An Open Letter from Dr. Matt Olson of Northland International University
Dear Friends in Ministry,
Thank you for your demonstration of true friendship over these past few months. So many of you have called, emailed, and written me. Yes, God has been doing great things. Yet, when He does, the pot gets stirred. Conflict often follows.
What God has been doing among us…
I thought it would be helpful for me to share a few thoughts concerning recent events at Northland as well as our process of thought. My prayer each day is that God would give us grace to work through our present opportunities and challenges in ways that fulfill His purposes for us and that please Him most. Never has there been a more exciting day to prepare this next generation for Great Commission living or to advance kingdom causes!
January 2008: I began praying for God to do “greater things” here at Northland. It seemed to me that the church as a whole had grown cold with the works of men and was crying out for the works of God to be manifest. I prayed to that end:
- For God to give us vision and clarity for what He wanted at Northland.
- For wisdom in navigating from where we were to where we needed to be.
- For boldness and grace—as we knew the process would be difficult.
- For abundant provision.
- For His name alone to be magnified.
In many ways God has been answering those prayers and has blessed Northland beyond our expectations. We felt, however, that this was only the beginning.
August 15, 2010: I began a forty day journey of fasting and prayer for the works of God to be manifested and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. I took this step of faith with some uncertainty—not really knowing how I would do or what God would do. I was certain that I was not content to coast through this final stretch of life and ministry without seeing God do something much more. I have been longing for “greater things.” Dr. Ollila, the administration, faculty, and staff joined me in this. I wish I could share all that has taken place. It has been an incredible time!
What I did not expect was the testing that would follow. Yet, now I realize this to be a familiar pattern in scripture and in history. So, we take it from the Lord and respond with strength and grace that He gives. Sometimes our motives and actions can be misunderstood and miscommunicated. I know that happens. I have always felt that the best response would be to communicate in a positive way. The following are a few points of clarification on what is happening at Northland:
1. The Way of Discipleship
We have superseded our demerit system with what we feel is a biblical model of discipleship. In reality, it is a re-commitment to a means of discipleship that has already been present at Northland. We just took away an artificial demerit system that was awkwardly laid on top of our student system of governance. Our standards and expectations remain the same. But, the way we confront and encourage is relational and the consequences practical. Quite honestly, it is a lot more work with this new way. But, it’s more biblical. And it already appears to be yielding better results. We see “The Way of Discipleship” in the spirit of Matthew 5 where Jesus “raised the bar” from the Old Testament law. We believe grace expects more—and deepens more. While we see our system as a “work in progress,” we have been very pleased with the responses of our students, faculty, and staff.
2. Our Music Philosophy
Philosophically, it is unchanged. Let me say it again…unchanged. What we have always been trying to do, and will continue to do into the future, is to make sure Northland’s practice of music (as with every aspect of the Christian life) is built principally on clear teachings from the Bible rather than on reactionary, extra-biblical reasoning that has proven to be troublingly insufficient when exported to cultures beyond American borders. We believe the Bible is sufficient to bring us to right and God-honoring positions regardless of time and culture. Even though we haven’t changed our music at a philosophical level, we are changing our music on a missional level. Where you will see changes is in our intent to expand our training to prepare students for worship and music globally. This only makes sense because, as you may have noticed, Northland International University has become more and more an international, global ministry with a passion to take the gospel where it is not proclaimed. Over 41% of the world’s population is still without a Gospel witness. This has become our students’ burden. Our Director of Fine Arts, Kevin Suiter, has recently informed us he does not believe he can take us forward in this way and thus has announced his plans to move on. We wish Kevin and Grace the best and thank them for the investments they have made here.
3. Our Guest Speakers
We invited two speakers that have generated some questions.
a. Rick Holland. Dr. Holland is the Executive Pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where John MacArthur is senior pastor. Since we get many questions concerning John MacArthur and where he is in regard to fundamentalism, we decided that the best way to address this was to meet him face to face. In April of this year, Les Ollila, Doug McLachlan, Sam Horn, and I went to California and sat down with Dr. MacArthur, Rick Holland, and Phil Johnson (Executive Director of Grace to You). We had an excellent visit and found that while we did not agree on everything, we did agree on the most substantive issues of life and ministry. While we realize we function in different circles and with different constituencies, we appreciated what they were doing. I invited Rick to visit our campus to see what we were doing at Northland, meet with our Bible faculty, and speak in chapel. This was an opportunity to get to know one another and discuss significant issues of our day.
b. Bruce Ware. Dr. Ware is a professor at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville. He is a well-recognized teacher and author. We have invited him to teach half of an advanced-degree seminar on a specialty subject our leading pastors need to be fully versed in. Why? Because Dr. Ware has written so skillfully and authoritatively on this particular topic. This seminar is for experienced, mature pastors who are presently in ministry. We see this as appropriate in the academic context and the type of thing we have done in the past for the very same reasons. In fact, most seminaries bring adjunct professors in to address key issues that they believe helpful. Never has this been intended as a move to align with any other group.
