The Gospel Coalition: Can God Save a Fundamentalist School?

From Bruno’s church site:

http://www.harborhawaii.org/faq/

What do you mean that you’re “theologically conservative but also socially progressive?” Like a bunch of Bible-school graduates with tattoos?
Well, sort of. What it means is that we have an unshakeable commitment to the supremacy of God, the inerrancy of his Word, and the exclusive salvation he offers through his Son, but we don’t come with the baggage that often accompanies those beliefs: legalism, judgmentalism, and isolationism. We believe there are many secondary issues (like drinking alcohol, consuming popular media, and yeah, getting tattoos) which should be left to individual conscience and not dictated by written or unwritten church standards.

[Jim]

From Bruno’s church site:

http://www.harborhawaii.org/faq/

What do you mean that you’re “theologically conservative but also socially progressive?” Like a bunch of Bible-school graduates with tattoos?
Well, sort of. What it means is that we have an unshakeable commitment to the supremacy of God, the inerrancy of his Word, and the exclusive salvation he offers through his Son, but we don’t come with the baggage that often accompanies those beliefs: legalism, judgmentalism, and isolationism. We believe there are many secondary issues (like drinking alcohol, consuming popular media, and yeah, getting tattoos) which should be left to individual conscience and not dictated by written or unwritten church standards.

I like that too, Jim.

I can understand Chris Bruno’s happiness over what is going on at Northland. It is becoming what he already is, apparently. And who could not understand his pleasure over that. The message also gets clearer all the time: fundamentalist institutions are not Gospel centered. If they desire to become Gospel centered, they will eventually cease to be fundamentalist.

[Marsilius]…. fundamentalist institutions are not Gospel centered. If they desire to become Gospel centered, they will eventually cease to be fundamentalist.

Speechless!!

…this thread is about to get very entertaining.

My problem with the piece—and one I voiced over at TGC—is the presumption that fundamentalism is somehow NOT about the gospel while evangelicalism is. (The title alone reeked of judgment.) I’ll be one of the first to admit that I don’t hold to many of the applications that I grew up with in fundamentalism, but that is a different conversation entirely. Ironically, what young former fundamentalists seem to misunderstand is that the gospel is larger than ANY subculture. Simply moving from one group to another does not mean that you’ve become “gospel-centered.” Even evangelicals have their shibboleths. Want to see legalism? Try being Arminian at TGC.

All that to say, I appreciate the gospel-pulse of Northland as much as I appreciate it anywhere—even among those more conservative than I am. But I will also object to legalism where ever I find it as well—even in those who are more progressive than I am.

While I know that any ministry is more than about money, Northland will likely need an infusion of capital to make it.

Info is public from Federal 990s available on Guidestar.org

Let me echo what several others have said but in more succint terms: This article is seriously flawed.

The title and much of the content reeks of judgement and arrogance.

It flippantly dismisses an entire group as backward idiots.

It suggests the method of scripture interpreted by the old Northland as wrong or out of focus, but now it is doing it “correctly.” So, all of the previous graduates where taught incorrect scripture? All of the same graduates that became pastors and missionaries around the world were taught wrong?

It states that rules and regulations were once at the center of Northland which is patently misleading - as others have stated. In what way was NIU over the line with its focus on externals?

The author suggests it was bad for Northland to practice separation, but then states he was going to separate himself from NIU.

Question: Why would the previous constituency want to continue supporting Northland if this is the new kind of attitude towards them? If this is the attitude directed towards them and is coming out of the new “gospel centered” philosophy, why should they care about NIU anymore?

To summarize, the mood from this article suggests the attitude that those in the new way get it right. Those supporting the old way, including Dr. Ollila, they got it wrong and is now the reason for NIU’s troubles. It isn’t the recent radical, I mean “Gospel Centered” changes that are the problem, it is the old traditionalists that are the problem.

Appreciated the article and hope NIU doesn’t walk back the recent changes.

How many of you would like to see a president selected from the MacArthur orbit?

For those who agree with the changes at NIU, who would make a good president?

I don’t affirm all the recent decisions and direction, but what about someone from Calvary Lansdale? I’m not exactly sure how they’ve done with enrollment and such, lately, but it seems to me that positionally, they would be a similar fit to where Northland is aiming, and might have the best chance at maintaining a connection to at least an element of the existing constituency (Tim Jordan seems like a personality many who don’t agree with all of his recent applications still like and respect). Someone from Colonial/Shepherd’s in NC (Bookman, Pettegrew, Burggraff, Davey…) might be another place to look and recruit for the same reasons as Lansdale.

Does anybody know the number of students at NIU?

I’d second Greg’s post. Someone from Calvary Bap. Seminary or maybe the Seminary in Virginia Beach would be good. Burggraff would be excellent as well.

Merge with The Master’s College and Seminary. Become the Northern campus.

Why?

• Basically represents the position of Northland (and this is not a criticism)
• The Master’s College and Seminary is solid and has strong enrollment
• Share administration, faculty, etc …

[mmartin]

Does anybody know the number of students at NIU?

Full time undergrad degree seeking students – Fall enrollment

2011 427

2010 499

2009 480

2008 479

As reported to the federal government and available at the IPEDS (part of the National Center for Education Statistics) webpage.