Let’s hear it for Chapel bursting the ACU bubble.

Twice this week, speakers have delivered powerful, provocative, thoughtful statements of belief and conviction.

First, Dr. Royce Money, university president, brought war into Chapel, correctly ascertaining the need for students to hear about his opinion and think about forming their own.

Then, Sally Gary, instructor of communication, brought up an issue that at times has seemed forbidden on this campus: same-sex attraction.

We applaud both these members of the ACU community for what they had to say.

For a long time, the “ACU bubble” has been a topic of conversation around campus. But it’s not a novelty; it is a disease. And it infects college campuses around the country, whether small or large, conservative or liberal, Christian or secular.

Self-absorption and apathy are not qualities that should be accepted as the status quo, yet they are the traits that most affect the shaping of the bubble. For all the talk of changing the world, the ACU campus-on its hill, away from even the rest of the city in which it sits-has been more of a place to keep the realities of the world out.

War, homosexuality and racism are uncomfortable topics, but their relevance in today’s society is unquestioned, and the student body should welcome their discussion. Yet the realities of racism, especially in the south, are watered into a politically correct, feel-good promotion of diversity. As if merely having Black History Month will solve a centuries-old problem.

Homosexuality in Christendom has too often been expressed in Levitical terms, without an understanding of the social and emotional causes. Yes, it is wrong, but yes, there should be help.

We hope Gary’s talk Tuesday will lead to increased discussion and understanding amongst a population steeped in a tradition that condemns, rather than helps.

And war too often provides knee-jerk reactions from both pacifists and war-mongers. International support isn’t always needed, but national sovereignty doesn’t always take charge. Jesus wasn’t a strict pacifist; neither did he teach a “kill ’em all” philosophy.

These three issues are some of the biggest facing the world today. They should be more than touched upon; they should be explored, discussed and debated. This bubble of self-absorption and apathy needs to be popped in a violent and earth-shaking manner.

Let’s hope this week’s Chapel provided the pin to do that.