Christ Preeminent: The Center That Holds All Things Together

By Dr. Douglas F. Mann, President of Bryan College

“Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book.” Though these words belong to the ancient Roman writer Cicero, they sound as if they could have been written today. Every generation faces its share of turmoil—political division, cultural tension, economic uncertainty, and rapid technological change. We often say we live in “unprecedented times,” but history reminds us that every age has felt its own shaking. The question that echoes through the centuries is the same: Is there anything solid—anything that endures?

For followers of Jesus Christ, the answer is found not in the shifting circumstances of the world, but in the unchanging truth of God’s Word. In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul proclaims this bedrock reality:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… and in Him all things hold together.”
— Colossians 1:15–17

These words reveal the heart of the Christian faith. Christ is not merely a moral teacher or historical figure—He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of all. Everything that exists, from the smallest particle to the farthest galaxy, finds its purpose and coherence in Him. Life itself holds together because He holds it together.

The writer of Hebrews echoes this majestic truth:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.”
— Hebrews 1:3

This is not poetic exaggeration—it is profound reality and Truth. The same Christ who walked the roads of Galilee and bore the cross of Calvary is the One through whom all things were made and by whom all things continue to exist. He reigns over every era of history, every corner of creation, and every heartbeat of human life.

At Bryan College, this Truth—Christ Above All—has been our foundation for more than 95 years. It shapes our academic and community life and our mission. Every classroom lecture, every athletic competition, every act of service flows from the conviction that Jesus Christ is preeminent in all things. Our pursuit of excellence is not an end in itself; rather,  it is a means of glorifying the One who holds all knowledge and truth.

We are committed to helping students see how Christ’s lordship transforms the way they think, live, and serve. Whether studying biology or business, literature or physics, our students learn to view their disciplines through the lens of a biblical worldview—recognizing that all truth is God’s truth. We believe that when students understand that Christ holds all things together, they can approach their professions, families, churches, and communities with confidence and purpose. They will, as our mission states, “make a difference for Christ.”

To confess that Christ is preeminent is to live with both humility and courage: humility, because everything we have is sustained by Him; and courage, because His power and presence make life meaningful, even amid uncertainty.

As we look to the future, our confidence remains in this unchanging truth:
Christ Above All—past, present, and future.

He is the foundation of Bryan College, the center of our hope, and the One who truly holds all things together.