Dan Augsburger, College Friend

During my first two years in College, Dan was the president of the religious arm of the Student Association: ACYA, (Andrews Christian Youth in Action). Even though Dan was an upper classman, because of my leadership with the spiritual activities on campus, Dan and I were in the same friend group. (Also, Dan’s dad, Dr. Augsburger, taught my 7:30 a.m. Life and Teachings of Jesus course my first semester at Andrews. We had many parties at the Augsburger Home.)

One day Dan, a friend Dave, and I were returning from a trip to town and were driving toward Westwood Drive near the home of Dan’s parents. (I’m specific about the location because it was another one of those defining moments.) As usual, we were having a spiritual conversation. This time it was about a book that talked about salvation. I remember sitting on the edge of the back seat with my elbows propped over the front bench seat as we talked. (No seat belt.) I recall saying:

“Are you telling me that there’s nothing, nothing we can/must do in order to be saved?”

The response: “That’s right. Nothing. Salvation is a gift.”

Yes, I had had this conversation with Duane Anderson, my Bible teacher at TJA, but now I was older with a greater recognition of sin and my unworthiness. I think this is a conversation we will likely have often because human nature (and the devil) makes us believe we must earn what we get.

During that car conversation, I remember being overwhelmed with a sense of God’s love and the deepening desire to give Him everything. It was that year that I stumbled across Romans 12. That chapter became my go-to place for learning how I could live out a life of gratitude to God. (You can learn more about the impact of Romans 12 by watching the video of the May 30 program and the sermon in 2020.)