Honors College Students Represent Regent at the Lux Mea
This fall break, seven Honors College students from Regent University attended the Lux Mea at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Also known as The Intercollegiate Colloquium on the Liberal Arts, the Lux Mea brings honorary students from Christian liberal art universities to discuss humanity, philosophy, theology, and art.
For four days, students and professors from different schools and backgrounds gathered and deliberated on the theme of humility. The discussions were based on a collection of readings that contained writings from Confucius, Aristotle, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Benjamin Franklin, and even controversial modern speakers such as Kanye West. Questions included whether humility is an exclusively Christian virtue as well as if it is connected to ignorance or knowledge. The colloquium was attended by students from well-known Christian universities, such as Messiah College, Geneva University, Hillsdale College, and Samford University.
Led by Dr. Andrew Mitchell, the Lux Mea allowed students to discuss complex topics through the lens of a Biblical worldview. The students not only learned about humility but also practiced it by learning to agree to disagree and respect differing opinions throughout the colloquium. By sharing time, meals, and laughter, the students and professors felt not only acquainted with each other but also known and heard. To put it simply, the Lux Mea was refreshing.
Students stayed in Grove City College dorms hosted by students who participated in the colloquium. One of the best parts of the Lux Mea was getting to meet like-minded individuals who were passionate about truth and wisdom and spreading the gospel in a world that is looking towards darkness rather than Christ for a blessed life.
Regent University’s Dr. Jeremy Larson and Dr. Elizabeth Parker led the students with excellence and made them feel supported and welcomed. From long car rides to early morning sessions, the professors joyfully assisted the students with getting the most out of the colloquium.
Students discussed humility in the Classical Era and Old Testament, as well as in Premodern Christianity, modernity, and the fine arts. The discussions also expounded on the application of humility in forgiveness, friendship, surrender, and even modern architecture.
The Lux Mea is held annually at Grove City College, and the founders hope to continue inspiring generations of believers to live boldly for Christ. The remedy to darkness is light, and the cure for a prideful world is Christ and His humble church. Learning to surrender to God daily and love one’s neighbor is the most beautiful form of humility which empowers one to shine bright and change the atmosphere of culture. A great quote in the book On the Human Condition by St. Basil the Great mentions how if “the soul slips gradually toward the passion of the flesh its own beauty is destroyed” yet “cleansed from the shame of evil, through virtue it ascends quickly toward the likeness of the Creator.” St. Basil the Great was a Greek bishop, theologian, and early Church Father that defended the Christian faith against heresy.
As Christians we must daily reflect on our faith and challenge ourselves to refute heresies and walk in the truth despite the circumstances. To live virtuously, one must examine oneself. Some great questions to ponder on could be: What do I need to surrender to Christ? Do I love those around me, including those who hurt me? How can I better apply humility today? As stated in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine” (New Living Translation). To self-evaluate oneself through the Word of God and to be sharpened by a strong community of friends is life-changing and necessary.
