Preacher speaks of damnation, redemption; students respond to message
Dustin Johnson
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News
|
"Attention, students, faculty and staff. Hear ye the word of God. Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand," Sowing announced after he noticed student activity picking up in the quad Thursday afternoon.
It was the opportunity he had been "waiting for all day." According to Sowing, it was an opportunity to "preach the gospel of Christ and save college students from eternal damnation."
Some heads turned and listened intently, while others paid little or no attention. Small groups of students began to congregate outside the student union in the shade to hear more of Sowing's message.
"I was on the football team, I was getting high, drinking and fornicating, but I didn't think I was a bad guy. I wasn't killing anyone or raping anyone, but I would've gone to hell all the same if I had not found Jesus," said Sowing in an effort to identify with the students.
After giving a testimony of his spiritual rebirth, Sowing began to call the on-looking students fornicators, dope fiends, homosexuals, alcoholics and idolaters who would "surely go to hell." He assured his audience that his message was one "your preacher would not dare teach."
When asked how his message could be considered a loving one with such an emphasis on hell, Sowing said, "You can use hell in a hurtful way to warn people about it, and in turn you are showing them love."
One student asked Sowing why he felt that he could make judgments about others. "People judge other people every day. What I am doing here is no different," responded Sowing, raising his bible high over head.
A student looking on from the smoking area beside Einstein Bros. commented, "He is just a crazy guy that has a permit to yell at us." Although it was not confirmed if officials gave Sowing a permit to preach on campus, he says that he does plan to return to McNeese before the Spring 2008 semester is over.
Be the first to comment on this story