Jim Wallis Event Scheduled at Cedarville
[URL=http://www.cedarville.edu/departments/studentlifeprograms/criticalconce… The Critical Concern Series[/URL] will bring both of these individuals together on our campus for a serious discussion about the responsibility that Christians have to be stewards of the resources that we control, using those resources wisely to care for those in need. The session will be moderated by Rob Moll, Editor at large for Christianity Today, and the 2006 Cedarville University Young Alumnus of the Year.
I live within spitting distance of Cedarville, and it’s true that no one really believes that CU reflects conservative or Fundamental Christianity any more, but I hesitate to be completely critical of what IMO would be a legitimate event for a university.
The objections to Wallis’ participation include the idea that the work of an emergent liberal church activist is going to be presented in a favorable light, but I view many writings and opinions of men and women who aren’t even Christian in a favorable light. You have to learn that as an individual, you are responsible to weigh and measure everything by the Word of God, to accept the value of what is supported by or consistent with Scripture and disregard the rest. I recommend books all the time by authors who are evolutionists, rabbis, political analysts… and I don’t expect to have to hold anyone’s hand while they read. I would think that college students should be able to tolerate exposure to research and opinions that are from a variety of perspectives.
On the other hand, I understand the objections raised if the college actively encourages the student body to accept the ideologies of men and women who are clearly in error on some serious Scriptural issues. The point of the series is for controversial topics to be explored from a Biblical perspective, so how can someone who doesn’t embrace sound Bible doctrine be a good choice for such an exercise?
So- I agree that one should expect CU to bring in someone who would be better suited to discuss this topic from a solid Biblical perspective than Wallis.
As I read this article, I was amazed at the ignorance that lighthouse trails has of Jim Wallis, the person. I have read almost all of his books dating back to the 1970’s with “Call to Conversion” and yes, his political views are mostly liberal, but his personal theology is more along the lines of a mainline evangelical. Because he does not mostly believe in the doctrine of separation (however, he did get rid of some Matthew Fox mystics from his organization a couple decades ago and even called their views heretical) http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/may/9.52.html?start=3http://ww… it should not surprise us that he is friends with people such as Brian McLaren and even lets them write on the Sojourners blogsite. By the way, their articles are almost always about public policies and a generic faith foundation as support for some of their beliefs such as world hunger and poverty, debt reduction, climate change, and etc…..
Also, just because some emergents are influenced by Jim Wallis doesn’t necessarily make him emergent! Maybe I am not understanding where lighthouse is coming from but if we took that logic when it comes to “guilt by association,” am I considered an “emergent” because I’ve had emergents in the college classes that I’ve taught and they’ve been influenced by my teaching?
In addition, lighthouse calls McLaren an atonement denier. Technically that is not true. He holds to the “moral-example” belief of the atonement, which, held by itself is outside of the realm of orthodoxy, but again…..sloppy journalism. Of course then lighthouse links Wallis to Shane Claiborne and then dismisses Wallis’ take on Claiborne’s beliefs as rooted in the values of the Christian Faith. I have read everything that Claiborne has written and his influences are primarily rooted in the values of the Christian faith, but that depends on what you mean by “Christian.” He is strongly influenced at those within the Ana-Baptist movement (Mennonites) But where I take major issue with Claiborne happens to be his sacramental view of the poor, which comes from Roman Catholicism/Mother Teresa, St. Francis, and etc…… I guess I am disappointed by a site that is about research which lacks…..Research. Its shoddy journalism is not much better than the tabloid articles from Ken Silva’s Appraising Ministries.
I wish I could attend this event because of the debate that is going on among Christians throughout America about how involved the government should be in addressing poverty…..and its connection to the church. What a great topic to be discussed on the campus of a University that still holds to a Christian Worldview (albeit not so much connected to its GARBC fundamentalist roots). I’ve heard both Wallis and Olasky preach/speak and unfortunately, Wallis is a better communicator, so I doubt it will be a win for Compassionate Conservatism.
Also, just because some emergents are influenced by Jim Wallis doesn’t necessarily make him emergent! Maybe I am not understanding where lighthouse is coming from but if we took that logic when it comes to “guilt by association,” am I considered an “emergent” because I’ve had emergents in the college classes that I’ve taught and they’ve been influenced by my teaching?
In addition, lighthouse calls McLaren an atonement denier. Technically that is not true. He holds to the “moral-example” belief of the atonement, which, held by itself is outside of the realm of orthodoxy, but again…..sloppy journalism. Of course then lighthouse links Wallis to Shane Claiborne and then dismisses Wallis’ take on Claiborne’s beliefs as rooted in the values of the Christian Faith. I have read everything that Claiborne has written and his influences are primarily rooted in the values of the Christian faith, but that depends on what you mean by “Christian.” He is strongly influenced at those within the Ana-Baptist movement (Mennonites) But where I take major issue with Claiborne happens to be his sacramental view of the poor, which comes from Roman Catholicism/Mother Teresa, St. Francis, and etc…… I guess I am disappointed by a site that is about research which lacks…..Research. Its shoddy journalism is not much better than the tabloid articles from Ken Silva’s Appraising Ministries.
I wish I could attend this event because of the debate that is going on among Christians throughout America about how involved the government should be in addressing poverty…..and its connection to the church. What a great topic to be discussed on the campus of a University that still holds to a Christian Worldview (albeit not so much connected to its GARBC fundamentalist roots). I’ve heard both Wallis and Olasky preach/speak and unfortunately, Wallis is a better communicator, so I doubt it will be a win for Compassionate Conservatism.
Discussion