|
|
Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Nov 23, 2013 7:24:38 GMT -6
Moved from another thread ; Mosley said we have commitments from some really big-time players that are turning down offers from Texas, A&M, OU, etc because they are searching for a Christian school with high-quality academics. I have no doubt that it's only a matter of time before Coach Goodenough strikes on some real game-changers. After all, look at what she did this past year. Maybe I've got purple-colored glasses on, but I'm really drinking the cool-aid. Seems like we've got a lot to look forward to. Slightly off topic but directly related to your comment about students in search of a Christian school with high quality academics: The ACU Faculty Senate recently recommended that the board broaden its hiring policy to permit recruitment of faculty "who are committed to the core of the gospel" but who are not members of the Church of Christ. This move, if adopted, will enable ACU to hire the best qualified Christian faculty available, a move sure to enhance academics. While not the case in every discipline, many departments on campus have difficulty finding even marginally qualified faculty who are members of the C of C. The Optimist has endorsed the proposed change. They note the irony of a university affiliated with the non-denominational churches of Christ having a denominational hiring policy. (I will probably leave this post here for a day or so and then move it to a new thread so we can focus more directly on recruiting here). www.acuoptimist.com/2013/11/to-hire-or-not-to-hire/ |
|
|
|
Post by Scooter on Nov 25, 2013 8:51:37 GMT -6
Weren't early Church of Christ leaders famous for saying, "Christians only, but not the only Christians?" This is a chance to live what we preach. Can I get an amen?
|
|
|
|
Post by acutrackfan on Nov 25, 2013 13:32:54 GMT -6
This is a sticky question. The vote by the faculty was by a narrow margin. The biggest proponents of the change are those departments where it is increasingly difficult to find a CofC member that fills the bill academically. Some areas of the school have been dangerously close to losing accreditation because of difficulty in getting faculty with the appropriate advanced degrees.
In practice, the sticking point will probably come within the question of "who from outside the CofC can we accept into this "fellowship"? Is a Mormon suitable to add to the ACU faculty, for instance? (Stephen Covey was a long-time member of the faculty at BYU). Virtually all of the CofC related K-12 schools have moved to a "Statement of faith" concept - including all of the ones in Texas.
Don't expect to see movement on this in the near future. The same faculty vote that voted for the change also voted overwhelmingly to have the matter studied with outside constituencies (alumni) before any final decisions are made.
Scooter - yes, I believe it was N.B. Hardeman who preached a series of sermons in Nashville's Ryman Auditorium in front of banner that said something like "let's be Christians only" - the "only Christians" thought came along later.
|
|
|
|
Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Nov 25, 2013 16:41:20 GMT -6
I did a little online research, Scooter and Track Fan. (One of the advantages of being retired. I have time to explore stuff that interests me). Here is what I found:
In 1928, N. B. Hardeman, co-founder of Freed Hardeman University, said: "I have never been so egotistic as to say that my brethren with whom I commune on the first day of the week are the only Christians on this earth. I never said that in my life. I do make the claim that we are Christians only. But there is a vast difference between that expression and the one formerly made" (Hardeman Tabernacle Sermons 3:125).
IN 1888, James A Harding, co-founder of David Lipscomb University and the namesake of Harding University, said We do not claim to be the only Christians on earth (Harding-Nichols Debate, p. 94). We need to learn again the truth that we (the Yellow Pages Churches of Christ) are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only. To say anything more would be arrogant and sectarian.
Track fan, The devil is always in the details isn't it? No need to reinvent the wheel though. ACU could use the statement of faith concept you cited, or, look at how Pepperdine or other CCCU institutions such ss Calvin College or Wheaton deal with this issue.
You are spot on when you say several disciplines have come close to losing accreditation because of problems recruiting qualified C of C faculty. Its not a problem for, say, English Literature, where a plethora of qualified applicants are available. That's not the case for some other areas though.
I am glad to hear that change will come about slowly, if at all. It is an issue that certainly needs to be thought through carefully.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenneth Sublett on Dec 21, 2013 18:12:10 GMT -6
The earthen vessel probably always gets cracked when you replace the command to PREACH the WORD (Logos, regulative principle) by READING the Word for Comfort and Doctrine (Christ in the wilderness and Paul to Timothy) and violate a fundamental of Christ:
Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
The Ezekiel 33 version names hypocrites as speakers who speak for fun and money, singers, instrument players and an AUDIENCE with no intention of obeying God.
A Church of Christ is built upon or educated by the Prophets and Apostles both by the Spirit OF Christ and Jesus making the prophecies more certain and eye-- and ear-- witnesses such as Peter who said that the fulfilled prophecy is not subject to private interpretation which means further expounding.
Because we probably don't know of such a place to REST and "Learn of Me", it probably makes no difference which theologian teaches those seeing godliness as financial gain. After all, the question is asked: "Shall He find faith when He returns?" Little and that LITTLE FLOCK will not be engaged in "holy entertainment.
|
|
