A Higher Purpose

Exploring Intersecting Interests 

Born in Georgia and raised in Kentucky, Cordray has lived in Agoura Hills for the past decade with his family. He transferred to Cal Lutheran in Fall 2020 after earning associate degrees in philosophy and natural sciences from Moorpark College. He chose to attend the university because of its emphasis on undergraduate students.

“Cal Lutheran has excellent small class sizes and professors who are accessible to students,” he says.

Beginning in his junior year, Cordray pursued majors that cover topics of great interest to him: biochemistry and molecular biology and religion and theology.

“Biochemistry is fascinating to me because it explains the ‘why’ behind so much of biology,” Cordray explains. “The incredible complexity of biology at the molecular level, I believe, is not recognized or appreciated by most people. Religion and theology, to me, is the highest possible academic pursuit, so of course, I want to examine them to the best of my ability. Ultimately, I have a calling to practice medicine, and my choice of majors reflects what I believe to be the best preparation for that endeavor.”

Cordray has practical experience in the field of medicine. Since May 2019, he has worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT), and he presently works as an emergency department technician (EDT) at Adventist Health Simi Valley.  The job has given him a glimpse of what he will eventually do as a physician. In his current role, he works closely with patients assessing their needs, communicating with them and their families, fitting them with crutches and splints, and performing other technical duties such as EKGs, phlebotomy, and assisting physicians with procedures.

“Working as an EMT has taught me that medicine is not a glamorous profession. It is dirty, difficult, and humbling. Though it has the perception of prestige, medicine is really service work.”

Through his coursework in biochemistry and molecular biology, Cordray has sharpened his ability to solve problems, a necessary skill for any physician.

“While I have gained lots of specific knowledge from my biochemistry studies, particularly in the area of my research for [biology professor] Dr. Michael Abdelsayed, I believe the greatest benefit of my training has been the development of scientific reasoning skills. I hope these will serve me well for the rest of my career.”

With regard to his other major, religion and theology, Cordray wanted to explore his religious beliefs through a scholastic lens. 

“I am a Christian and wanted to investigate my faith academically,” he says. “I am particularly interested in Biblical cultural hermeneutics [The theory and practice of interpretation, where interpretation involves an understanding that can be justified]. I think this is characterized well by the phrase, ‘The Bible was written for us, but not to us.’”

Through both of his majors, Cordray has learned new things about himself and his worldview. His biblical studies changed many preconceived notions he had about religion and the Bible.

“I have learned that interpreting the Bible faithfully, or understanding it as those who received it would have understood it, is a challenging task. A critical examination of my Christianity has strengthened my core faith but weakened my confidence in some evangelical presuppositions which I now view as peripheral at best to Christian faith.”

A Nurturing Network 

Cordray’s interactions with his professors have proven fruitful. He states his most meaningful experiences at Cal Lutheran have come from the mentorship he has received from faculty.

“While it is difficult to pick out a single professor, I will say that Dr. Julia Fogg has had the greatest spiritual impact on me. I am also very grateful to Dr. Abdelsayed for his teaching me how to think like a scientist,” he says.

He cites Dr. Fogg‘s willingness to spend time with him to answer spiritual inquiries he has.

“I am so grateful for her loving investment in me. Her eagerness to address difficult questions, and to engage in long, deep conversations outside of class time, has been instrumental in my development as a scholar of religion and as a Christian.”

Cordray’s studies have undoubtedly influenced his career choice and the types of patients he wants to serve. Although he is unsure which medical school he will attend, he is sure of his calling.

“Ultimately, I want to become a missionary physician. Following Jesus’s model of healing, I want to serve those who would otherwise go without care.”

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