I see that Liberty.....

[4everfsu]

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.

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.

Presidential 2008 democratic candidates were invited to speak at chapel but they turned it down.

 

[Ransom]

Mathew Ward said:

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.

Is it your contention, then, that the reason they invited Mitt Romney to speak at Commencement is to give students an opportunity to witness to Romney?

As opposed to, say, their well-known and long-established tradition of all but equating Christianity with voting Republican - and, as frequently as not, overlooking the former if someone says the right talking points on the latter.

In the mid-90s, I knew a girl from my church who had gone to Liberty to study.  This was, of course, in the middle of the Clinton years.  The only thing I ever recall her sharing with us that she had learned at school, was the number of murders Bill Clinton was responsible for. Not coincidentally, Falwell was hawking The Clinton Chronicles on his radio show about the same time.  Hey, there's nothing more "Christian" than peddling discredited conspiracy theories, right?

 

[T-Bone]

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.

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

Now that is the $65,000 question, isn't it...compromise has an ugly way of not looking to bad initially and time proves all things.  So why even go down that road?

 

[Anchor]

I probably wouldn't have as much of an issue with Romney (since he is a presidential candidate) if he were an anomaly.  But the anomaly would be a strong Gospel position in the commencement.

Now truly abominable was granting a platform to Glen Beck whose only credentials are as a relatively shrill conservative (borderline conspiracy theorist voice) that gives credibility to his idolatry, and to Ben Stein, whose practically agnostic Intelligent Design approach places the pagan "unknown god" of Athens fame on the same pedestal with the "only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." 

To quote Jerry Jr. in his interview with Beck: "...there are bigger issues now, we can argue about theology later after we save the country.

 

[bruinboy]

It is hard to argue with people who are ill-informed, or in the case of my good friend Anchor, close minded.  However, this may help: http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=55103.

Preceding graduation day will be the Baccalaureate service, Friday at 6 p.m. in the Vines Center. World-renowned evangelist Luis Palau will deliver the message for the event, which Liberty includes as part of its Commencement ceremonies, staying true to its Christian values.

Until the implementation of separation of church and state, Baccalaureate services were included in public school Commencement ceremonies. They now are no longer officially school-sponsored events at public schools.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Mathew Ward said:

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.

Is it your contention, then, that the reason they invited Mitt Romney to speak at Commencement is to give students an opportunity to witness to Romney?

As opposed to, say, their well-known and long-established tradition of all but equating Christianity with voting Republican - and, as frequently as not, overlooking the former if someone says the right talking points on the latter.

In the mid-90s, I knew a girl from my church who had gone to Liberty to study.  This was, of course, in the middle of the Clinton years.  The only thing I ever recall her sharing with us that she had learned at school, was the number of murders Bill Clinton was responsible for. Not coincidentally, Falwell was hawking The Clinton Chronicles on his radio show about the same time.  Hey, there's nothing more "Christian" than peddling discredited conspiracy theories, right?

I knew a man who had a calf with 5 legs, if we're sharing personal anecdotes.

Is it your contention that having commencement speakers that aren't Christians makes Liberty less than a Christian University? Is it your contention that a Christian College or University should only have speakers who are able to sign
"I agree" doctrinal statements?

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I probably wouldn't have as much of an issue with Romney (since he is a presidential candidate) if he were an anomaly.  But the anomaly would be a strong Gospel position in the commencement.

Now truly abominable was granting a platform to Glen Beck whose only credentials are as a relatively shrill conservative (borderline conspiracy theorist voice) that gives credibility to his idolatry, and to Ben Stein, whose practically agnostic Intelligent Design approach places the pagan "unknown god" of Athens fame on the same pedestal with the "only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." 

To quote Jerry Jr. in his interview with Beck: "...there are bigger issues now, we can argue about theology later after we save the country.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

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.

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.

I think the choice is a political choice. LU is hardly silent/shy on their political activism.
Frankly, when you see the compromising view of some young missional pastors on the issue of gays, someone needs to take some type stand on moral issues that are political issues.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Idolatry is idolatry, boys and girls, and God hates it!

He previuosly hated inter-racial marriage...at least on campus! 

 

[Anchor]

I'm not sure that there's that much difference in LU's choice of speakers and BJU having Bush, McCain, and the Chanticleers on campus. Unless you're simply talking about the "Commencement" as an event.

