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Christianity Today, October, 2007 |

Campus Capitalism

Colorado Christian firing raises questions about university's politics.

Kristen Scharold | posted 9/17/2007 10:04AM

Less than twelve months after students named Andrew Paquin faculty member of the year, the administration of Colorado Christian University dismissed the popular professor. Paquin believes his concerns ...

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Jimi Pitts

Posted: September 24, 2007 1:42 PM


I think G.K. Chesterton summed it all up, "all government is evil, but all government is necessary." Are we defining our Christianity by Capitalism or Capitalism by our Christianity?

N/A	Posted: September 22, 2007 2:49 AM

"Stanton Jones, provost at Wheaton College, believes prescribing a wide-ranging set of beliefs, beyond a simple doctrinal and position statement, impinges on a school's much-needed academic freedom. "[Christian colleges] should try to prevent themselves from taking a stance on political and public policy issues that the Bible does not take a clear stand on," he said." I believe this statement one hundred percent. I don't believe CCU's job is to sway students politically, but I do believe it's wrong for them to let go of a professor who holds his own views. It seems like the student body needs to stand up to the administration once again. I would like to be taught all opinions, thank you Paquin. I always felt there was a good discussion and many open opinions in your class room.

Trevor Simmons

Posted: September 18, 2007 10:33 AM

Dear Bruce Bunner, Your words sound a little glib when you accuse Andrew Paquin of hiding behind the guise of academic freedom. Far from seeking to blend with a pluralistic culture, what Paquin is doing is the very essence of what has made our "system" worthy of your praise: he's questioning and seeking ways to improve the shortcomings of the present system. The Cold War is over, and it's time for Christians to allow their brethren to search for alternatives and improvements for the capitalistic system without accusing them of undermining it, and without the "red purges" that Armstrong has recently reminded us of. The prophet Habakkuk may have had some good things to say, but the prophet Jesus also had some good things to say, amongst them, that "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." If you want to speak of "true Christian values," perhaps you should speak of this, along with "faith, hope, and love." If only Armstrong would allow their free practice...

Wendell Franklin Wentz

Posted: September 17, 2007 5:56 PM

What made America big and great? Was it Capitalism? Was it Christianity? I don't think so!! I think it was GREED pure and simple GREED. It put us in every war we fought. It made us steal the property of other nations. It instills the myth that we are better than other nations. I don't know Senator Armstrong, but after reading about him, I would consider him to be a right-wing, narrow, far-right fundamentalist, who knows all the answers and knows what is best for this nation, and demands that others think like he does, and say the things he agrees with. That is all there is to it.

John	Posted: September 17, 2007 3:50 PM

Andrew Paquin for President! Finally someone willing to say the truth, that the Bible endorses no economic system, and that the bare-knuckled brand of uber-capitalism practiced in America and around the world these days is clearly NOT in line with the teachings of Jesus. Would Jesus support employees losing pensions, health care, job security, employers chasing the bottom where people will work the hardest for the least with the least health, safetly, and other protections? Where employers cut corners on things like lead and other poisons, where CHILDREN work long hours for little pay? Yeah, I am sure Jesus would back such a system...and the good folks at Colorado Christian University should keep on teaching that!

Beau in NC

Posted: September 17, 2007 1:25 PM

When Bruce Bunner says "our capitalistic heritage....limited government, and values underpinning our constitution have allowed us to as a nation and people to more freely practice true Christian values" he reveals two of the greatest heresies of modern Christianity. One: that our nationality or "people-hood" is American. No, our nationality is Christian. Two: that Christians are somehow more Christian in America. No, Christians are always simultaneosly saints and sinners in every era and in every nation. An American may have more money to share, but a poor Christian in Zimbabwe may give more, because he or she may be giving all. Being a true Christian always puts you at odds with whatever secular government or economic system you live in. If we think America or capitalism make us better Christians, then we have made a golden calf and broken several commandments Both must come under the absolute judgment of the One who is coming again.

Bruce Bunner

Posted: September 17, 2007 1:03 PM

I am not sure we are hearing the whole story here. The words of the professor sound a little glib using the guise of academic freedom to make his case. I think people and academic leaders like Senator Armstrong feel a little like Habakkuk when the prophet bemoaned that Judah of his time (like some evangelicals in our time) was so bent on just blending in with a pluralistic culture -- as it seemingly offered that day's form of prosperity and feel good theology. While our capitalistic heritage isn't sacred; that system, along with limited government, and the values underpinning our constitution have allowed us as a nation and people to more freely practice true Christian values moreso than any other economic and political system. In other words Armstrong recognizes that the freedom of the system has historically allowed our nation and people to truly practice the missional spirit of Micah 6:8; which indeed goes all the way back to Abraham. Armstrong may be on to something?

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