Crisis of Faith Statements
Christian historian George Marsden says this type of situation is perennial. In cases where two or more parties both affirm a statement and still have different interpretations of what that statement really intends, trustees may try to "rein the faculty in," he said.
But Joe Ricke, professor of English at Taylor University and author of an essay published inThe Christian College Phenomenonentited "The Hesitants Among Us: The Tightrope Act of Christian Scholarship," says it does not work to say that white papers simply restate positions implied in a doctrinal statement.
"If that's really true, you don't need a white paper," he said.
However, times may arise when faith statements actually need clarification or revision, Ream says. Just as important as the content of any revisions, he says, is the manner in which they are generated.
"In essence, they should arise initially from significant stakeholders in the community and then be brought to relevant members of the larger community for their input and approval," he said.
Hoekema agrees. "These are questions of interpretation," he said. "Whether you're in a Lutheran or Catholic institution, or a Baptist or Pentecostal college," he said, "people whose academic specialty bears on these questions should not just be permitted, but should be encouraged to raise questions to keep the debate going."
Editor's note: This article has been updated and expanded.
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Roger Morris
Fundamentalism is a dirty word. This fomenting of disunity by biblical literalists will only further accelerate the decline of Christianity's relevance in the contemporary culture.
Joe Martin
As a professor this amuses me. There is far greater dissent on far greater issues than the mere interpretive one showcased here. Plenty of profs diverge from orthodoxy on scores of points, but are allowed to teach. Christian Colleges desperately want the friendship of the world and the affirmation and dollars of their young students. A small board's statement of orthodoxy does not insure fidelity when hiring committees are bringing on female professors and Ivy League names that mouth acceptance while fairly obviously chasing the cultural zeitgeist. By comparison, Cedarville is a tempest in a teapot.
Claire Guest
Michelle Wilson, I appreciate your time in responding to my query, and I believe I understand the situation better now. Personally, I can't see any reason to read the Bible any differently than just as it is written. Christ Jesus confirmed the veracity of OT events over and over again, including some which are often mocked and scorned today as unworthy of acceptance. I don't know if or how this might compare with a very simliar issue the SBC faced in the '80s, but I do know that unBiblical teaching in SBC seminaries was a real problem which undermined the quality of preaching and teaching in SBC churches, which of course directly affected pastors and laymen alike.