Bob Jones University Enters a New Era

I agree with some of the other comments. As for this one by TylerR:

I don’t know anything about any changes at BJU in philosophy or music.

I was thinking about this line from the PJMedia article:

The school has also embraced discipleship over a strict disciplinarian system.

Actually, this is exactly what NIU said when they scrapped the demerit system:

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We have superseded our demerit system with what we feel is a biblical model of discipleship.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.

There are at least two documents discussing ‘change’ at NIU. Here’s the first article, which is what I was originally thinking of from 2010 and I originally received via mail as an alumnus, and here is the second blog post about how Northland hadn’t changed in 2013, which is what I think someone else is referring to:

Many have asked, “Has Northland changed?” That is a fair question, and one that I will gladly answer. Northland has not changed its mission or it’s core values. We are committed to and willing to contend for the fundamentals of the faith—more than ever before. We are growing in our passion for the glory of God, the gospel, the great commission, and the great commandments. We have, however, made a number of changes as we apply these foundational beliefs to our ministry in the 21st century. We have not done this perfectly, but we believe we are headed in a biblical direction that is focused on pursuing God’s pleasure.

It’s also worth noting, again, that the first five (or so) actually, six of the seven bullet points in Dr. Olsen’s blog post are all exactly what BJU is doing/has done.

But, honestly, everyone knew that the big issue with NIU was music. Always was, always will be. Several of our friends in the FBFI even said so. Don’t believe me? Then read all the responses to this comment on SI from way back when.

Actually, don’t bother looking, because nobody from SharperIron commented on Hillsong being used by the students at BJU. But NIU, on the other hand…

I’ll show myself out now. I think I’ve made my point clearly enough.

I recall a teacher I had at BJU who was a student in the 40’s and told us in those days he was allowed to give his date “a little kiss” goodnight.

It seems to me that explaining the why behind rule changes would be difficult. In my years in CE I’ve seen denim go from bad to acceptable. Likewise for facial hair on guys and dyed/tinted hair on ladies. I know grads who were very upset at the elimination of ties for guys and hose for girls. No reason would have satisfied them. And for those people to whom these things are essentials there are still schools that have the standards with which they’re comfortable.

Young adults have asked for Biblical justification for many of those cultural standards for years and either been labeled as rebellious or given inadequate answers. Perhaps people are now saying, as they said about inter-racial dating and accreditation, that there wasn’t one.

So if you’re an older Christian who now questions the reasoning behind changes, you’re just clinging to “outdated cultural standards”, but if you’re a younger Christian who questions standards, then you’re simply seeking “Biblical justification”?

Isn’t some of the current leadership and faculty at BJU from Northland faculty and leadership? Seems more than coincidental.

[Adam Blumer] For some of us, the female dress code at BJU is important (especially since I have two daughters, 13 and 16, and yes, modesty is pretty important to us), so when changes in this regard are taking place, we want to be informed and will be watching what changes next. It’s not so much where things are right now that are a concern to us (though we care about that too) but where changes may take BJU over the next five years. This is especially true since my girls will be considering where to go to college. (If we are a key demographic, BJU, you may want to take notice.) For the sake of full disclosure, I was a staff member at Northland and am fully aware of what upset the apple cart. Not here to argue about that, but change was a key ingredient in what went wrong, so change of this nature immediately puts up my antennae (whether rightly or wrongly). Granted, I could be overreacting because of what happened at Northland. Let’s certainly hope Big Daddy Weave is still not invited to campus. I suppose now I’ll be crucified for being frank about where my family and I are, but that’s where we are. If this isn’t where you are, may God bless you, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Adam,

I have two daughters, ages 14 and 16, and we too care about modesty. My girls would dress modestly regardless of what the rules are but I share your concerns. I don’t understand the movement here and especially the further exceptions made for the female sports teams. The fact of the matter is that if you care about music, modesty, separation, and academic excellence, there really are not very many options out there. If BJU loses its distinctiveness in these areas then what is the point of going there?

I loved what I got at BJU and I’m hoping for the same for our son, who we dropped off at BJU a couple weeks ago for the beginning of his freshman year. We are very excited for him, and as far as I can tell he has had a great start. I’m still happy to send my children there, and I’m praying that will still be the case when it is time for my girls to go to college.

BJU’s main competitors in the market are no longer PCC, Ambassador, Maranatha, etc. They now compete with North Greenville, Liberty, Wheaton, etc. for students. I’m not editorializing, just stating what I see based on what I’ve been told by people on faculty and in the admin - if you desire the BJU from ten years ago (or more) for your children, the school isn’t really looking at you. I’m sure they’ll be happy to take your money, though.

The thing is, unlike whatever happened at Northland, whatever BJU is doing is working. They ain’t reversing course because old school-ish fundamentalists aren’t entirely happy with the direction.

