From the
PRESIDENT
鈥淩esilience鈥� is a term we hear often at Pepperdine.
It is a word that, for many years, through both expected and unexpected challenges, has defined who we are. Yet this year, we saw resilience in a new way as our community endured together the challenges of the Franklin, Palisades, and Eaton Fires. I can hardly imagine a more striking picture of resilience than our cross standing firm, even through fire. This powerful image echoes the promise of the gospel: the promise that, at the cross, we find an ever-present, unshakable refuge鈥攁 foundation that can withstand the storms of life.
The gospel never promises a life free of difficulty. In fact, difficulty itself is promised. In the 16th chapter of John, during some of his last moments with his disciples, Jesus warns them of the many trials they can expect to endure. But along with the promise of trials, he also gives them, and us, a powerful promise of hope: 鈥淚n this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.鈥�
Because of Christ鈥檚 victory, we have a steadfast hope that anchors us.
As I have pondered the resilience shown by our community, I have noticed a profound connection between this resilient character and the idea that has been at the heart of our collective thinking at Pepperdine this past year鈥� the idea of freedom. I have been struck, in particular, by the book of James, which often employs the phrase 鈥渢he law of liberty鈥� or 鈥渢he law that gives freedom.鈥� This expression rings as paradoxical to modern ears; we think of law as taking away鈥攔ather than giving鈥攆reedom.
But the freedom that James commends speaks of something deeper than simply unlimited options or lack of external restraints. He has in mind an inner freedom that comes only from the human soul being oriented toward the good. The law of Christ, written on our hearts, liberates us to find our purpose and pursue our calling. True liberty鈥攖he freedom found in Jesus鈥攊s the ability to become the people we were created to be. And it is this kind of freedom that produces the abundant life resilient enough to flourish in even the most difficult of situations.
I saw this firsthand as we walked through the fires together this winter. I saw our campus fulfill the call to service鈥攂oth to one another and to the larger community鈥攕haring their resources, efforts, and love with those in need. I saw our people live out the true purpose of freedom as defined in Galatians 5:13: 鈥淔or you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don鈥檛 use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.鈥� I saw a living, breathing picture of Pepperdine鈥檚 motto: our community freely giving what they have freely received.
This God-given, others-oriented liberty鈥攃entral to Pepperdine鈥檚 core values鈥攆rees us to flourish in all circumstances and in all aspects of university life. Our students are free to pursue truth without fear in every discipline, knowing truth has nothing to fear from investigation. They are free to explore the world, learning from the depth and beauty of cultures across the globe. They are free to succeed in their fields of study, inspired by our exceptional faculty who seek to cultivate the whole person鈥攂ody, mind, and soul. They are free to flourish in lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
Sincerely,
JIM GASH President and CEO