"Matt Ols[o]n would do well to eject, but it may cost him his school"

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Below is my analysis of what Mike Harding wrote. His comments are in red. Mine are in blue. My analysis is in black.

Mike Harding: I just read today a recent email by a very pro-Northland insider who is directly related to the founders

Don Sailer: This movement out of the fringe and back into historic, fundamentalist Christianity is a breath of fresh air. I know, because as the grandson of the founder of Northland, I took this step in the early 80s. Sure, Northland’s leadership at the time called me names, such as “new evangelical.” But I knew that I was actually walking down the path of historic fundamentalism. More importantly, I knew I was obeying God and no longer calling “unclean” what God had called “clean.”

Analysis: I stated that I was the grandson of the founder of Northland. Mike interprets this to mean that I am a “very pro-Northland insider who is directly related to the founders.” Where did I say anything like this in my article? What I actually wrote indicates that I have been renounced and rejected by Northland since the early 80s. I even stated that I was called a “new evangelical.” But Mike reads my comments to mean that I am an insider at Northland. That is not the case.

Mike Harding: and he made it very clear that the main leaders today want to take the school in a different direction (including the acceptance of the Baptist General Conference and the Billy Graham Association).

Don Sailer: Matt Olson is following many of Northland’s alumni into historic fundamentalism. That’s right, into historic fundamentalism. Today’s modern “fundamentalism” is a mere shell of what thriving, healthy fundamentalism looked like in the early 1900s. Then, men and women from many denominations banded together around the fundamentals of the faith. Denominational distinctives, though important in each denomination, were not barriers to fellowship and unity. This is the direction Matt Olson is going. Northland is removing the unbiblical “separation” barriers that it had erected between itself and other Bible-believing denominations such as the Baptist General Conference, Conservative Baptist Convention, Evangelical Free Church of America, etc.

But I knew that I was actually walking down the path of historic fundamentalism. More importantly, I knew I was obeying God and no longer calling “unclean” what God had called “clean.” It wasn’t that hard of a step because the Patz family was never in the camp that Harold Patz led Northland into. BJU style fundamentalism was not our history as a family! And separating from Billy Graham was unheard of.

Analysis: I gave an analysis of my understanding of historic fundamentalism of the early 1900s. I have observed that Matt Olson is recruiting students at a concert held at a BGC church in Oshkosh. I stated that the Patz family was not part of BJU style fundamentalism. I stated that Billy Graham was not an issue. Separating from him would have been unheard of. The founder sent his own children, two daughters, to Northwestern in the 50s. I know, because that’s where my mom met my dad! What I made clear is that Olson indeed seems to want to catch up with Northland’s alumni. He knows that many of the alumni are serving in the BGC, CBC, EFCA, and other denominations. He also knows that they are using contemporary music in their services. I don’t know this because I have spoken with Matt Olson or any of the other leaders at Northland. I have never spoken to Matt! Why? Because I’m not an insider! Mike Harding reads my comments and assumes that I have direct knowledge of what Olson and the leaders at Northland are doing. But that is not what I wrote.

Mike Harding: Nevertheless, He lamented the fact that Northland had been too separated in the past under the previous administration and that now it was going the direction that the founders originally wanted.

Don Sailer: So things are changing now, but for the good. Northland is returning to the Patz family roots. Harold Patz has watched his children and their spouses live devout lives for Christ in the denominations mentioned above. And Harold Patz, Les Ollila, and Matt Olson have seen the light. When your own kids are serving Christ faithfully in denominations once renounced, it creates dissonance. Thankfully, God has used this dissonance to wake up the leadership at Northland. Now, perhaps, Northland can become the school that God intended it to be. One that is in line with the founder and his family. One that reflects the glory of God and the unity of the saints. May God be praised.

Analysis: Yes, I believe that Northland is starting to reflect the Patz family roots with regard to where the Patz family has always been in relation to fellowship and unity with God’s people across denominational lines. My mom attended Northwestern in the 50s. The founder’s children have sent their kids to the following colleges: Liberty, Grace, TEDS, Cedarville, Wheaton, Bethel, Northwestern, John Brown, Word of Life, Moody, etc. Sending their children to these schools should put to rest the idea that the Patz family was hyper-fundamentalists. The Patz family stands in the stream of historic fundamentalists known as conservative evangelicalism, or what we simply called “Bible-believing.”

Mike Harding: The author of the email had nothing but disdain for “BJU fundamentalism” and decried its influence upon Northland over the last several decades.

Don Sailer: BJU style fundamentalism was not our history as a family!

Analysis: Nothing but disdain for BJU style fundamentalism? I merely stated that the history of the Patz family was not in BJU style fundamentalism. How does Mike get “disdain” out of that?

Mike Harding: This man who is related to the founder and well-connected to the leaders is elated over the new direction of Northland.

