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‘Evil NOT Winning’
Piedmont Trustee Chairman Gus Arrendale presents honorary doctorate degree to Clifford D. Schutjer.
The Rev. Clifford D. Schutjer spoke to the largest class in the 107-year history of Piedmont College. The Johnny Mize Athletic Center was filled to capacity twice on Saturday, May 8, 2004 as 219 undergraduates and 423 graduates were awarded degrees.
In his commencement address, the Rev. Schutjer, Senior Minister, First Congregational church, Mansfield, Ohio, told the undergraduates that with everything going on in the world, it is hard not to be discouraged. “Terrorism, environmental trends, cracks in the education system, and you might wonder what kind of world this is becoming . . . but every time in history has had people who were absolutely certain that all is now becoming hopeless and horrible, that the human adventure had to be winding down to a terrible end.”
But, Schutjer said, “The feeling was much the same 3500 years ago according to an Assyrian inscription bemoaning the fact that ‘Our earth is degenerate in these latter days; there are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end; bribery and corruption are common; children no longer obey their parents. Every man wants to write a book and the end of the world is evidently approaching.’
“And it turns out, as you know, that human life was more resilient, more durable, more forgiving than he and all his gloomy descendants thought possible. In fact a remarkable future still lay ahead.” Schutjer said. “Human beings are not getting steadily worse. Evil is not winning out. The future is still wide open. The changes that we are experiencing are not more destructive or immoral than those faced in the past, although they are substantially different.”
Following his speech, the Rev. Schutjer was awarded an honorary doctorate from the college. Several members of his family, who had managed to keep the news a surprise until it was divulged moments before the commencement exercises, shared in the celebration.
Information provided by the Rev. Ashley Cook, Director of Church Relations, and by David Price, Director of Public Relations, Piedmont College.
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