No surprise on either count. Liberty University, after all, was founded as a Christian alternative to secular "elite" universities, and speaking at the thrice-weekly convocation in the University's basketball arena does demand the obligatory come to Jesus moment. Perry's was textbook: the humble beginnings with few material amenities; the loving, devoted parents; the aw-shucks, who could possibly be expected to understand organic chemistry; hopes of veterinary school dashed; I was wandering in the desert, until: "God uses broken people to reach a broken world. The mistakes of yesterday say nothing about the possibilities of tomorrow."
The speech was quintessentially evangelical, but without the hallmarks of the neo-Pentecostalism that pervaded his prayer event in Houston, The Response, last month. No revelations straight from God. No signs and wonders. Just an ordinary, lost and broken guy with a Road to Damascus moment stripped dry of spirit-filled moments of lightening and tongue-talking. Clinical, if you will.
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