Patrick Horn rightly observed some time ago, this
initial accreditations are going to be very useful and helpful to us, especially in terms of
publicity. So, I think it is appropriate to celebrate, even at this stage.
So far, we have the skeleton of our new Global Interfaith University in place. Now it is time to
add muscles and flesh to the skeleton. With the Governing Council now in place, we have the
Administrative/Management part of the muscles. The Academics side is also coming up
gradually. Patrick Horn, our Dean of Academic Affairs is doing a lot of work behind the scenes
on this. I will share a background document Patrick has produced on this shortly.
In addition to the Committees Patrick suggested during our Inaugural Meeting, I also recommend
that we add another Committee responsible to Development and Institutional Advancement.
Responsibilities for this Committee will also include Financial Management. My understanding
is that, as we work and drive this dream forward, we must be honest, transparent and accountable
in the way we raise funds and most importantly, the way we apply the funds raised, in line with
State and Federal Laws. I have created a fundraising page for us at GivingWay- an international
fundraising platform for good causes like ours: https://www.givingway.com/organization/globalinterfaith-university. I encourage us to visit this page to sign up and write Reviews for GIU.
Reviews an important way of building credibility and recognition. Once we have the
Development and Institutional Advancement Committee in place, the members will have direct
access this account, to follow up, document and apply any funds generated to good causes, as
will be approved by the Governing Council. As we move forward with fundraising and as
student enrolment begins, we will certainly have to compensate/pay Lecturers and several other
persons for different kinds of services.
There is also need for us to formally appoint or elect a Chairman/Chairperson for the Governing
Council. While it is true that I am privileged to be the Founder and President, I cannot at the
same time, serve as Chairperson of the Governing Council. We need someone with more
experience and wisdom and greater network to lead us as Chairperson of the Governing Council.
Finally, we may need to meet again, earlier than the second quarter. Our regular GC Meetings
are supposed to be quarterly, as indicated in our Rules, but in between, we can hold emergency
meetings to take decisions on certain issues.
Please, forgive me for this lengthy epistle. I know how very busy we all are, so I am sincerely
sorry for eating into your very busy schedules.
Thanks most sincerely,
Emmanuel