We did not see that having these speakers would be a significant problem. Biblically, we worked through a process of decision making and felt these choices and the context in which they were made were consistent with what we have always believed. Knowing now that these decisions might be confusing, misunderstood, or miscommunicated, we would likely have planned differently. We have no desire to distract from our focus here or on the field of ministry.
We affirm that Northland stands in the historic tradition of Fundamentalism and is committed to remain as an independent, Baptist, separatist institution. We will do our best to serve the local church, which we believe is the primary institution ordained of God to carry out the Great Commission. We respect the autonomy of the local church, the priesthood of the believer, and individual soul liberty. We know that other Fundamentalists will develop different applications based on biblical authority and the principles that flow from it. We will do our best to defer to our brothers in Christ but refuse to be swayed by party politics, threats, and pressures. While deference brings unity, the fear of man paralyzes our ability to serve Christ. In the spirit of Galatians 1, we will serve Christ.
Sometimes I have to smile when I think about the politics in college ministry. Early on I found that I had to just keep it simple: do the right thing, keep a right spirit, communicate the best I can, and leave the results to God. That is all I can do. That’s what I will do. I am not disappointed with differing views and opinions or even challenges that come from healthy critics. These help me grow. What I do think needs to be confronted in our movement is the lack of biblical process in responding to one another when we have questions or disagreements.
We must keep our focus. A friend of mine shared this with me, and I found it to be a great encouragement:
Stick with your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the devil’s rabbits. Do your work. Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let critics malign, let enemies accuse, let the devil do his worst; but see to it nothing hinders you from fulfilling with joy the work God has given you. He has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has never bidden you to defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood about yourself which Satan’s or God’s servants may start to peddle, or to track down every rumor that threatens your reputation. If you do these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord. Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men. But see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.”
If you have further questions or comments, please feel free to write or call me. I welcome that. We have never been more excited about our future than we are now. Doc O and I believe that God is moving in a very special way and that the evidence is seen in both the abundant blessing of God and in the attacks of the Devil. We have the greatest and most exciting opportunity in the world—preparing this next generation of servant leaders for Great Commission living. Pray with us as we move boldly forward for the cause of Christ.
Your friend and fellow servant,
MO
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Dan Burrell also said:
I am convinced that much of the preoccupation with Calvinism is due to the shallow teaching that many (and in some circles and parts of the country, most) have been taught as it relates to the Gospel.Actually the problem today is the preoccupation with Calvinism by some seminary graduates and by some novices who have latched onto Calvinism of the post Dort type which includes Regeneration before faith and limited atonement. In my years of ministry and teaching I have always had good relations and fellowship with many who called themselves Calvinists. Most were Dispensational Calvinists of the Central, Dallas, Talbot, Western CB Seminary type. Most were moderate 4 point Calvinists. A few were 5 point. However their Calvinism, or even a Reformed soteriology, never became an issue. It was not the Capstone of all they believed or taught. However, today a militant Calvinism has emerged. It is an obsession that is promoted at the T4G, the Desiring God conferences, and Shepherds conferences. As I said earlier, it has effected some churches. It has also prospered because some who should be concerned are not sufficiently aware of the issues. I have had men say; Oh MacArthur didn’t say that. Then when I show them what he said in writing they then say; I don’t think he means it that way. The same goes for John Piper. One Calvinist said on here the problem is an absence of theology. Actually the problem is the absence of a Biblically based theology instead of reverting to the Platonic, Augustinian, Reformed theology of Europe which is the pre printing press philosophical theology of the Clergy who had a monopoly on the scriptures. With Bible printing and distribution a more Biblical exegetical theology emerged that again recognized Israel and a literal kingdom.
