Colorado Christian University mourns the tragic death and unjust killing of George Floyd this past week, where police in Minneapolis betrayed their oath to preserve and protect. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident and points to a deeper racism that festers in our land.
As Christians, we reaffirm the dignity of all people made in the image of God and condemn the sin of racism in whatever form it takes. Christ came into the world to undo sin, oppression, and racism. Therefore, we stand in solidarity with those who are peacefully protesting this injustice and must recommit ourselves as a nation and as a university to equal justice under the law.
At the same time, we also condemn those who seek to exploit the tragedy of this situation by looting, torching vehicles, burning buildings, defacing national monuments and destroying hundreds of businesses. The number of people killed as a result of violent protest represents a disturbing breakdown in the rule of law and cannot be excused as a just response to this incident. As CCU Advisory Council member Bob Woodson, said in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, “violent protests in Minnesota and around the country are devastating the people in whose name they demand justice.”
To members of our CCU community who are African American, you have our love and support at this difficult time. We recommit ourselves to your safety and well-being and to pushing forward conversations about race, dignity, and justice this next academic year. To members of our community who are involved in law enforcement (police, national guard, military, etc.), we reaffirm your important role in our society in preserving law and order and ask you to think deeply about wielding this power justly.
The disturbing events of the past week come in the midst of a global pandemic that has disrupted everyone’s life, left millions unemployed, and put all of us on edge. In the midst of such a time, may we look to Jesus Christ and the Bible for guidance about how to conduct our lives, pray for our nation’s leaders as they respond to these events, and recommit ourselves to being a Christ-centered community, faithful to God’s Word, obedient to His commands.
We are still learning how to live lives that reflect grace and truth, and to do this well. Yet now is the time to work and pray for justice, healing, and reconciliation. This difficult moment in our nation’s history is a charge for God’s people to be bold and courageous — to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.
Yours in His service,
Dr. Donald W. Sweeting
President