A Tale of Two Colleges
This week brings fascinating news from two colleges. The two institutions are facing almost opposite situations, and the contrast between them is both remarkable and illustrative. Because change occurs constantly, Christian organizations are constantly required to apply their principles to new situations. Cedarville University and Faith Baptist Bible College provide a clear contrast in terms of how new applications might take place.
The school that is now Cedarville University started out as a Bible institute in Cleveland. During the early 1950s it acquired the name and campus of Cedarville College, formerly a Presbyterian school. For many years, Cedarville College staked out its identity as a fundamentalist, Baptist institution. Under the leadership of James T. Jeremiah, it was one of the flagship schools identified with the Regular Baptist movement.
In 1978, Paul Dixon became president of the college. He brought with him a vision to make Cedarville into a world-class university. Regular Baptists, however, had neither the numerical nor the economic strength to fulfill his dream. Dixon needed a larger constituency and broader appeal, and in pursuit of these goals he began to downplay some of the distinctives that Regular Baptists thought important. There was a softening of ecclesiastical separation as the platform featured a broader variety of evangelicals. There was an increasing openness and even friendliness toward the more current trends in popular culture. There was even a shifting of the criteria for faculty selection. By the early 1990s, Cedarville professors were putting themselves publicly on record for their (belated) support of the Equal Rights Amendment—legislation that was almost universally opposed by conservative Christians of all sorts.
As Cedarville broadened its appeal, it experienced growing tensions with Regular Baptists. These tensions came to a head when, at the end of Dixon’s tenure, Cedarville formally identified with the Southern Baptist state convention in Ohio. Under the new president, William Brown, the university refused to endorse the Statement of Purpose of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, a requirement for partnering institutions. For both these reasons, the GARBC terminated its partnership with Cedarville in 2006.
The divorce was ugly, at least on the Cedarville side. Since the GARBC national conference was held in Michigan that year, Cedarville supporters were transported by busloads to try to overwhelm the vote. At one point some threatened to rush the platform if a particular parliamentary ruling did not go their way. In the end, however, the association had the votes to remove Cedarville from partnership.
Shortly thereafter, scandal erupted on campus as a couple of the most conservative tenured professors were terminated suddenly. Alarmed constituents formed watchdog groups and began to spread word of theological aberrations. Most Cedarville constituents found these charges difficult to believe, but the university continued to show signs of movement away from its fundamentalist roots. In an attempt to reassure conservatives, in 2011 the university adopted white papers dealing with creation, with justification, and with divine omniscience.
The situation, however, continued to deteriorate. In 2012, a professor was fired for teaching that the opening chapters of Genesis were non-historical. Then two philosophy professors published that they could not vote Republican since they supported universal health care, decreased defense spending, increased spending on social programs, and economic redistribution. Consequently, the question was no longer whether Cedarville should be considered a fundamentalist institution, but whether it should even be considered a conservative one.
In response, the board placed the philosophy major under review and indicated its intention to end the program. In October, President Brown tendered his resignation, followed by a key vice president in January 2013—many believed under pressure from the board. In response to concerns that Cedarville might be moving in a fundamentalist direction, board chairman Lorne Sharnberg was quoted as saying that Cedarville “isn’t moving anywhere. We’re staying right where we’ve always been.” Ironically, these are the very words that the Cedarville leadership used to say when it was moving away from fundamentalism.
While these events have been taking place at Cedarville, Faith Baptist Bible College has been facing a difficult decision of its own. The school long ago staked out a position that was traditionally dispensationalist, strongly Baptist, and conservative in its appropriation of contemporary popular culture. It has required its students to become members in churches that share these commitments.
Through the years, one of the congregations that allied itself with Faith was Saylorville Baptist Church. Dozens of students and several staff are members at Saylorville, and in many ways (for example, its commitment to evangelism) Saylorville models values that Faith shares. Over the years, however, Saylorville has adopted an increasingly contemporary ministry, and it has recently dropped the word Baptist from its name. As Saylorville has made these moves, Faith has felt considerable pressure to soften its commitment to its principles and to broaden its appeal.
Decades ago, one of the presidents of Faith Baptist Bible College (David Nettleton) argued that when Christians disagree, they must either limit their message or limit their fellowship. This past week, Faith’s board made the decision to stand by its message and allow its fellowship to shrink. Students and staff will no longer be permitted to join Saylorville Church.
This may represent the hardest decision that the administration and board at Faith has ever made. They are not angry with Saylorville. They love its pastor and its staff, and they believe that Saylorville is in some ways a good model. They are not denouncing the church, but they are separating from it at one level. They are making this move because, if they do not, their principles will be obscured. They are aware that the decision will be costly.
Cedarville and Faith represent opposite approaches to the application of principles in changing situations. Cedarville committed itself to wider influence and was willing to sacrifice principles in order to obtain it. Faith has committed itself to maintain its principles, and it is willing to accept narrower influence in order to uphold them. Both have responded to change, but they have responded in opposite directions.
Granted, sometimes Christians hold mistaken principles that they ought to revise. Simply to abandon principles in favor of increased influence, however, is a devil’s bargain. Once principles have been obscured, they become very difficult to clarify. Both Faith and Cedarville will face some unhappy constituents. Cedarville’s will be unhappy because their school’s position is not clear. Faith’s will be unhappy because their school’s is. The difference is this: no one is attracted to obscurity and uncertainty, but some may be attracted to a clearly stated position when it is consistently maintained.
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
Martin Luther (1483-1546), translated by Richard Massie (1800-1887)
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands,
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand he stands
And brings us life from heaven;
Therefore let us joyful be
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of hallelujah. Hallelujah!
It was a strange and dreadful strife
When life and death contended;
The victory remained with life,
The reign of death was ended;
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That death is swallowed up by death,
His sting is lost for ever. Hallelujah!
Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree—
So strong his love!—to save us.
See, his blood doth mark our door;
Faith points to it, death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us. Hallelujah!
So let us keep the festival
Whereto the Lord invites us;
Christ is himself the Joy of all,
The Sun that warms and lights us.
By his grace he doth impart
Eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin is ended. Hallelujah!
Then let us feast this joyful day
On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
The Word of grace hath purged away
The old and evil leaven.
Christ alone our souls will feed,
He is our meat and drink indeed;
Faith lives upon no other. Hallelujah!
Kevin T. Bauder Bio
This essay is by Dr. Kevin T. Bauder, who serves as Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Central Baptist Theological Seminary (Plymouth, MN). Not every professor, student, or alumnus of Central Seminary necessarily agrees with every opinion that it expresses.
- 176 views
I know this thread has gone far and wide but I wanted to briefly add my view. Thanks for tolerating it!
I was saved in November 1971 … guess where? University of Cincinnati (Junior in college).
Kevin said: “students who attend Cedarville can learn to be good chemists. I am not convinced, however, that they will learn to be good Christians”
I neither learned to be a good Christian nor a poor Christian at U.C. I learned finance and economics. It got me a job.
Hellhole? I’m not advocating the state school. Believe it or not some folk are not privileged and do not have either their own financial resources nor the resources of parents to send them to a private school.
I managed to survive both Physics and Biology in the “hellhole” system.
Re Cedarville .. I knew something about it back then because it was just up the road (70 miles) from where I lived. I knew it for an old rock quarry then called Sportsman Lake. We used to scuba dive there.
[Dan Burrell][JVDM]Leisure is the basis of culture. School is leisure. Culture is cult. If you expect your schooling to have absolutely no impact on your soul you are kidding yourself.
[JVDM]Leisure is the basis of culture. School is leisure. Culture is cult. If you expect your schooling to have absolutely no impact on your soul you are kidding yourself.
Everything in life — everything, has the potential to impact your soul. How you decide to interpret all of these influences is dependent on your Worldview. Your Worldview is based on your Philosophy. Your Philosophy is based on your definition of Truth. The battle for the Culture is fought when one is determining what they will accept as Truth. Wait until college to disciple that into your children and you are too late — regardless of whether they attend a fundamentalist school or an Ivy League school or anything in between. Parents have for too long relegated the important disciplines of thinking and discernment to churches and schools. Parents who have failed to properly disciple their own children into Truth should not be surprised when they choose to live and think apart from Scripture regardless of where they are going to school. The Apostles were tearing the world apart at the ages of many, if not most, college students. So I view the idea that it is in college when a young adult should set the form of their thinking as illogical and naive. Granted, my own thinking has matured over the years, but it has never moved from its foundation. The ridiculously inept efforts to re-educate me at the extremist and unstable fundamentalist college where I received my undergrad work was no more successful in changing who I was and what I believed than did the respected secular university where I earned my terminal degree. Personal experience is not a valid basis for forming principle however and it is the wise parent, who knows his child adequately so that they guide them into making a sound post-secondary educational choice. Some kids should never go to a BJU or a PCC, others should never go to a Cedarville or an LU and others still would not survive at Duke or Georgia Tech. Wherever one sends their kids or their kids determine to go, the battle for their soul began many years prior to the matriculation line of their freshman year.
Yes, Yes, Yes…….
A caveat to what I’m about to say - I think there is a difference (which no on had mentioned) between sending you child away to a state college and having them attend a hometown state college while living at home and remaining in their home church.
That said, we are talking about choosing between heterodox and/or pharisaical “fundamentalists” schools, non-Christian religious schools, and humanistic state schools. I fail to see how any of these fit within the Psalm 1:1-3 paradigm.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
What is so depraved about Cedarville that public universities are what? - shining beacons of morality in comparison? Especially considering taxpayer funded events like Sexual Empowerment Week happen in public universities around the country.
Sure- I’ve seen hand-holding and short shorts and Justin Bieber hair on Cedarville’s campus, and while I oppose all three most vehemently, I’m not sure that those are by default indications of ‘depravity’.
Ditto Bro. Burrell- Parents have for too long relegated the important disciplines of thinking and discernment to churches and schools.
By the time a young person reaches college, that horse is not only out of the corral, it’s roaming freely in Nebraska. Schools and colleges are, IMO, best viewed as a means for teaching and training young people to prepare them for their vocational path, and although the classroom/teacher can impact one’s heart and soul, they aren’t given the primary responsibility, per Scripture, for the nurturing of children in spiritual matters- parents are, with the local church assisting to equip them to that task.
http://www.saylorvillechurch.com/files/pdf/PublicResponsetoFaithsDecisi…
[Moderator Note: We posted this response as a Filing]
Greg Linscott
Marshall, MN
Friends, Acquaintance ……. Brethriem even…….
Hey look there’s a lot of energy on this thread. I’ve been guilty of bringing “gusto” to the discussions here and there.
You guys are working through legit points. I want to bring us all to the united and loving side to the SI camp fire if only to partake in the common cup of cyder - if only for 5 minutes before we go back to throwing marsh-mellows at each other again.
So for most institutions that we are talking about they are “para-church.” What does that mean? Well, without being mean-spirited here - they simply do not have the Biblical charter that:
1. government has
2. the home has
3. the local church has
Now, it’s fine that our institutions be as rightly organized Biblically speaking…..but especially when a learning institution is not under the direct accountability of a local church (such as the case with DBTS, Calvary Seminary, IBC and several others) - or a group of churches via a represented board or association for accountability (such was Pills under the MBA) - when you have an institution that is a power unto itself and really not accountable to a local assembly or even a group of local assemblies - or even a group of leaders whose authority is granted by local assemblies. So that being the case, if a family or a young college student chooses one of those institutions - I’m not sure it’s fair to have any expectations other than you will get whatever good you can get from it……but there will be other “elements” you simply can’t agree with.
Again - this is just me. If one of my sons believed it was right for him to pursue a Christian College education, I would hope he would find a school that if not directly tied to a local assembly would allow him to develop a loyalty and dedication to a congregation. My eldest son is studying engineering here at Arizona State University. He and about 20 other 20 year olds are reaching out to other college students and are making a major impact in our church. What a thrill not to have shipped all of our sharp 20 year olds out of state to “such n such Christian College.” We are happy when they end up at Northland or Clearwater or wherever out of state. But what a thrill to have these guys staying active in our church while they pursue their education. We would also be looking for an institution that believes in the fundamentals of the faith, teaches students how to think, prepares students with a full academic rigor to face the demands of the modern work force and encourage an active walk with God, Uh frankly there are many schools all over the spectrum that fit this modest description. To suggest that a college student must attend a certain Christian College is to show disrespect to the God-ordained institution of the home and the local church…….in my limited opinion.
I think need to assume the best of individuals who attend a Christian or State College or University - that unless they show a propensity to “not get it” (in which case both their home and church failed to some degree in preparation)…..they ought to be able to spit out the fish bones. Look if they have no ability at 18 or 19 to do that - how in the world are they going to handle the necessity of that when they engage a postmodern, anti-Christ workforce at 22 or 23?
Surely we all agree with this?
Ah - temporary peace here around the lovely SI camp fire!
OK - back to throwing cool-aid at each other. Yes to our evangelical friends - of course we fundamentalists like to do this to each other. We can’t help it - it’s in our DNA - we must be militant about everything. Oh brother - there is no doubt we need some type of group therapy!
Straight Ahead!
jt
Dr. Joel Tetreau serves as Senior Pastor, Southeast Valley Bible Church (sevbc.org); Regional Coordinator for IBL West (iblministry.com), Board Member & friend for several different ministries;
You make far too much sense. You obviously must be silenced, or at the very least accused of compromise somewhere … !
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
Don’t take this too seriously, but here is an extreme example of somebody who revels in their ignorance. It is good for a laugh or two!
My favorite line is this, “I’m not a five-point Calvinist, pentagram, line, triangle, or anything … I’m a zero-point Calvinist!”
This is why some kind of education is necessary!!
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
[TylerR]This is why some kind of education is necessary!!
I think this sermon tops that…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1SmdPC9v5gk
THoward
I am afraid I have defeated you with this hermeneutical treasure http://youtu.be/RNCoevpt5TE
Pastor Steven Anderson offers his interpretation of 1 Kgs 14:10 (KJV version - you’ll find out why). The verse, for him, defines Biblical manhood. Seriously.
This video took awhile to find, and involved a lot of hard work. I went to YouTube, typed “Steven Anderson insane pastor” and it came up.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
[Kevin T. Bauder] All other things being equal, students who attend Cedarville can learn to be good chemists. I am not convinced, however, that they will learn to be good Christians. I would sooner have my child in a Catholic university or a state school than in Cedarville University.
Wow, how this thread has diverged from what it was intended. Interesting discussion about the purpose and practice of higher education, but not really germane to the discussion that was started. Maybe a part of the overall theological/philosophical approach to education, but it doesn’t address the “seperation” discussion Dr. Bauder started.
Dr. Bauder, I do not know you at all, but have you spent any time on campus at Cedarville? The same arguments were being thrown around about Cedarville in the late 80s and early 90s while I was there. While I only spent two years there, Cedarville challenged me to look at the world, my church, my education through the lens of scripture. Much of that challenged the status quo of my upbringing. My future wife and I had the opportunity to minister in a local church, attend sermons by highly regarded speakers, and see Christ being shared on a daily basis. On the other side, I encountered students who would did not live up to what I can imagine would be your definition of a “good” Christian. However, to intimate that Cedarville struggles to produce good Christians seems (on the surface) to be a hyperbole at best.
Having many in my family attend and/or graduated from FBBC (dad, mom, brother, cousins, uncles, aunts), I am very familiar with that school as well. During my high school years I spent many hours there with friends and family. During that time, I saw students have the ability to minister in local churches, attend sermons by highly regarded speakers as well as Christ being shared. I saw “good” Christians as well as “not good” Christians come from FBBC. I have a very good friend who attended both schools. He finished at Cedarville, and is faithful at Saylorville. What kind of Christian was produced in him? Did his time at Faith trump his time at Cedarville, or vice versa?
To bring it back to the action taken, it is disappointing that FBBC would choose this path over a name. At what point will they then separate from the GARBC due to the GARBC allowing churches in their membership without Baptist in their name? Also, why not grandfather those already there? To force those students and faculty to choose between the two, when it was okay until then and there is no doctrinal change seems rather harsh.
I am respond to Susan R.’s comments. We downplay the role of discipleship, personal teaching/training, and spiritual parenting in our current paradigm of college/university.
Much of the American college model is a waste of time, fun and games, social, redundant Bible teaching for academics and unnecessary repeat of academic subjects.
For example in many countries it only takes 4 total years to get a pharmacy degree or medical degree. Here twice the length of time 8 years. Many of these courses are taken twice once in undergrad and once in med or pharm school. It’s a big money making machine for the educational establishment.
Likewise because the level of spiritual obedience and training is so low in most churches, the standards being simply social, business oriented—build more buildings, and programmatic, most believers are ignorant of the Word growing up and need “academic” discipline or rigor or schooling to learn what Bible they do not know so they are attracted to Bible College and or seminary. The churches can fulfill this position Biblically and eliminate any need for departure to another institution. But they won’t because the pastors are either too busy serving tables and widows or two distracted building temples and budgets to focus on the word, prayer, and training servant leaders to train the congregation to do the work of the ministry.
Discipleship is lacking so the educational machines churn on both secularly and spiritually. If a person needs training to enter a secular profession, college/grad school does play a role, but should be seen as a mission field.
Derek Jung
Fundamental Gospel Baptist Church
San Leandro * Oakland * San Rafael
JT
I agree with your post. If more young people were trained and directed to secular campus’ for the purpose of ministry and missions we would see local baptist churches changed and the Gospel better represented in the world via university outreach.
It’s real not monastic.
Derek Jung
Church Planter
San Leandro * Oakland * San Rafael
California
[Susan R]What is so depraved about Cedarville that public universities are what? - shining beacons of morality in comparison? Especially considering taxpayer funded events like Sexual Empowerment Week happen in public universities around the country.
Sure- I’ve seen hand-holding and short shorts and Justin Bieber hair on Cedarville’s campus, and while I oppose all three most vehemently, I’m not sure that those are by default indications of ‘depravity’.
Ditto Bro. Burrell- Parents have for too long relegated the important disciplines of thinking and discernment to churches and schools.
By the time a young person reaches college, that horse is not only out of the corral, it’s roaming freely in Nebraska. Schools and colleges are, IMO, best viewed as a means for teaching and training young people to prepare them for their vocational path, and although the classroom/teacher can impact one’s heart and soul, they aren’t given the primary responsibility, per Scripture, for the nurturing of children in spiritual matters- parents are, with the local church assisting to equip them to that task.
At UC Berkeley 2/14 they had sexual perversion day, essentially promoting pornography under the guise of sexual diversity. Promotion of the queer agenda is top priority for the newspaper and is approved of by the university.
Local church participation and discipleship is crucial in the face of the moral decay at schools.
DJ
Discussion