Comment on Presbyterian church fires board members by Steve Billiter.
If a person really wants true academic freedom, that person should start his/her own school. Otherwise, there really is no such thing… not even in public universities. Sean Pittman
Not so. At least for now. I attend a public college, soon to transfer to UNR in Reno NV, I’m now in my 4th semester.
Since the beginning I have written in class discussion posts, spoken up in class discussions, applying Bible principles to the topics raised, and I continue to do so. Despite professors “ordering me to cease and desist” not one has been able to stop me, nor has one been able to force me to rewrite a post or research paper.
Once in a Sociology 101 class discussion on homosexuality, a student began to describe in graphic detail the activities at a party of two persons of the same sex. I walked out in protest and went straight to the deans office and then to the dean of student services.
I was told academic freedom allowed the student to express his story and “feelings.”
Then upon reading the schools code of conduct clause, it stated speech must not exceed the bounds of what is considered in society to be normal good taste. So given the overall state of wickedness in society today, there was nothing more I could say.
However, this same professor claimed to be a Christian minister, yet in our private discussion he complained that over 90% of the students disliked my Bible commentary, which was actually sparsely given, and demanded I stop. My reply was simply, no. I really believed that statement from him was a not true, as most students being just out of high school, were too shy to speak up and even state an opinion.
That professor was let go after the semester, but he was also blind claiming to know the text material through audio CD’s, which obviously he did not.
We still have freedom of speech in America, fortunately, but if that speech is slanderous, then the law provides no protection. Inflammatory speech to incite riots is of course a crime.
My first writing assignment In Humanities 101 was to imagine myself a caveman 16 thousand years ago; and what is my world view.
So my opening lines were “6000 thousand years ago as I was worshiping the true God, who created heaven and earth, the fountains of waters, etc., with the descendants of Adam….”
I loaded that post up with plenty of Bible quotes as you can imagine.
The professor, who is also a fantasy fiction writer, demanded I rewrite the piece without mentioning the Bible. I said no. I quoted him the schools academic freedom of speech policy and showed him how I was on topic according to his directions. So he backed off and I received an A.
So contrary to Sean’s comment here, we do have academic freedom of expression. The difficulties in starting ones own school are insurmountable for most students.
However, since LSU is a 7th day Adventist facility, there may be freedom of speech, but there should be no license to teach what is contrary to the 28 fundamentals.
Table of Contents
Recent Comments by Steve Billiter
Biblical Interpretation and Credibility
Professor Kent: You have listed five supernatural events (virgin birth, resurrection of dead, future life in heaven, Noachian flood, and recent fiat creation of life) that cannot be validated empirically.
@Professor Kent,
There is scientific evidence for the flood, although not for Christs’ Resurrection, or His resurrection of Lazarus, etc. The remains of fossilized fish have been found buried at the tops of the highest mountains on earth–which by far precludes fairly recent climbing expeditions eating the fish, and burying the remains which would leave no time for fossilization. Please see Dr. Vieth’s Lecture # 102, http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/9/Science/ And I quote from the site:
“Science today denies a universal flood, as it would destroy the continuity of the fossil record in the geological column. In this video, evidence for precisely such a universal phenomenon is presented with fascinating video material from modern day catastrophes on a smaller scale.”
Moreover, we need not make Bible study so convoluted by presenting this or that theory which has no bearing on truth, or that just muddies the waters on how we are to understand the Bible. God has granted to each person a measure of faith, and we know that without faith it is impossible to please Him. How do we increase our faith? It is not wholly by considering the scientific evidence or the lack thereof:
Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So it is by diligent Bible study that our faith increases. We come to God humbly asking Him for understanding–after all, He gave the Word. It is that longing after righteousness and the doing of His will that reveals truth to us:
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
By and large, a secular/scientific education even at some Adventist colleges tends to undermine true faith in the Bible. I know from my own experience as a junior now at the University of Nevada, Reno–that if my own Bible knowledge and faith had not been so strong, then academia would have naturally destroyed what little faith I might have had under different circumstances. Many times I have questioned my present course as to its wisdom (Social Work) but its far to late to turn back. Every semester I deal with un-Biblical teachings in my classes. I’ve seen how Satan has moved on faculty and admn. who know not Jesus to attack me in different ways assaulting my character.
