I see that Liberty.....

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Anchor

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I see that Liberty maintaining its strong Christian stance by once again ignoring anyone who may be clearly identified as a Scripture loving, Gospel-centered champion of the Kingdom of Christ for a Hollywood / political celebrity as the voice of their most public communique'--commencement.  :'(

The Mormon idolater Romney is but another in a lengthening list of other Mormons, Catholics, unbelieving Jews of the "Intelligent Design" flavor, and a litany of Hollywood/political types with, at best, questionable testimonies of a true belief in Jesus Christ. Seems like the only thing consistently missing from Liberty commencements is a clear focus on the Gospel. 

Maybe one of these years we will see a Gospel-centered voice at Liberty commencement.  That would be a nice aberration.

And maybe I'll grow wings and fly to the moon, too. 

 
Obvious jealously from a BJU boy.  LU ALWAYS has a very, very strong Christian speaker at their Baccalaureate service, because that is a religious service.  They have chose to have a variety of speakers for graduation because that is more of a celebration, unlike a BJU graduation, where everyone is so tight, you couldn't get a mustard seed up a graduate's tail with a jackhammer.  I guess Billy Graham is not a Christ-centered voice?  Heck, he even went to BJU until he got smart enough to move on.
Another thing about LU, they are growing by leaps and bounds and haven't had to lay off professors and cut back on majors like BJU has been forced to do.  BJ is pretty much a legacy school now and is a mere shadow of what it was in the 60's and 70's.  Anyone today who wants to be elected dog catcher wouldn't go near a racist university like BJU to deliver a commencement address. 
Now that BJ's attendance is way down they decide to try for regional accreditation, even though they stated it was wrong to do so previously.  They are also going back to playing intercollegiate sports (in a Mickey Mouse NCCAA). I personally heard BJ Jr. say that was wrong to do. But hypocrisy has always been a strong suit at the Vatican in Greenville. 
I literally know hundreds of kids who went to both schools, staff members at both schools, etc.  I don't really think you want to get in a contest on this subject.
"Do right till the stars fall"  LOL!!!!!!!!     
 
bruinboy said:
Obvious jealously from a BJU boy.  LU ALWAYS has a very, very strong Christian speaker at their Baccalaureate service, because that is a religious service.  They have chose to have a variety of speakers for graduation because that is more of a celebration, unlike a BJU graduation, where everyone is so tight, you couldn't get a mustard seed up a graduate's tail with a jackhammer.  I guess Billy Graham is not a Christ-centered voice?  Heck, he even went to BJU until he got smart enough to move on.
Another thing about LU, they are growing by leaps and bounds and haven't had to lay off professors and cut back on majors like BJU has been forced to do.  BJ is pretty much a legacy school now and is a mere shadow of what it was in the 60's and 70's.  Anyone today who wants to be elected dog catcher wouldn't go near a racist university like BJU to deliver a commencement address. 
Now that BJ's attendance is way down they decide to try for regional accreditation, even though they stated it was wrong to do so previously.  They are also going back to playing intercollegiate sports (in a Mickey Mouse NCCAA). I personally heard BJ Jr. say that was wrong to do. But hypocrisy has always been a strong suit at the Vatican in Greenville. 
I literally know hundreds of kids who went to both schools, staff members at both schools, etc.  I don't really think you want to get in a contest on this subject.
"Do right till the stars fall"  LOL!!!!!!!!   
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From someone who attended both schools. +1
 
Even the Catholics see that these speakers have meaning. 

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/pat-archbold/outrage-catholic-georgetown-chooses-sebelius-for-commencement

It is typical that these speakers receive an honorary degree of some sort from the institution when they are asked to speak.  If that is the practice of Liberty, then this institution whose singular message is supposedly the Gospel has, by my count over the last 8 consecutive years, found honoris causa in 2 outspoken Catholics, 2 outspoken Mormons, 1 practically agnostic Jew, a couple of Hollywood elites with Universalist tendencies, and a moderate politico of uncertain (if any) belief system.

Way to get the message out that the goal is the Gospel.  ???
 
Hey Anchor, if you go to C-Span right now, you can watch LU's Commencement televised nationwide.  Great crowd, probably 25-30,000 people.  Good speech too.  :)
 
Anchor said:
Even the Catholics see that these speakers have meaning. 

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/pat-archbold/outrage-catholic-georgetown-chooses-sebelius-for-commencement

It is typical that these speakers receive an honorary degree of some sort from the institution when they are asked to speak.  If that is the practice of Liberty, then this institution whose singular message is supposedly the Gospel has, by my count over the last 8 consecutive years, found honoris causa in 2 outspoken Catholics, 2 outspoken Mormons, 1 practically agnostic Jew, a couple of Hollywood elites with Universalist tendencies, and a moderate politico of uncertain (if any) belief system.

