Comment on La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief by D. Fender.
Isn’t it time for Wisby to go for failure to lead, failure to admit that LSU did wrong without a ton of external pressure, failure to make the changes that were needed without being forced to, failure to protect student’s academic freedom, failure to proactively support the church’s beliefs?
Are we naive? Do we think that this problem is really solved? This is the tip of the iceberg! Do we think that Gary Bradley and Lee Greer have suddenly had an epiphany and are going to fall in line behind this decision?
What about the religion department? Are they not to blame for much of this problem and maybe even more so than the biology department? Shouldn’t they have been the first to send up the red flag that something was wrong in what was being taught to our students? They are just as guilty, or more guilty for what is happening here than the biology department. Let’s not forget that the FB on creation and origins is not the only areas where our professors are off base. What about the recent push from religion professors at LSU (and LLU for that matter) and Christy Oberg at LSU University Church to push for homosexual marriage in California? Our FB says we believe in marriage between one man and one woman.
What about our FB on the Investigative Judgement? I would predict that we would find very few at LSU that support that FB. LSU’s smorgasbord Adventism where one can pick and choose which belief you like and which one you don’t like stinks. It is time for ACCOUNTABILITY. We need a bunch of new faculty and administrators at LSU and start over with a clean slate. Let the ones that don’t agree with our beliefs move on to the local community college or university where their beliefs will be more in line with with is being taught there.
And Ricardo Graham needs to go too. He typifies SDA politics as usual. Gloss things over or sweep things under the rug. He should have been the first SDA administrator to do something definitive to fix this problem. This should have not had to go all the way to the GC. It should have stopped with the Pacific Union Conference.
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D. Fender Also Commented
La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
Dr Stone,
The progressives and liberals are unrelenting and persistent in trying to destroy the SDA church. You are right, LSU is not going to come around and start to do what is right just because of this story. People do not so easily change their opinions. They will only get more secretive about how they teach their error.
La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
Prof. Kent, Christians are members of society equal to non-Christians. We all have an equal vote for what we want society to be. We all have a different perception of what the societal outcome should be. Satan and his loyal citizens are doing a great job of trying to force all forms of immorality down my and my families throats. There is nothing wrong with me voting for what I think causes society to be the best and most moral.
La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
Professor Kent,
If those that believe that evolution is the explanation to our origins and the earth is millions of years old end up leaving the church, it won’t be because they believed in in all of the church’s fundamental beliefs but one.
I have worked with those that call themselves “progressive” SDA’s and they not only don’t believe our FB on origins, they don’t believe many more (possibly most) of our FB’s. They call themselves SDA, but behave fundamentally different than the vast majority of those who are loyal and follow our beliefs. The Sabbath is not respected whatsoever. Personal business is conducted and church is skipped. They drink alcohol and eat every form of creature that ever lived, with no regard for our health message. They promote homosexuality and gay marriage believing that society today is more enlightened than our ignorant forefathers. They are SDA in name only, or maybe only because they grew up in an SDA family. They are cultural Adventists, if there is even such a thing.
So back to your original premise, will the tug-o-war between WASC and AAA cause them to leave? NO. They were on their way out for a long time. We did not push them out, they disbelieved, and doubted, and formed beliefs and attitudes that caused them to leave.
Recent Comments by D. Fender
An apology to PUC
Shane, it takes a big man to stand up publicly and own that he made an error. Especially as public as this has become. Congratulations Shane for showing us what an honorable man you are!
I call those at La Sierra (and all of our other Colleges and Universities for that matter)- all those professors who have deceived the members of the church, those who pay their salaries, to do the same. It is time for the biology and religion professors to apologize to the church publicly for teaching contrary to our church’s beliefs. You can all point your fingers at Shane, but are you big enough to stand up and do as he did.
It is preposterous to say that church members don’t have a right to know what is being taught in our schools and that we should have to register for the class to get that information. ARE YOU NUTS! We ARE the parents, the grandparents, the ones who pay to keep these schools afloat financially. We give our offerings and tithes, and pay the tuition. THE SECRET NATURE THAT YOU USE TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE DOING CONVICTS YOU. If you are doing nothing wrong, then there is no reason that all of your materials cannot see the light of day and prove that you are the honorable people that you claim to be.
For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists
@Eddie: and EMK
I hear you both very well. Don’t think that I am a spectator just sitting on the sideline, because I am not. I have been in Adventist higher education for nearly two decades.
I don’t believe this problem is fixable. The generation that gives tithes and offerings faithfully is dying off. The younger generation that is less dedicated to the church, both financially and relationally, is poised to take over.
Besides, political correctness is now the god of the nation and is quickly making in roads into the SDA church. Very few people today are ready to do what is right, because it is right, and let the chips fall where they may. Until we have people of faith who follow truth and do what is right because it is right, we will continue to flounder.
For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists
Eddie, do you suppose that those loyal professors that are teaching solid SDA doctrine, but remaining quiet on error being taught at their schools are exempt from saying something or standing up for the truth? It must be quite troubling to want to be loyal but be worried about standing up against error for fear of losing one’s job. We sure live in troubled times.
For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist has much to be proud of in the sick, sinful world! We have a great set of Biblical beliefs and a great philosophy of wholistic living.
I once heard a funny spin on our church. Someone said “the SDA church is a school system masquerading as a church.” Education is a life long process for all if us. Thank goodness we had the council to build and run our schools as we do.
For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists
Johnny, there is no solution to this problem short of a divine solution. After having worked in Adventist higher education for a long time, Eddie has it right. Our schools pay peanuts and expect people to want to make a career on that kind of income. If you pair that with graduates who just want to finish so the can buy their BMW and having a horrendous amount of school loan debt, the pool of qualified people is very small to non-existent. So it is easy for church members to complain about what kind of product they are getting at our schools, but the proverbial one finger pointing at the university and professors, leaves the other fingers pointing right back at them!
Unfortunately, the progressive ultra-liberal professors at our colleges and universities have one purpose in mind, to capture the minds of our young people. It only takes one generation to make the SDA church believe that we evolved, that homosexuality is OK, that our doctrines are flawed, and that we are no different than any other Christian church. We are almost there!