I found it interesting that Dr. Warren Vanhetloo, who had a THM from Calvin Seminary refused to call himself a Calvinist. He called himself a Biblicist. I am not a Calvinist or Arminian. I am a Bible believer and seek a theology only from the scriptures.
What is clear… and interesting to me: there seems to be two general schools of thought (or maybe three)
1) The changes are not a big deal but the communication style is way off
2) The communication style is not a big deal but the changes (or a subset of them) are ill advised
3? Both the changes and the communication style are bad
That about cover it? Maybe we should close the thread now. :)
I guess I’m sort of in #2 (subset). Though I’m not wild about the communication style, I do believe leaders—as Bob has pointed out—invariably engage in a certain amount of politicking in sense of “reaction/damage control.” And when you sit down to write some communication, you have alot of options in terms of what you emphasize, what you choose to leave unsaid, etc. You’re not going to say everything there is to say (who would read all that?) so you choose what you think will be most helpful and try to word it in a way that you believe will be most helpful.
Needless to say, doesn’t always turn out as expected/hoped.
Actually, just realized #4…
4) Both the changes and the communication style are good
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Anyone who has been around fundamentalism any time at all recognizes the arguments, tactics and methods of people like him and Don Johnson (in this specific thread.) I don’t know Matt Olson personally and have never been on the campus of Northland though I have hired their graduates, known their faculty and been touched by their ministry for decades. So I should not be seen as defending a friend either.
My purpose is writing on this at all is because I know that there are myriad people who frequent this board who, like me, do not want to abandon our fundamentalist heritage or identity. It is to you whom I am writing.
Nothing will cause us to abandon our theology; we simply don’t fit with evangelicalism either. But we also don’t fit in an angry movement that constantly assumes the worst in others and every little decision of change seems to be met with vitriol and hostility. People like Bob and Don and a host of others seem to remind us at every opportunity that “our type” really isn’t welcome here. This is strange because many of “our type” grew up in fundamentalism — indeed a fundamentalism that did and would tolerate variations. I remember hearing Clearwater speak in the same conferences as Hyles and Rice. Saw Falwell with Vick and Roloff. Remember hearing even Southern Baptists preach at Independent Baptist conferences. Then I wake up to reality where the movement has become so politicized, so “camp and institution oriented”, so strident and smug that eating our own and any red-headed cousins is just a matter of “defending the faith.”
When those I referenced in the previous paragraph — not all of them “young fundamentalists” anymore — come upon this sight and see someone like Matt Olson being castigated by the branch of fundamentalism that is being represented by guys like Johnson and Topartzer and quite a few others, they think there is no hope. They imagine what might happen to them and do not want to be put in a position to receive the stinging blasts of those so confident that they are always right. I know this. I talk to them all the time. They write me privately and call me. And as they share their confusion, concerns and questions, they often reference “Sharper Iron.”
I’ve been in a chair like Matt’s for many a year. Both from a pastoral perspective and in a relatively high-profile association perspective. I understand perfectly what it is like to receive the constant barrage of second-guessing and criticism. And as Joel Tetreau pointed out, it is a price of leadership. But that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t frustrate, cause pain and eventually wear one out. I will also confess that eventually, it about ate me up. It just becomes overwhelming. That’s probably a spiritual or character flaw on my part however and I’m sure someone will soon point that out.
But I mean seriously, we’re going to compare Olson to Billy Graham and his ecumenical compromise because he mentioned that he had prayed and fasted? Had Matt not mentioned that he’d prayed and fasted over his decisions, I’m quite confident that someone would have said, “See….there is absolutely no evidence that he prayed and fasted over this change of course.” He simply can’t win for losing. So Kevin Suitor is leaving. I served on the board of another college where Kevin did the same thing during my tenure. Kevin’s a fine guy, but he has a narrow perspective. But his leaving does not mean that what Olson did was wrong. Does every time a church member leaves call into question the leadership of the Pastor? (And the answer to that is “yes” in the minds of some, btw.)
I’m at a unique position in my life. (I’m not going to trade resumes and backgrounds like Bob did. Bob….you win. Your spiritual resume and background is far more unique and substantive than mine. And while you deny having “fundamentalist roots”, you are most definitely grafted into a tree that has them and that’s OK. I grew up on that tree and am probably one of the biggest nuts it ever produced.) At this time, I am unencumbered in a way that I have not known in 25 years of ministry. I represent no one but me. I’m don’t represent a church or an association and the schools for which I work have an aura of academic freedom that does not require me to walk in lockstep with them — how refreshing. So, when I saw Matt Olson being pilloried by innuendo and second-guessed by the familiar faction of fundamentalism, I decided to speak up.