Way to get the message out that the goal is the Gospel.  ???
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You are correct about the Honorary Degrees. Mitt got one today, along with the founder of the largest community bank system in Virginia and the Founder of Chic Filet. 
I know for a fact that BJ has conferred degrees upon, racist, whore-hoppers, child abusers, etc.  All University's have done the same thing.
The difference between BJ and LU is that LU can give accredited degrees.  Another difference is the end product of their education.  Like I mentioned earlier, I know hundreds of graduates from both schools. Have family members who went to both schools, staff members at both schools, etc.  It will come as no surprise to you that one group of graduates are more spiritual and better trained for their life ahead.
Carry on green eyes.   
 
bruinboy said:
Hey Anchor, if you go to C-Span right now, you can watch LU's Commencement televised nationwide.  Great crowd, probably 25-30,000 people.  Good speech too.  :)
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And I'm sure Christ was honored and the Gospel was championed.  Oh wait, foolish me...........he doesn't believe in Christ or the Gospel.  Well, I'm sure some god-figure was promoted.  That's close enough I guess. 
 
Liberty is completely comfortable with such criticism.....which certainly isn't new.
One of our local Christian Schools is in the middle of a similar identity crisis.....they have been for years controlled by the Bob Jones faction of fundamentalism. They are slowly dying and the board is in the process of changing people and policy.....and all heck is breaking loose.

I was asked my opinion and told them that the problem with that brand of fundamentalism is that they don't understand the difference between truth and methods....so they confuse the two. If you want a chance to save your school, bring in leadership that knows the difference.

I like and respect Anchor, but he shares this malady....but I love him anyway!  :)
 
Tarheel Baptist said:
Liberty is completely comfortable with such criticism.....which certainly isn't new.
One of our local Christian Schools is in the middle of a similar identity crisis.....they have been for years controlled by the Bob Jones faction of fundamentalism. They are slowly dying and the board is in the process of changing people and policy.....and all heck is breaking loose.

I was asked my opinion and told them that the problem with that brand of fundamentalism is that they don't understand the difference between truth and methods....so they confuse the two. If you want a chance to save your school, bring in leadership that knows the difference.

I like and respect Anchor, but he shares this malady....but I love him anyway!  :)
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Awwww, shucks.  :-[  Big hug!!!!

OK, back to the subject at hand.  As much as I respect you personally and many in the Liberty sphere, this is not a school vs. school thing.  I wish it were that simple.  A number of my absolute dearest friends are Liberty grads and supporters, and like Duke/UNC supporters, a lot of good-natured jabs are always in order. This is far beyond alma mater envy, or even methodology.

Every organization has a brain cramp from time to time in who they honor, champion, associate with, or provide a platform to.  That is to be expected. But this is far beyond brain cramp, or even offering a political stump for some chump. 

It has moved to the arena of identity.  And that identity is not Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  That identity is "Save America; vote Republican!" or "Change America; Promote better Hollywood fare!" 

8 consecutive years of commencement speakers addressing a forum of 25-30,000 individuals (BB's #'s) and as a statement of who Liberty is, and not one that even clearly knows the Savior, much less is willing to unconditionally affirm "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness........"  That is indefensible. 
 
Pragmatism in the church or Christian schools has always bothered me....I stood against it in the SBC...and I stand against it in Christian schools ...Jesus was not a Republican or Democrat
 
T-Bone said:
Pragmatism in the church or Christian schools has always bothered me....I stood against it in the SBC...and I stand against it in Christian schools ...Jesus was not a Republican or Democrat
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This is a much more valid argument. There is a part of me that is very uncomfortable with the seeming wrapping of evangelicalism with the GOP....although I claim both. To some people becoming a Christian is tantamount to becoming a Republican and it is a needless stumbling block.

On the other hand I think a Christian university is a valid setting to teach a conservative worldview. Most every university has a worldview of some type. I really don't have a problem with a non-believer speaking at a commencement at a Christian university that makes a point of distinction of having a conservative worldview providing he/she provides a (more) conservative worldview than what exists or may exist. I would likely do it different much of the time but not always for the sake of balance.

Let's face it, many of the same critics with crocodile tears now for Liberty having a non-believer didn't like when Billy Graham was the commencement speaker or some of the other blatant Christians either. :)
 
I'm gonna ask the same question as I did two years ago when Glenn Beck was the commencement speaker: is the United States so short of high-profile Christian intellectuals, that Liberty has to settle for inviting heretics and apostates to speak at their commencement exercises?
 