Don Sailer: So things are changing now, but for the good. Northland is returning to the Patz family roots. Harold Patz has watched his children and their spouses live devout lives for Christ in the denominations mentioned above. And Harold Patz, Les Ollila, and Matt Olson have seen the light. When your own kids are serving Christ faithfully in denominations once renounced, it creates dissonance. Thankfully, God has used this dissonance to wake up the leadership at Northland. Now, perhaps, Northland can become the school that God intended it to be. One that is in line with the founder and his family. One that reflects the glory of God and the unity of the saints. May God be praised.

Analysis: I am elated over the new direction of Northland if Matt Olson is actually seeking to enter mainstream historic fundamentalism. But once again, Mike Harding incorrectly assumes that I am “well-connected to the leaders” of Northland.

Conclusion:

How can we have honest and accurate discussions over the direction of Northland if comments made by a “grandson” of the founder can be so misinterpreted? Read what I actually wrote and not the spin that Mike Harding put on it. He seems to think that he has “insider” news from a well-connected source that he didn’t stop long enough to see if he really understood what I wrote. But his story is certainly a lot more effective if he can write about a “well-connected insider” instead of a grandson who was rejected long ago by Northland’s leaders. As one who was rejected for obeying God’s Word with regard to biblical fellowship and unity, I am hopeful that Northland has seen the light. I hope that they do get it. I hope that they do get what matters most. If this is Matt’s intention for Northland, then I am all for it. If Northland is now seeking to reconnect with its alumni who are serving God faithfully wherever he has called them as Daniel Patz has stated on a recent vidcast, then I am all for it. I am looking forward to a visit from Matt Olson. I hope that he will call on me when he is in my area.

To the glory and praise of God.

Blessings,

Don Sailer

So what I see above is that Matt was recruiting students from OshKosh Community Church on February 2nd in OshKosh. Is this true? In my opinion this is a lot different than what has been portrayed, which is Matt went to a Big Daddy Weave concert to recruit students. While I still think that Big Daddy Weave concert is questionable, I don’t think what Matt has done is quite in the same vane as what was originally portrayed, but maybe that is more for shock affect. I don’t know.

Any uproar about merely recruiting at a Big Daddy Weave concert (which apparently was at a church) is laughable. And that has nothing to do with whether BDW or CCM in general is “right” and opponents are wrong. It’s laughable because almost certainly most of NIU’s current students (and MBBC’s, and BJU’s, etc.) are already fans of/listeners to Big Daddy Weave and other CCM artists (and, IMHO, that’s not a bad thing). That was already becoming true in the early ‘80’s when I was at BJU, and I’m certain the trend has continued over the last 30 years.

That Olson’s detractors don’t know this about NIU’s current student body merely indicates that they are out of touch with reality when it comes to college age Christian kids.

It sounds like Matt and students went to Oshkosh Community Church where a concert was being held. It sounds like Northland had a booth there and that Matt was recruiting students and promoting Northland. It sounds like Matt is interacting with today’s Christian youth. It sounds like some people connected to Northland have a business that also promoted this concert. It sounds like Northland is beginning to fellowship with a broader segment of Christianity.

Back in the 1980s, everyone at that concert would have been labeled a new evangelical or worse. Back in the day, Northland wouldn’t send music groups to churches started by the BGC. This was strange because my uncle was an elder at a BGC church while serving on the board at Northland. So an elder from a BGC church could serve on the board of Northland at the same time Northland refused to send a music group to the BGC church plant that I started. The same church that my family including Paul Patz supported.

So if Northland is starting to fellowship with the BGC and other Bible-believing churches, I’m all for it. It is about time that the family that started and funded Northland be shown respect, love and support.

Who could be against that?

Come to think of it. When I was a student at Northland in the fall of 1980, it was the other students who introduced me to secular music. I remember my roommates and friends receiving records. Let’s see, one was by Ann Murray? Spelling?

[dgszweda]

So what I see above is that Matt was recruiting students from OshKosh Community Church on February 2nd in OshKosh. Is this true? In my opinion this is a lot different than what has been portrayed, which is Matt went to a Big Daddy Weave concert to recruit students. While I still think that Big Daddy Weave concert is questionable, I don’t think what Matt has done is quite in the same vane as what was originally portrayed, but maybe that is more for shock affect. I don’t know.

David, that was the venue where the concert in question was held.

Most know that I think Northland and Matt are headed in the wrong direction. I don’t need to go into all of that over again, I don’t think.

However, with respect to this part of the controversy, there are a few lingering questions. After the concert several students posted pictures of the event on Facebook with themselves posing with the ‘musicians’ and Matt appearing on the platform among others. Of course, links began to be shared around by some folks (they always are) and soon the news was spreading. A certain blogger wanted to post the pictures on his attack blog… he wisely asked for permission… and POOF the pictures disappeared.

One wonders, Why?

Also, one wonders, if there is nothing wrong with this recruitment effort, why did it appear that orders were given to students to remove the offending pictures?

Is there an attempt to cover up?