Whether we like it or not (and I do) more and more fundamentalists are becoming “convergents.” There are reasons why the FBFI appears frantic in print. They get it.

Sorry I’ve been very busy and off line for most of Wednesday, John, and did not see your question until this morning. No, I was not referring to your article with my comment. I was referring to the initial responses.

BJU has long attracted criticism on SI and elsewhere for it’s strict rules. Now, with a loosening of the rules, it is attracting criticism for not having rules that are strict enough. Poor BJU, damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.

As one with two degrees from BJU, plus a high school diploma from BJA, I spent a total of 12 years there. I sent three daughters to BJU, and one lives on campus today with her administrator husband and four children. I served for several years on the board of GFA missions, and pastor a church with several BJU grads and almost always have a few students studying at BJU. Count me as one who personally benefited from a BJU education (one might say BJU experience), and is grateful for the school and its influence in many lives. Our church is blessed many times over by the ministry of BJU.

But, I have also often cringed over the years at some aspects of the BJU posture and culture. I realized that certain decisions were made for pragmatic, rather than Biblical reasons. I quietly addressed my concerns to the appropriate person, namely Bob Jones III, which may be why I was “invited” to resign from GFA. And yet, I consider Bob Jones III to be my friend, and I continue to pray for him and his family regularly.

I am generally happy with the changes I see. If I have concerns in the future, I will likely address them to Steve Petit, with whom I am just now beginning to forge a friendship. I have prayed for my alma mater for many years, and believe some of what is now taking place is in answer to the prayers of faithful and concerned alumni.

… is 14 months old and I would be very happy for her to attend and graduate from this BJU. Both of the colleges I attended, TTU and NBBC (NIU), no longer exist. I trust BJU will still be going strong in 17 years when she is ready for college.

[WallyMorris]

So if you’re an older Christian who now questions the reasoning behind changes, you’re just clinging to “outdated cultural standards”, but if you’re a younger Christian who questions standards, then you’re simply seeking “Biblical justification”?

Isn’t some of the current leadership and faculty at BJU from Northland faculty and leadership? Seems more than coincidental.

Wally, yes and no. My first thought when reading your comment was to note that I’m an “equal opportunity offender”, and hence my inclination is to hold both sides of these debates to the requirement to have Biblical justification. Biblical justification to keep, say, the ban on beards, and Biblical justification to do away with it. To do otherwise is to undermine the first fundamental and Sola Scriptura.

That noted, in light of Paul’s letter to the Galatians and his emphasis on Christian liberty, I would dare say that those who wish to impose rules that are more stringent than the obvious sense of Scripture are the ones who have the clearer responsibility to justify these policies with Scripture, sound rhetoric, and clear facts. Those who would say “that’s not worth regulating” can simply point to the lack of Biblical authorization for that position and invite those who would impose it to come up with sound reasoning for their position. The default position is not regulation, but liberty.

This is especially the case when I consider how many of these policies are based on nonsense evidence, nonsense logic (guilt by association and ad hominem are prominent), and the like. If you want to tell students that academic and Biblical excellence only goes so far, and that when push comes to shove, the culture is going to set the tone, that’s what you do. If, on the other hand, BJU wants to show students that their stand for Biblical and academic excellence is strong, they need to proceed to make some changes in the student handbook, sometimes in the policies, but more importantly in how those policies are justified.

BJU is a lightening rod for passionate criticism. I didn’t go there (didn’t go to any Christian undergrad, actually), and I have no axe to grind one way or the other. From what I see, Pettit is doing a very good job. Regional accredditation is a big step. Go BJU.

From the outside, it seems as if Maranatha and BJU are both doing very well, and both have very capable, level-headed and sane leaders at the helm. I am very optimistic about both institutions going forward.

[Jim]

Enrollment up 4.9% Praise the Lord

Here’s a photo gallery of events at the start of this school year:

http://www.bju.edu/media/photo.php?gallery=418

I see students, both male and female, wearing jeans or even shorts in many of the photos. That’s definitely a change from years past.

I spent four days on the BJU campus in 1989, and I recall no jeans or shorts anywhere, ever. (Perhaps in the privacy of the dorms, maybe–but certainly not elsewhere, and most definitely not in mixed company.)

To my eye, these photos could have been taken at Wheaton, Bethel University (St. Paul, MN), University of Northwestern St. Paul, or any other mainstream evangelical college campus I’ve ever visited.

For those who’ve commented on the the changes in dress code, I’m curious: what is your reaction?

University isn’t daycare. You can’t treat adult students like they’re kindergartners, and expect spiritual maturity. Yay for a discipleship emphasis. Yay for jettisoning external standards as unhelpful. We seem to forget - the students are adults. We should treat them like adults. They (and/or their parents) are paying money for a product. A university’s job is to provide the product (i.e. education).

The university is an organization that sells a needed product, nothing more. Discipleship is the local church’s job.