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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2008 |

Cedarville's Tenure Tremor

The Baptist university is embroiled in a long-running dispute over the firing of two professors.

Sarah Pulliam | posted 4/03/2008 04:15PM

This story has been updated to reflect the board of trustees' decision Friday.

Cedarville University has become entangled in a dispute over theology and academic freedom after it terminated two tenured ...

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another cedarville student

Posted: April 17, 2008 2:20 PM

I am saddened by the things that are going on here at Cedarville University, but what saddens me more is the disgusting handling of things by the rest of the "Christian" community. The things that are talked about on blogs and in other articles written on the issue are generally biased and have incomplete information. Most of the people criticizing Cedarville have never even visited the university. Sitting in classes everyday, I hear great men and women of God discussing Scripture in ways that are theologically sound and relevant. It is a shame that the Christian community has been so quick to attack the university instead of lifting them up in prayer. It's safe to assume that all of the people blogging about this issue don't have all the details that they think they do, since legally, Cedarville cannot disclose all the details. Talking about the presumed "facts" is just as bad as spreading false rumors. Knowing the facts and gossiping about them is sinful.

GORDON DAHL

Posted: April 15, 2008 1:24 PM


HAVING READ ALL OF THE ABOVE I STILL AM NO CLOSER TO FINDING WHAT THE MAIN REASONS ARE FOR FIREING THE TWO PROFFESORS. GORDON DAHL

Brother

Posted: April 12, 2008 12:17 AM

Friends, to those of you who are looking at this objectivly, and realizing there are many sides to the issue: I commend you. To those who believe everything that is said: I implor you to dig deeper and more carefully. To those of you who attack CU: as ask what your motivation is and just how you are following Christ in such actions. Yes, there are imperfections and a problem is at our door, and there is no guarentee that anyone is completly faultless. But we must return the the very fact that we are called to act as a family, as ONE IN CHRIST through these trials. If you are in the family, why are you fightling, looking for a fight? Thank you for a fair article Ms. Pulliam, although people still twist your words. Friends and brothers, be God honoring as you look at these issues, and do read CU's website on the issue (Truth and Certainty).

Scott ('97)

Posted: April 11, 2008 9:28 AM

The Cedarville Liver blog seems to be ok in my book. I appreciated the way in which the author presented the issues. The blog is losing credibility in my mind. I submitted several comments and they are selectively approved. There seems to be some censorship going on which begins to undermine the credibility of the blog. I guess the true colors are coming forth. The issue of CU has less to do with the terminations and more to do with the infiltration of the emerging church theology. And the blogger doesn't seem interested in acknowledging the issue.

brian

Posted: April 09, 2008 9:38 AM


Thanks for the objective reporting... I've been following this story anecdotally for some time, but it's good to read a comprehensive piece of reporting, and from a Christian perspective as well.

Forester

Posted: April 08, 2008 3:33 PM

Thanks for the insider's view, cedarville student. I'm saddened for you and your classmates as a Huntington grad. I was at HU the year Dr. John Sanders (open theism controversy) was released. Academic freedom issues at Christian colleges sadden me because they get so messy. Quite frankly, the light of Christ was all but absent at HU during that ugly year while faculty and students were engaged in civil war with each other. Sides were more concerned about "winning" than about loving each other. Thanks, CU folks, for your articulate thoughts on this forum. I pray Christ may be evident through the coming months at CU. May the campus experience healing through lots of prayer and working toward forgiveness. May CT's writers be blessed with grace and sensitivity when informing us about such divisive issues as they arise in colleges.

Ibwatching

Posted: April 08, 2008 11:23 AM

In academics, part of the "performance" of a faculty member has to do with preparation along with national and international recognition. In the case of Dr. Meyer, he studied the Russian Language at the Moscow Steel Institute and was an international professor at the University of Saratov, teaching political science in Russian in an unrepentant Marxist deptartment. He was also an exchange student in Japan. Recently Meyer received a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics from Columbia University with a minor in International Relations. This Department is usually ranked in the top ten in the world, often as number one. His dissertation was unanimously accepted. The degree was granted in 2007 just three months before he was handed his termination papers at a tiny school called Cedarville. Go figure! Being terminated at the 'Ville for being a concerned, orthodox faculty member has become a badge of honor for a growing number of faculty members. And the end is not yet in sight.