Don,

There is a lot of speculation here. In general I like the direction that NIU is going, and while it is shocking for many, it appears that this was already where many Northland Alumni already are at. I am not sure if this church in Osh Kosh is pastured by a Northland alumn. I thought I read somewhere where it was, but I don’t want to assume. I am also curious the percentage of alum from other fundamentalist institutions that are already there as well. What happened to the pictures, I don’t know, but am curious. I know the other blog you mentioned is not necessarily the bastion of fair reporting, but not sure how big of a coverup it is, if it was so public. Recruiting at this church and participating in some of the concert activities, should be explained by the university as this obviously is a bigger departure from where they have been. The problem is that the only “proof” of what happened is still just from this one blog that claims everything was taken down, with their own slant on it.

I saw the pictures, David. I saw that they were taken down. I know when they were taken down, and I know the rest of the time-line as well. I am not speculating.

I think Matt/NIU have every right to do what they want, but others have the right to disagree as well. I just wish they wouldn’t play games and pretend like things never happened when they clearly did.

BTW, Greg mentioned above:

Having Olson’s son (who is a staffer with Campus Crusade) speak in chapel

I don’t recall it being chapel, I thought it was a missions class, but regardless, reference to that event was scrubbed from the NIU website as well.

So this ‘concert’ was at a church, huh? Well, that makes things a little different now, because Lou was making it sound like it was held at the local stadium when the Passion tour stopped in town. I personally wouldn’t ever attend a concert at a church, but you have to admit that that little bit of withheld information alters the story.

Don Sailer - thanks for posting in the thread. A little more light from Northland - or people associated with it - is very welcome considering all the anti-NIU misinformation that’s being spread.

Seems to me that Dunning misapprehends Martuneac’s carping. According to Dunning: “The major problem that these other Fundamental guys like Lou Martuneac are all upset about is that Northland has not officially made any kind of official statements on a change in direction, but the president is acting in a way that goes against the very written philosophy of ministry the college has historically held to.”

But it’s clear from Martuneac’s (incessant) blogging that the absence of an “official statement” is not what has him upset. Instead, Martuneac is determined to be upset about anything and everything, picking nits in every statement Olson makes. Exhibit A is the 3/29/13 blog entry that apparently triggered Dunning’s post. It’s utter nonsense. It’s also largely, if not entirely, pot-stirring. Someone in Martuneac’s circle with more sense and/or maturity (is there anyone?) should do the right thing and tell him to knock it off.

And Don Johnson, you’re sounding kooky. A cover-up? Of students’ Facebook photos? (And exactly how did you have access to or knowledge of those specific students’ Facebook pages?) C’mon, man. Get real. As I understand it, no one at NIU is denying NIU’s booth or Olson’s attendance at the concert; no one is “pretend[ing] like things never happened.” The only ones “playing games” are the critics.

And this is why fundamentalism is what it is. Just look at the political nonsense pushed by the FBF posters on here. Do they do anything that isn’t political? Don Sailers, when you are dealing with certain people on here, just know that it isn’t about truth. It is about political posturing. Victories are when one of the five families has an edge over the others. The Taylors, South Carolina family is loud and intrusive, but they tend to just raise their voice a lot.

[Jay]

So this ‘concert’ was at a church, huh? Well, that makes things a little different now, because Lou was making it sound like it was held at the local stadium when the Passion tour stopped in town. I personally wouldn’t ever attend a concert at a church, but you have to admit that that little bit of withheld information alters the story.

Don Sailer - thanks for posting in the thread. A little more light from Northland - or people associated with it - is very welcome considering all the anti-NIU misinformation that’s being spread.

Jay, what exactly did you expect? Who isn’t aware of the crazy coming from that site?

Maybe this is old news to some of you but they did just announce one of their touring teams this summer is a band made up of an electric guitar, bass, drums, and lead singer. It seems that their connection with a specific music style goes beyond recruiting at a concert. http://www.ni.edu/news-events/redeemed-to-worship This surprised me…

I appreciate those who have attempted to make serious comments and who do genuinely care about Fundamentalism. I’m far away and isolated, even in comparison to NIU. What is important to me is that I have young people in my family who are interested in Christian college.

I don’t know Matt Olson, and have had very little contact with the school. What concerns me most is that there is a sense of NIU wanting to “have it both ways” as far as catering to IFB churches as well as evengelical churches. That’s their prerogative, but it just does not seem to be clearly communicated in any sense. The amount of confusion is what concerns most in the IFB orbit, I would guess. It does to me.

[dmyers] But it’s clear from Martuneac’s (incessant) blogging that the absence of an “official statement” is not what has him upset. Instead, Martuneac is determined to be upset about anything and everything, picking nits in every statement Olson makes. Exhibit A is the 3/29/13 blog entry that apparently triggered Dunning’s post. It’s utter nonsense. It’s also largely, if not entirely, pot-stirring. Someone in Martuneac’s circle with more sense and/or maturity (is there anyone?) should do the right thing and tell him to knock it off.

I’ve seen Lou in action for years now as a member of this site (before he quit) and his various blogs. Why anyone takes him seriously is beyond me. His behavior on SharperIron, other forums, and his blog seems to put him clearly in the Titus 3:10-11 category.