Courtesy of the Scholars in Residence lecture series on March 2-9, Perry L. Glanzer, associate professor of educational foundations and resident scholar at the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, spoke in a series titled Identity Wars: Battling for our Humanity in American Higher Education. Glanzer has most recently co-authored the book “The Quest for Purpose: The Collegiate Search for a Meaningful Life.”
Sponsored by the Honors Community, the series took place in Hartley Hall of Jennings. Throughout the series, Glanzer spoke about the loss of identity in general education, rediscovering your identity, rethinking key collegiate identities and stewardship.
On the second night of the lectures, Glanzer shared his experience of being bedridden for nine months, leaving him struggling with the Lord.
“I felt like I lost so many of my identities and sources of fulfillment,” said Glanzer. “Amid my struggles, I had to remind myself continually that I am still loved and cared for by God, made in His image to fulfill His purposes.”
However, remembering and feeling the Lord’s love in the midst of struggles and pain can be difficult, and Glanzer spoke to his experience with that as well.
“I didn’t always feel God’s love. In fact, at times, I felt like Job and at times, I yelled at God. I screamed at God. I felt abandoned and wondered where God was,” said Glanzer.
Glanzer went on to reassure the audience of the hope that there is in having a relationship with the Lord as Comforter and Healer. He emphasized the importance of remembering who you are because of who the Lord is and not allowing pain, accomplishments or other relationships to define you.
Raelen VanDuzer, sophomore linguistics major, gleaned a sense of hope from Glanzer’s lecture, stating that she has had trouble with where she finds her identity.
“It’s helpful to think about the alternative positive possibility,” said VanDuzer.
Throughout the lecture, Glanzer emphasized the importance of recognizing God and how He made all humans in His image. Glanzer stated that without this understanding, one cannot truly flourish as a human being.
The next lecture will take place on Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m. in Hartley Hall of Jennings, concluding the 2020 Scholars in Residence lecture series.
Photo courtesy of Union University