under His mercy

Posted: April 08, 2008 11:08 AM

Another helpful link to this discussion is from Dr. Gromacki, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (www.cedarville.edu/academics/avp/truth/gromackistatement.cfm). Interestingly this link isn't referenced by those critical of Cedarville, nor by media articles, including CT's article. Dr. Gromacki states that on August 8, 2007, in an address to the faculty and staff of Cedarville that he had "concerns and suspicions" regarding the unfolding events at Cedarville. Thankfully he chose a biblical method to address his concerns. He actually met with those with whom he had questions - a 3 1/2 hour meeting. The outcome was that his concerns and suspicions were allayed. Please read his full statement as he offers another perspective that should resonate due to his long-term standing at Cedarville. God help us to not be content to label and dismiss, but to engage each other in conversation as we strive to stimulate each other to love and good deeds (Heb 10:25).

No Name

Posted: April 07, 2008 3:07 PM

I've been a part of this instititution for about 20 years and there are good people on both sides of the issue. I fully support the recent decision of the board, and at the same time I will continue to pray for God's blessing on those who have left. Many of us are praying that God will use this to make all of us more like Christ. The following two statements should reassure anyone who doubts Cedarville's theological orthodoxy. http://www.cedarville.edu/departments/hr/doctrinalstatement.htm http://www.cedarville.edu/acade mics/avp/truth/

Dr. David Meyer

Posted: April 07, 2008 11:57 AM

Dear "Saddened but hopeful", I note that you are attacking me anonymously, which is understandable, given that you offer no evidence for your accusation that I was terminated "for poor job performance". In fact, I have letters in my possession from my chairman, Dr. David Rich, my dean, Dr. Steven Winteregg, my academic Vice President, Dr. Robert Milliman, Cedarville's Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Carl Ruby, and from President Brown himself stating that I have done a good job at Cedarville, but that they did not demand the courses which are my specialty. You may e-mail me at djm21@columbia.edu if you'd like to see them. I already have another job, at which I have received a promotion in rank to Associate Professor, and my political science students have recently gotten into tier-one schools like Yale, Columbia, NYU, etc. It is indeed sad that some Christians slander others. However, as I seek to follow Christ, I forgive your words against me. Love in Jesus, Dr. David Meyer

Alumni

Posted: April 07, 2008 10:18 AM


Apparently Dr. Brown is lying when he says that they won't sue other Christians as you can see form this legal letter sent to an alumni and his hosting service that he has hosted the recording on. http://cedarvillesituation.com/attorney.pdf

Steve

Posted: April 07, 2008 8:58 AM

It is difficult to be sure of what the truth is here. Cedarville states on their website that the decisions they made are not based on theology and that they affirm their stance on objective biblical christianity. From what I have read, it appears that these professor were terminated because of the way they criticized fellow faculty members. It is also apparent that there is turmoil within the theology department. I understand that every faculty member affirms the statement of faith every year, but the problem with those who adhere to the emergent church view is that they can affirm the words but think that they mean something totally different. This is simply a marxist worldview infiltrating the church. Thus, it would not surprise me if the warning these professors have sounded is true and that Cedarville needs to investigate further. It is also sad to read the flip remarks by Dr. Brown. I have met the man and up to this point been impressed by his commitment to Christ.

Saddened but hopeful

Posted: April 07, 2008 8:58 AM

As someone watching from the inside, I believe that I have to test the spirits as Scripture commands. As I have watched this situation unfold at CU it is very clear on which side the fruit of the Spirit is/has been evidenced & if this were the Solomon/baby incident there is no doubt which side would demand the baby be cut in half (see Nazarene Forever's comment). I was previously associated with another Christian university who was controlled by a hyper-conservative group and it now exists as a shadow of its previous self, but the controlling group takes pride that "Bless God, it may be dying, but we didn't allow it to change!" A sad legacy that "the Concerned" I perceive desire to see happen at CU & one last grasp for power before they depart. So sad that the RA and Prof. Meyer are trying to "hitch their wagon" to this situation, rather than taking personal responsiblity for poor job performance as the reason they were/are being let go, not for some larger philosophical conspiracy.

