By Daisy Rodriguez, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – “Am I being a good neighbor?”
“The Samaritan man asked to Jesus, who is my neighbor? He was probably saying ‘tell me who is my neighbor and then I’ll go help them.’ But the right question is, who was a neighbor to that man?” Dr. Tony Cunha said.
Cunha is the dean and professor of music and chair for art and design. The theme of the chapel address and International Education Week is “Go Global.”
Cunha has been a faculty member at Campbellsville University since 2007. He previously served as a faculty member at the North Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary for 14 years.
“The man got something right in the story. He said, ‘The one who proved to me to be a true neighbor showed compassion.’ He finally got it right. Show compassion. Compassion drives action,” Cunha said.
“We become numb by our self interests and our self standards that we don’t see the needs that others have. And once again, let me just say, with all due respect, I feel so sorry for them,” he said.
“The world is packed with people with needs and much suffering. People can be so quiet about their pain that we forget that they are hurting.
“Sometimes we don’t want to talk to strangers. I get that. But I understand that God will lead us to talking and helping someone. And when we do that, He will protect us. He will be with us.”
Cunha said, “That’s what we are learning in this lesson. That man ‘the Samaritan’ did not know who that half-dead man on the road was, but he still chose to help him. Regardless if he was sick, poor or rich.”
“We should ask ourselves, ‘am I being a neighbor?’ Instead of asking ‘who is my neighbor?’” Cunha said.
Cunha has a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree from the North Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. Cunha earned his Master of Music and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
His wife, Raquel Cunha, director of English as a Second Language at Campbellsville University, and they have four children: Emily, Raphael, Gabriel and Beatrice.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 100 programs of studying including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.