But, as I stated earlier, I think the powers that be at LU are completely comfortable with their practice and your criticism. I'm going up there tomorrow, Lord willing, and i'll be happy to share your criticism with Jonathan, if you'd like!

You know I love you, man, but you're wrong on this one.

 

[4everfsu]

I'm not sure that there's that much difference in LU's choice of speakers and BJU having Bush, McCain, and the Chanticleers on campus. Unless you're simply talking about the "Commencement" as an event.

But, as I stated earlier, I think the powers that be at LU are completely comfortable with their practice and your criticism. I'm going up there tomorrow, Lord willing, and i'll be happy to share your criticism with Jonathan, if you'd like!

You know I love you, man, but you're wrong on this one.

Wrong in whose eyes? Yours? I don't think TB will lose any sleep over it then.

 

[Anchor]

I'm not sure that there's that much difference in LU's choice of speakers and BJU having Bush, McCain, and the Chanticleers on campus. Unless you're simply talking about the "Commencement" as an event.

But, as I stated earlier, I think the powers that be at LU are completely comfortable with their practice and your criticism. I'm going up there tomorrow, Lord willing, and i'll be happy to share your criticism with Jonathan, if you'd like!

You know I love you, man, but you're wrong on this one.

Wrong in whose eyes? Yours? I don't think TB will lose any sleep over it then.

I fully expect TB to not lose sleep, roll his eyes  : and think "that boy will never larn nuttin", and then take me out for a nice lunch some day.  I may be wrong about his reaction, but according to you guys I'm wrong a lot, so maybe I'm just growing used to it. 

 

[Ransom]

Is it your contention that having commencement speakers that aren't Christians makes Liberty less than a Christian University?

No, they're a Christian university that could do better if they tried.

But hey, who cares if he's a pagan, as long as he's a Republican? It's the Liberty Way!

 

[T-Bone]

Is it your contention that having commencement speakers that aren't Christians makes Liberty less than a Christian University?

No, they're a Christian university that could do better if they tried.

But hey, who cares if he's a pagan, as long as he's a Republican? It's the Liberty Way!

My point exactly.

 

[ChuckBob]

The last thing that I want to hear at any graduation is a sermon. I just want the speaker to hurry up, shut up and sit down. I think that ypu will find that the vast majority of the graduates and parents feel the same way.

I also agree with the statement that, "We can argue theology after we save the country." If Romney's speech gained one more vote against Obama then it was worth it. I'm for letting Romney talk where ever and when ever he can get the chance. I don't care if the man's a druid if he can defeat Obama.


ChuckBob

 

[Ransom]

Yep! 'Cause that's what going to a Christian university is all about - defeating Democrats!

 

[Ransom]

Mathew Ward said:

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.

Notre Dame is regarded by many Catholic faithful as "Catholic in name only" - in part because of their questionable choice of commencement speakers (the radically pro-abortion Barack Obama being a case in point).  Be careful about making a favourable comparison between them and Liberty. You might end up proving too much.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Mathew Ward said:

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.

Notre Dame is regarded by many Catholic faithful as "Catholic in name only" - in part because of their questionable choice of commencement speakers (the radically pro-abortion Barack Obama being a case in point).  Be careful about making a favourable comparison between them and Liberty. You might end up proving too much.

Perhaps if LU had a pro abortion, pro gay marriage speaker at commencement, the comparison might be valid. Liberty is not ashamed of its political stance. The choice of commencement speaker this year was a political statement as much as anything else.

Now, I would choose differently, but I don't see their choice of speakers as somehow Biblical compromise. LU has always given different viewpoints a voice, including Ted Kennedy and Jesse Jackson.
The choice of Ben Stein frankly gave me more pause than Romney.....

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Yep! 'Cause that's what going to a Christian university is all about - defeating Democrats!

Your hyperbole aside, if the alumni and current student body agree with you, they can pull their support.
Perhaps you and Anchor can stop payment on your checks.... 

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I'm not sure that there's that much difference in LU's choice of speakers and BJU having Bush, McCain, and the Chanticleers on campus. Unless you're simply talking about the "Commencement" as an event.

But, as I stated earlier, I think the powers that be at LU are completely comfortable with their practice and your criticism. I'm going up there tomorrow, Lord willing, and i'll be happy to share your criticism with Jonathan, if you'd like!

You know I love you, man, but you're wrong on this one.

How can that be so, since I totally disagree with you and YOU'RE WRONG!