NazereneForever

Posted: April 06, 2008 7:57 PM

Be careful Nazerene! Being in Christian Higher Education for over 42 years, I have observed administrators make both brilliant and poor decisions, all in the name of serving the King. Man is fallable, God is not. He is ultimately in charge. Wishing such destruction on one who has been chosen to lead a fine institution such as Cedarville, (although I feel the GARBC is too legalistic for my position in Christ) I still respect their mission and purpose. You would be well to do also. Pride is dangerous.

NazareneForever

Posted: April 06, 2008 10:41 AM

President Brown nor the University didn't threaten to sue? I've got a 2-page letter that says otherwise...want me to show the evidence of just another lie of Dr. Browns. Just another lie by a corrupt Dr. Brown and his corrupt administration that will soon be brought to it's knee's. He can laugh about what they had for lunch along with the sycophantic Board of Trustee's who buy into his lies. That will soon change. Dr. Brown, if you're reading this, you're about ready to be shown truth and justice. Your power base will dissolve into an abyss. There will be a tidal wave coming your way, guaranteed.

Steven

Posted: April 06, 2008 9:24 AM

If President Brown's comments in this article are a reflection of his leadership, then perhaps he bears a large part of the responsiblity for what is going on at Cedarville. He equates the trustee's deliberations over the livelihood of a member of his faculty with their debate over where to have lunch, offers a weak joke on men having to wear skirts to movies, and then hides behind a self-serving interpretation of 1 Cor 6 to piously suggest that the school is beyond accountability for treatment of its employees. No, Cedarville doesn't sue other believers--they only offer contracts in bad faith, make a mockery of tenure, refuse to honor their own grievance process, discuss private personnel matters with students, and suppress anything that presents the school in a bad light.

Kirk	Posted: April 06, 2008 12:28 AM

I find this both hilarious and upsetting simultaneously. My own university had a similar experience--that is, very vaguely similar--when a beloved professor was fired for converting to Catholicism. "Wheaton, dear old Wheaton, live forever..." Right. Sarah Pulliam is truly an amazing reporter for providing us with accurate, timely information about such interesting events as the one in this article. I'm glad to be her stalker. In reply to previous comments, those who find it fit to use the phrase "postmodernism" as synonymous with "moral relativism" or "anti-theory/anti-religion" have no idea what they are talking about. For heaven's sake, "Postmodernism" is no more a set group of doctrines than modernism. It is, to put it exceedingly simply and crudely, everything from the 18th century onward that has been influenced by Hegelian philosophy, the Continental Philosophical tradition being much of this. "Fear is the mind killer." -Frank Herbert's "Dune" Ignorance is as well.

manutdglory

Posted: April 05, 2008 12:34 AM

I have studied the emerging church and agree with PKD that emerging theology is unorthodox at best and heretical at worst. While evangelical seeker-sensitive churches have sought to change the methods of presenting the Gospel to reach the lost, they have held to the core of the Gospel. However, most of the emerging churches (not all) seek to not only change the presentation of the Gospel, but the actual Gospel itself, in order to appeal to a generation that rejects objective truth. Because Christianity is all about objective truth - "No man comes to the Father except through Me (Christ)", it is completely incompatible with postmodernism. However PKD, in this case, I believe the Cedarville profs who were fired were actually critical of emerging theology and they got in trouble when they criticized Cedarville profs who supported it. I have several friends are Cedarville alums and am friends with a trustee, so I find it odd that the school has supporters of emerging theology.

forgiven

Posted: April 04, 2008 9:32 PM


check out ... a good read! http://cedarvilleliver.blogspot.com/

AND	Posted: April 04, 2008 8:33 PM


Cedarville is still a conservative university with a strong commitment to Biblical authority and inerrancy which I understand all faculty, staff, and administraors must sign annually. Their website provides alot of background on this situation. Seems like they are trying to be less of a fundamentalist school and more of a mainstream conservative evangelical school. I applaud that.

PKD	Posted: April 04, 2008 4:01 PM

Emergent Theology is quite frankly the worst thing I have seen in 30 years as a Christian. The problem is that we must react to it in a Christian way. Are these professors being given a hearing. If not it results in slander. However, if they are supporting more radical theology, they need to have the integrity to resign. When I was deciding on a university to attend in the late 70s I thought that Cedarvile was ridiculously conservative. How did it go from no sideburns to postmodern relativism?

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