Not because I think for one second that I will change any minds. I gave up on that a long time ago. But because I want Matt to know that though he will hear from far more critics than supporters in all likelihood, some of us understand and are happy to see him thoughtfully reassessing things. And even though he might receive more positive feedback, human nature is to focus on the verbal wounds, not the shoulder pats. And to those who are tempted to read caustic and critical rhetoric on sites like this and want to walk away even though you don’t know where you might fit, — don’t. You won’t be happy in the Evangelicals or Southern Baptists or other places either. If you are ever in a position when the guns are turned on you, you will survive and you will learn things. You are needed. And sometimes you’ll be reminded that the traditionalists are right and the progressives are wrong and make sure you learn those lessons as well. In fact, they are probably more right on the core issues than many in the evangelical, emergent, world is. But we need fresh eyes, a renewed commitment to the Gospel and most of all — those who will not waiver on the fundamentals.
I wish I could write like Joel Tetreau. He’s always so stinking….dare I say it….”nice”. I’m more pointed. Joel is smarter and more spiritual than me. I’m sure Bob and Don and those folks are convinced of their rightness and they are probably quite nice people. I’ve invited some of them to dinner before, but they almost always decline. I think that’s sad. I bet I might have learned something from them. But rest assured, you are not alone. You belong in fundamentalism. Please don’t leave.
Dan Burrell Cornelius, NC Visit my Blog "Whirled Views" @ www.danburrell.com
I
think the bottom line here is that you made a post that is nothing but a personal attack on another poster. The attack was compounded by the fact of its total ignorance of the one you were attacking. It is further compounded by the fact that I have never mentioned your name or posted about you in any post of mine.Of course, I have now mentioned you in my answering your attack on me.
Now you have broadened your attack to a whole “branch of Fundamentalism” that I and some others allegedly belong to because of what we have said regarding this issue at NIU. IMHO your last posts appear inappropriate and speak more of you than those you are attacking.
You state you have roots in Fundamentalism. If you were brought up by a Christian family that attended Fundamentalist churches that is a great privilege and heritage. I am sorry you felt you needed to make posts on this subject as you have. I am sure you most likely have had a good ministry through the years and still do.
[Aaron Blumer] I’m not clear on what Calvinism has to do with any of this.Somebody brought it up, “as per usual” as my kids say.
[Aaron Blumer] What is clear… and interesting to me: there seems to be two general schools of thought (or maybe three)I lean to number 3, because I think it is petty politicking to try to play to the crowd you are offending by telling them nothing has changed.
1) The changes are not a big deal but the communication style is way off
2) The communication style is not a big deal but the changes (or a subset of them) are ill advised
3? Both the changes and the communication style are bad…
Actually, just realized #4…
4) Both the changes and the communication style are good
But of course, I do see these changes as significant and wrong for a number of reasons, many of which have already been brought up in this thread.
I think that fundamentalists generally agree that there are good and sufficient reasons for withdrawing from, withholding fellowship, refusing to cooperate with men who are in fact born again believers.
There is an attempt by some to define fundamentalism as simply people who believe the fundamentals, but history has demonstrated that isn’t what fundamentalism was about. If it were, the neo-evangelicals would have had no one to withdraw from in the 1950s and 1960s.
Lately, there is an attempt to define it as people who believe the fundamentals and separate from apostates only (something the neos wouldn’t do). But this really isn’t adequate either, or else we wouldn’t be having this discussion at all today.
I think it is significant for an institution that once withdrew from working with Rick Holland to now reverse course and work with Rick Holland. All have to admit that is an about face. To argue, therefore, that this new stance is not a change is simply ludicrous. You look foolish doing so.
And more to the point, what we should be asking of Matt Olson is what is different between the withdrawal from the earlier meeting with Rick Holland and the present cooperation with Rick Holland. What has changed? Was the earlier withdrawal right or wrong? What do these new approaches (with music, chapel platform, adjunct faculty) mean for the relationship with broader fundamentalism?
This letter makes it look like Matt is somehow wanting to retain his relationships with fundamentalist churches (a source of students) while going forward with changes that up till now have not been acceptable to those fundamentalist churches.