That aside, how can we presume to teach anyone how to understand the Bible without presenting a single Bible/EGW text as support in a comprehensive manner? Is this a denial of the Master? I believe so.
Mat_10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We don’t need to guess–we don’t need to present speculations and theories, Christ tells us in John 7:17 (and elsewhere) precisely how we are to understand His Word.
God gives light to guide those who honestly desire light and truth; but it is not His purpose to remove all cause for questioning and doubt. He gives sufficient evidence to found faith upon, and then requires men to accept that evidence and exercise faith. {5T 303.1}
He who will study the Bible with a humble and teachable spirit will find it a sure guide, pointing out the way of life with unfailing accuracy. But what does your study of the Bible avail, brethren and sisters, unless you practice the truths it teaches? That holy book contains nothing that is nonessential; nothing is revealed that has not a bearing upon our actual lives. The deeper our love for Jesus, the more highly we shall regard that word as the voice of God directly to us. {5T 303.2}
The Heroic Crusade Redux
As a fledging writer myself still at the University of Nevada Reno, I highly object to the style of writing that Dr. Kime exhibits. While we note he is obviously highly educated and very intelligent to boot, this article reeks of me, me, me, look what I can do, see how clever I can write and spin these matters with my crafty words. I simply prefer a straightforward, no-nonsense style that presents my thesis or argument logically and systematically, while attempting to abide by the rules of good expository writing. Furthermore, his information is not correct concerning the scientific community. [edit]
Many other scientists such as Dr. Walter Vieth (http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/9/Science/) lectures on the flaws found in evolution, and on the scientific evidence for creation. The carbon-14 dating system has long been known by many scientists to be flawed—it is based on assumptions. Indeed, considering the scientific evidence, and the Bible evidence, for which a serious study of prophecy proves the Bible true—creationists have the luxury of solid, irrefutable evidence proving creation, while evolutionists must exist on blind faith, assumptions, and lies.
The crux of the matter is this: evolutionists have virtual control of America’s public school system aside from Christian Bible–based schools, and because they have rejected the claims of the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, found in Holy Writ–to simply come to Jesus and have eternal life—they have therefore rejected the entire Bible including the Genesis account. Because they have rejected the truth that will save them, God has given them over to the delusions they love (2Thess. 2:9-11). Through it all, evolutionary scientists have attempted the impossible, which is to apply the human measuring system to understand God’s creation—an impossibility. Sadly, the evolutionary scientific community will continue to suffer the results of misconceptions, false science, assumptions, blind faith, and quite simply, the most abject lies.
Job 11:7 Can you by searching find out God? Can you find out the Almighty to perfection?
Job 11:8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know?
Job 11:9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
LSU, Pacific Union Conference and North American Division Sued
Are not all professors, faculty and admn. staff SDA church members? I suppose anyone who teaches any form of evolution has no qualms concerning violating some other “selected” Bible concepts that they don’t accept. Once again, the church takes it on the chin;
1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
1Co 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
1Co 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
1Co 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
1Co 6:8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
My Goal for La Sierra University
“Bradley says he won’t undercut decades of peer reviewed scientific research in the interest of religious consistency.”
“I am not OK with getting up in a science course and saying most science is [b_s_],†he said.
Good article Sean. What I’m hearing from Dr. Bradley is that if given the chance, he will continue to teach the peer-reviewed “false science” as if it were true; and I’m sure he thinks it is true.
No one with Bradley’s beliefs should ever darken the door of a fully tenured (or otherwise) professorial study, much less receive a paycheck from the 7th Day Adventist Church for essentially teaching errors in origins.
Although it is true that Christ died for all of the worlds inhabitants, each person must decide whether he/she will have the Lord reign over the life or not. It was Christ Himself that laid down the foundations of the worlds, creating the earth and all that is in it in 6 literal days, and He rested the 7th. Nothing could be plainer than Genesis 1 and 2.
My suggestion for prof Bradley is to find himself a secular university to teach at–mine will do fine. However, I avoid all such classes and all my science is finished! Evolutionists are well aware of my position when I’ve been in their class.
LA SIERRA: Four resign after recording emerges
Ron Stone M.D.:
@Steve Billiter, Campolo (along with his wife) is also one of the most vocal “gay marriage†and “gay is A-OK†proponents in America.
Ron, I guess that Tony just names his poison that he likes. What does he say about gay’s who do contemplative prayer? Is he trapped?
