LU prays for UVA shooting victims’ families; author Randy Alcorn speaks on Heaven at Convocation

Liberty University Interim President Jerry Prevo led students in a time of prayer during Wednesday morning’s Convocation for those affected by the deadly Nov. 13 shooting on the University of Virginia campus in which three UVA football players were killed and another player and a student were wounded.

After a brief announcement regarding future construction projects on campus, Prevo asked students to join him in praying for the families of the shooting victims and the entire UVA community.

On Monday, Prevo shared a message on social media: “Today we lift our neighboring UVA community up in prayer. We pray for peace and comfort for all those affected, and wisdom and guidance in moving forward in this heartbreakingly solemn hour. May the peace that surpasses all understanding cover this community as we unite behind them. We stand with you, ‘Hoos.'”

Liberty’s Freedom Tower has been lit in UVA’s colors — blue and orange — since Monday night.

The Convocation continued with Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell and special guest Randy Alcorn, who discussed the importance of looking forward to Heaven. Alcorn has authored over 60 books and is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries, a nonprofit organization that helps spread the Gospel and feed those in need. Alcorn emphasized the importance of living a life that includes both grace and truth.

“You are going to be tempted to (favor) truth instead of grace if that is your orientation, or go to grace instead of going to truth,” Alcorn said. “We have to simultaneously, in a Christ-like and humble way, unapologetically speak what is true, but (do so) in a genuinely, from-the-heart and loving way. Because we really do love the Lord, our God, with all of our hearts. We really do love our neighbor as ourselves.”

Alcorn then spoke about the importance of biblical literacy. While he did not negate the significance of living out one’s faith, Alcorn argued that increasing in biblical knowledge and sound teaching is crucial to fulfilling the Great Commission.

Citing a study by Lifeway, Alcorn said 73 percent of evangelical Christians believe that Jesus was created by God, so he urged those in attendance to hold a proper understanding of who Jesus is and argued that a proper view of Christ is essential to the Christian faith.

Alcorn also addressed the issue of Christians leaving the church and said that those who do so are ultimately insulting God. In order to serve God correctly, one must be a part of the church.

“If we abandon the church, then we are in some respects betraying Jesus, the Lord of the church,” he said.

Following this discussion, Alcorn and Falwell spoke about Heaven and the common misconceptions that Christians have about the afterlife. Alcorn stressed that he believes the Resurrection and new earth will include many of the good things from this world and will not be the “boring” idea of Heaven that so many people have today. Having recently lost his late wife, Nancy, Alcorn said he looks forward to the time when he will live with his wife for eternity.

“There will still be people of every tribe and nation and language,” he said. “We will have diversified culture centered around Jesus Christ and who He is. Everything we do will be to His glory. And that is what keeps me going as I look forward to that new world with my Nancy.”

Alcorn demonstrated how any type of misconception about the excitement of Heaven comes from the lies of the Devil.

“We’ve got to set our minds around the fact that the truth that sets us free is beautiful and wonderful,” he said. “Satan has a vested interest in making people have the wrong view of Heaven. He does not want you to look forward to Heaven or the Resurrection and the new earth. He got kicked out of Heaven. He’s prejudiced against it.”

He concluded by responding to the question of “why a loving God would allow suffering,” pointing to the fact that there is goodness in the world. Alcorn argued that if survival of the fittest truly dictated life, nobody would live sacrificially. Ultimately, Jesus’s death on the cross proves His love.

“There is no answer to the question of evil and suffering that is larger than the question itself, except Jesus with the scars on His hands and feet,” Alcorn said. “And if you ever doubt the love of God for you, think of Him reaching out and stretching His arms and saying, ‘Do these look like the hands and feet of a God who does not care?’”

Alcorn was scheduled to continue his message about suffering at Campus Community on Wednesday night.