We need a much better statement than this if Matt hopes that fundamentalist pastors are going to continue to send students to Northland.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Inviting Bruce Ware to teach in the NIU grad school seems like it was a purely academic move, and one I wholeheartedly commend.
Inviting Rick Holland to NIU chapel will not be the downfall of fundamentalism, nor will it be its cure-all.
If I only read the thread and not the original letter, I would suspect that MacArthur himself was coming to teach for a week on justification and sanctification. Where’s the beef, guys?
There are men teaching all throughout fundamentalist schools with advanced degrees from Master’s. Does not this have much more affect on things long-term than the impact of one chapel message? Let’s get real here.
Also, to the critics of these moves, I only hope you will keep the same watchful eye on the chapel of your alma mater the next time they bring in a “fundamentalist evangelist” who is known for his illustrations, use of crowd control, mishandling of Scripture, cowboy rope tricks, etc., etc. (Don’t get me started on the Olympic high-jumping songleader, the guy who said it is wrong to read commentaries, the guy who said God actually forgets our sins… … … …)
Finally, could we please cut the drama? Some of us actually don’t care who is offended, who is going to call the president, etc. Also, the next time you are tempted to leave a 5,000-word post, remember that most of us are not going to read it.
There — I feel so much better ;)
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
Don, you have concerns. You have lots of questions. Go hash it out with Matt.
(As far as separation from persistently sinning and unrepentant professing believers, I am in a several weeks series on Sunday mornings with my church family in I Corinthians 5. We are hashing things out.)
grace and peace,
Todd
Lately, there is an attempt to define it as people who believe the fundamentals and separate from apostates only (something the neos wouldn’t do). But this really isn’t adequate either, or else we wouldn’t be having this discussion at all today.The original fundamentalists did exactly what you are moaning against. They reluctantly but finally did retreat, or separate. Those of us who decide to read history have seen that as well. We will not simply shut off our minds and let the made men inform us. It was the neofundamentalists who first redefined fundamentalism. That disaster hopefully is coming to an end.
I think it is significant for an institution that once withdrew from working with Rick Holland to now reverse course and work with Rick Holland. All have to admit that is an about face. To argue, therefore, that this new stance is not a change is simply ludicrous. You look foolish doing so.
As for the “about face”, I don’t mind if a person changes their mind, as long as it is a principled decision based upon God’s word. Northland has decided to publicly associate with those who are clear about the gospel. You conditional salvation types will not convince us the course is wrong when you are so easily confused about the nature of saving faith.
The chicago way is dying.
1 Kings 8:60 - so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.
1 Kings 8:60 - so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.
we are changing our music on a missional level. Where you will see changes is in our intent to expand our training to prepare students for worship and music globallyI’ll let others better qualified speak and write to other points in the OP.
Leaving aside the questions of rock and contemporary Christian music, I ran into the situation 12 years ago. Because, normally Russian music is written in a minor key and Russians will sing at a slower tempo than Americans. These two musical qualities troubled some American missionaries. These folks weren’t familiar with Russian culture before they went over.
Hoping to shed more light than heat..
[Rob Fall]This is what I was wondering. Is this the kind of thing he is talking about? Also, Asian musical scales—Don’t they have a completely different scale?we are changing our music on a missional level. Where you will see changes is in our intent to expand our training to prepare students for worship and music globallyI’ll let others better qualified speak and write to other points in the OP.
Leaving aside the questions of rock and contemporary Christian music, I ran into the situation 12 years ago. Because, normally Russian music is written in a minor key and Russians will sing at a slower tempo than Americans. These two musical qualities troubled some American missionaries. These folks weren’t familiar with Russian culture before they went over.
Russians LOVE the minor key. :) And they love poetry done as specials during the service—at least that was my experience when I was around a lot of Russians a few years back.
[James K]What is the Chicago way? To which group are you alluding?
The chicago way is dying.
See this link on posts 46 and 85 here:
http://www.sharperiron.org/article/few-answers-to-sharperiron-critics
Also read Dan Burrell’s posts on this thread to see another person point out the mentality.
1 Kings 8:60 - so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.
[James K] The chicago way refers to the mentality and tactics of those who treat fundamentalism like a mafia structure with family heads, advisors, made men, and a goonsquad. I have explained it a few times on SI.Thanks for explaining again.
I don’t read every post on every thread, so I guess I missed it, though I’ve read pretty much all of this one except the really long posts…
Discussion