Next time I see Jerry Jr., I will let him know you and Anchor are concerned about his choice of commencement speakers.  Regardless of what LU does, someone will have something negative to say. They are not perfect, but it is hard to argue with their success as a world class Evangelical University.  I don't know of another one that has the national/spiritual influence that they do. 
 
bruinboy said:
Next time I see Jerry Jr., I will let him know you and Anchor are concerned about his choice of commencement speakers.  Regardless of what LU does, someone will have something negative to say. They are not perfect, but it is hard to argue with their success as a world class Evangelical University.  I don't know of another one that has the national/spiritual influence that they do.
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Hey, if perceived success is the criteria, then let's look at guys like Solomon.  I mean, he called down the fire of the LORD into the holy place (I Chron. 7) and built the wealthiest kingdom of the world and wrote significant portions of the OT.  Oh, and the people of Israel are still dispersed and suffering some 3000 years later from his allowance of idolatry in his kingdom. 

Idolatry is idolatry, boys and girls, and God hates it!
 
The fact that a presidential candidate accepted an invitation to speak at Liberty University commencement service speaks volumes of the influence of Liberty.
 
Careful gentlemen, some of your arguments in favor of this pragmatism sounds a lot like the things heard about the Hyles/Schaap group...their size and their influence doesn't excuse anything...in fact it makes it all the more sad!
 
I think a university has the right to bring in who they would like to speak at their graduation.  The fact that they go outside of "Christianity" for them doesn't hurt their credibility, but shows how they are trying to have an influence an impact for Christ outside of fundamentalism.
 
Mathew Ward said:
I think a university has the right to bring in who they would like to speak at their graduation.  The fact that they go outside of "Christianity" for them doesn't hurt their credibility, but shows how they are trying to have an influence an impact for Christ outside of fundamentalism.
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That is one way to look at it...though it has not be the tradition of Universities through the years.  And I would add that when we are dealing with what is supposed to be a distinctly Christian University or a church for that matter the bigger message is more important than the temporal politcal message.  And if anyone thinks this is not about the political message...could you show me where President Obama was invited to speak.
 
Mathew Ward said:
I think a university has the right to bring in who they would like to speak at their graduation.  The fact that they go outside of "Christianity" for them doesn't hurt their credibility, but shows how they are trying to have an influence an impact for Christ outside of fundamentalism.
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There's a difference between going "outside of Christianity" and bringing "outside of Christianity" in.
 
T-Bone said:
Mathew Ward said:
I think a university has the right to bring in who they would like to speak at their graduation.  The fact that they go outside of "Christianity" for them doesn't hurt their credibility, but shows how they are trying to have an influence an impact for Christ outside of fundamentalism.
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That is one way to look at it...though it has not be the tradition of Universities through the years.  And I would add that when we are dealing with what is supposed to be a distinctly Christian University or a church for that matter the bigger message is more important than the temporal politcal message.  And if anyone thinks this is not about the political message...could you show me where President Obama was invited to speak.
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I think you would be hard pressed to find a list of Universities that did not go outside of their "own".  For example Notre Dame...with the Presdient...and since 1960 the principal speakers at Commencement have been increasingly well known, coming from all walks of life. Among them:

Government figures Henry Cabot Lodge (1962), Eugene McCarthy (1967), Andrew Young (1988) and Elizabeth Dole (1999); Canadian Prime Ministers Lester Pearson (1963) and Pierre Trudeau (1982); the president of El Salvador (and Notre Dame alumnus) Jose Napoleon Duarte (1985); Irish Taoiseach Albert Reynolds (1994) and President Mary McAleese (2006); U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (2000); and Sen. Richard Lugar (2003)

Yale University President Kingman Brewster, Jr. (1972), Harvard University President Derek Bok (1987), UCLA professor Rosemary Park (1974), Stanford Provost (and former Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice, a Notre Dame alumna (1995), and Carnegie Foundation president and former university president Vartan Gregorian (2005)

Urban League Executive Director Vernon Jordan Jr. (1976)

Actor Bill Cosby (1990), former commissioner of baseball Peter Ueberroth (1989) and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice (and alumnus) Alan Page (2004)

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (1983), Bishop James Malone (1986), and Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (2008)

Journalists William F. Buckley, Jr. (1978), Tom Brokaw (1993), Mark Shields (1997) and Tim Russert (2002)

General Electric chairman and chief executive officer Jeffrey Immelt (2007).

As far Thomas Road's bigger message, I have not seen where they have disminished the gospel message have you?
 
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