This visit has been the source of no little controversy, beginning with what was viewed by some as a too positive response to the possibility of this visit by the administration of C.U. That stance has been disputed, and in several conversations I have had with those in leadership at the university, they state that they did NOT want a visit, but knew they would be targeted, and have simply tried to be proactive in being ready for the visit.
Cedarville’s position and plan can be digested in full on their website.
Basically the position is, the campus is open space, C.U. cannot physically keep them off, so they will strictly limit their activities through an agreed contract. Apparently when this has been done, Soulforce has honored the terms agreed upon.
Other schools have varying approaches, from banning them and threatening their arrest (there were arrests last year), to open invitations and free access to campus. The moderating position being taken by C.U. and some others is meant to avoid looking like the stereotypical “bigoted fundamentalist” who shows no love to people, but at the same time keep Soulforce in check.
To be honest, I’m not sure which approach would yield the best results. Those who banned them last year were usually portrayed negatively in whatever media coverage was given—and this is definitely Soulforce’s desire—media attention. I have my doubts as to how well the moderate approach can work, given Soulforce’s track record of spinning events in the media. The harm from such spin to a school’s reputation could be significant. Below is an example of how Soulforce spins its visits to schools that allow them on campus. I know that APU took a position similar to that which Cedarville is trying to hold. The quote is from the the Soulforce website.
Eight of the 2007 riders are current or former students from schools on the 2006 ride, including Vince Cervantes and Vince Pancucci, a young couple who experienced Equality Ride 2006 as students at Azusa Pacific University. This evangelical Christian school welcomed the riders and hosted a public forum; more than 1,200 Azusa students listened, cried, and prayed for healing as Equality Riders shared their experiences of anti-gay violence. Inspired by that event, Cervantes and Pancucci have come out to the campus and become activists in their communities.
I am not saying that this is what will result, but simply that when one reads that APU “welcomed” them, “hosted a public forum” for Equality Riders to share with students who “listened, cried, and prayed” with them, it certainly sounds different than saying that they were polite to protesters who showed up on campus. The possibility of over a thousand students attending a Soulforce presentation makes one wonder if some of that number might prove to be as impressionable as the APU students mentioned if they struggle with same sex attraction.
There is also an issue related to the welcoming of representatives of a non-Christian religious/spiritual movement, especially one headed by someone who has purposely rejected biblical teaching to embrace heretical understandings of Scripture. Does such a welcome fall under the prohibitions of 2 John on welcoming false teachers? This would not be a question if Soulforce were not religious in character or led by Mel White. Their website makes clear that they are on a mission to convert others to their views, not to dialogue in a search for the truth. Knowing that C.U. is not a local church, it may be that they see their position here differently.
One other question in my mind is what the response will be if advocate groups for other behaviors and views incompatible with biblical teaching ask Cedarville for time on campus. Will such groups also be allowed to come and in some form interact with students? If NAMBLA or NARAL send busloads of student volunteers, will they be given a chance to be heard? Is PETA acceptable? Is this a true case of the “slippery slope” we always hear about? I wonder.
I am praying for the leadership of C.U. and its students, faculty, and staff as they face this challenge. They have chosen their strategy and believe it is the best decision for the school. I pray that they will be proven right.
What would I do? I’ve been asked this question more than I would have guessed. I do not profess that this is the correct stance, but I think I would have told Soulforce…
1. Our position is no more changeable than the Bible.
2. If they want to come to town and meet in a neutral setting with some of our representatives to challenge our view and hear our response, we would be willing to do so.
3. They are not welcome to come onto campus as “Soulforce,” nor may they distribute literature, attend classes, solicit private or group conversations with students, faculty, or staff. Cedarville University is a private institution and has the right to limit who can represent themselves on campus.
4. Local law enforcement would be notified and asked to take action if “Soulforce” chose to disregard our clear prohibition of their activities on campus.
Why would I go this direction? This is my rationale…
1. They represent themselves as a quasi-Christian/ecumenical religious group, and as such are not to be viewed as simply misguided, but as promoters of false teaching.
2. Their leader (Mel White)is someone who would have to be classified as an active, proselytizing, apostate. These first two points are an attempt to honor the spirit of 2 John’s warning against polite acceptance when false teachers seek a hearing.
3. There are certainly those on campus (a small number to be sure) who struggle with same sex attraction. Exposure to articulate spokesmen and spokeswomen who teach that homosexuality can be practiced within Christian faith may be a negative factor in their battle against this temptation.
4. There is a larger (though still small, I hope) number of students who are, to put it mildly, lacking in good judgment and discernment (that is why we do not recognize them as “mature adults” yet, even though most can vote). Some could manifest unchristian behavior and attitudes. Others could become unwitting accomplices in this publicity hunt by Soulforce, voicing solidarity in an attempt to “hate the sin but love the sinner” that won’t come out right. Still others will seek to show their ability to be open-minded and “affirming” to the Equality Riders, but in the kind of overblown rhetoric that is endemic on a college campus, leading to the wrong kinds of debates.
5. There is the watching eye of the larger C.U. constituency, upon whom the nuanced approach being taken may well be lost. What they will hear is that “a gay activist group was hosted on campus.” Many won’t take the time to investigate the situation, they will just chalk it up as another piece of evidence that the school is abandoning its moorings. That issue is already on the radar (and seems to reappear every few years with each new campus controversy), and this won’t help. Dr. Ruby shared with pastors who attended a luncheon to hear about this visit that he has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the constituency (parents, alumni) who have heard about this issue. That is encouraging, but my concern is with what I would guess is the much larger group who are not paying close attention yet.
It isn’t my call, ultimately, and I do believe that God will work in this situation as those who love Him seek to do their best to honor Him. I pray that every hope that the C.U. administration has for their response comes to fruition. I pray that hearts are changed and turned toward God.
But I’m just a little uncomfortable with where things stand right now.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment