Letter to a Christian
University |
The Catholicist
Nation |
August 9, 2016
Dr. [PRESIDENT]
Office of the President
[MAINLINE EVANGELICAL UNIVERSITY]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY STATE ZIP]
Dear Dr. [PRESIDENT],
[PERSONAL NOTE] I have been aware of the great
aggravation caused by [IDENTIFIED LEGISLATION], and I have
acquainted myself with [UNIVERSITY]’s response. I am certain it is
similar to the concerns of every Christian university in
[STATE].
This afternoon after speaking with a
[UNIVERSITY] instructor – a friend of ours – and hearing from her
about the struggles faith-based universities face over this issue, I
would like to humbly offer an option. Would you, your board, and
other eminent stakeholders genuinely consider doing the one thing
that would resolve it completely?
Would you consider divesting the university
from the government completely? I have always wondered why
institutions of higher learning led by followers of Christ feel they
must be obligated to Caesar in any way. As much as
[UNIVERSITY] or
any university declaring full abandonment to Christ is non-profit,
tax-exempt, incorporated, licensed by the state in any way, it is
betraying its commitment to Him in some measure. As much as it
expects to receive tax benefits, grants, subsidies, or rely on
government largesse for a portion of its student enrollment, it is
making itself beholden to the laws and by-laws of the state, and
currently it finds itself facing compliance with the distressing
requirements of [LEGISLATION].
If [UNIVERSITY] was
not obligated to the state in any way, however, then the problem
disappears. [UNIVERSITY] is already fully protected by the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. As much as
[UNIVERSITY] is
obedient to Christ and fulfilling the Great Commission, then Caesar
will commend it as God says he will in the 13th chapter
of Romans. If [UNIVERSITY] personnel, whether teachers,
administrators, or students break the law, the state is already
obligated to prosecute said individuals, and justly so. Most
importantly, God has already blessed [UNIVERSITY] with His divine
provision, protection, and growth.
On the other hand, what more does a contract
with the state provide the chemistry professor, the engineering
professor, the literature professor whose instruction is woven with
the gospel? What more expertise and ministry capability does a
contract with the state of any kind, for any purpose, for any
benefits add to what God should already be doing at
[UNIVERSITY] in
great abundance?
I understand that there is the consideration
that this is a radical step. I understand that lawyers and finance
officers will argue against it. But in its simplest form
[UNIVERSITY] is already considered tax-free by the state, no
documentation required. As long as all stakeholders do genuinely
have Jesus’ name on their lips, there is no reason to have to try to
clear things with Caesar. It is perfectly reasonable for
[UNIVERSITY] to have its own board
with its own accountability protocol – if these are not sufficient,
then what improprieties is [UNIVERSITY] committing that require state intervention?
This is not a call
to protest, challenge, provoke or question the duly ordained
authorities. This is not an enraged request for anyone to willfully
deny their lawful obligations regarding their tax liability.
This is not a request for us to
refuse to respect government officials, pray for them, even minister
to them – our Lord unequivocally expects us to do so. It is,
however, a call to leave them be to do what they are given the duty
to do, and that includes pass things like [LEGISLATION].
This is why I believe – with the deepest
respect – it is misguided for followers of Christ to try to convince
legislators to reject the bill, for it is the church pleading with
the state about what the state is legitimately doing. As it is,
Christian university lawyers are striving mightily for
accommodations so the schools are exempt from this or that part of
the law. That God’s people have to beg the state for some kind of
qualified submissiveness for anything related to
[LEGISLATION] is
extraordinarily embarrassing, and in my view so disrespectful to
God.
In this instance, as dramatic a move as it
would be, the church embodied in [UNIVERSITY] should be confidently
abjuring itself from the state for the expressed purpose of boldly
living out its true creed. If it does so and
[UNIVERSITY] is
beholden only to Christ and His law of love, again, the state cannot
do a thing to enforce anything in [LEGISLATION] because it wouldn’t
apply to [UNIVERSITY].
[PERSONAL NOTE] I still wonder, if so many can’t afford
to go to [UNIVERSITY] because of financial concerns, where is all
the money that isn’t earmarked by government? Are there simply not
enough scholarship contributors to sustain
[UNIVERSITY] and its
mission?
Why can’t all the money required to send out
the next generation from [UNIVERSITY] come exclusively from
bountifully sowing followers of Christ? Isn’t the money Caesar
presently distributes already confiscated from the wealth of someone
from which it has been expropriated? Is it really true
[UNIVERSITY]
needs Caesar to survive, or is it at all possible the middle man may
be laid off? Maybe it is too optimistic for Christ followers to
process all the financial appropriations without having to go
through the state. Maybe we’ve been doing it this way for so long
we’ve just gotten used to it, too calcified to think it could be
different placing ourselves wholly under God’s provision.
Yet here is [LEGISLATION].
I do consider this opportunity a wake-up
call for the church and all the institutions supporting it,
including our fine Christian universities. If
[UNIVERSITY] were to
take such an action, I can easily see the very best that could
happen is a clear clarion call to the faithful coming from one of
the largest Christian universities in [STATE], other universities
heeding the call, and millions of followers of Christ standing on
principle and getting busy with a remarkable expansion of the
Kingdom. Already we are about ministering God’s grace, mercy, and
healing for the sexually wounded and confused, and at the same time
giving the highest regard for sexual morality. That means something.
But as I read and hear about the great consternation felt by those
in Christian leadership positions over this issue, I am truly
saddened. It appears we have lost our virility, our courage, our
wisdom, our willingness to go to the cross with Christ.
Please know that I am perfectly aware that
this recommendation may easily be dismissed out of hand, its author
considered the most naïve person on the planet. I’ve had worse. But
I am also hopeful that perhaps, just perhaps the church will start
doing the apocalyptic things that demonstrate to lost and dying
people that we do actually mean what we say, that we actually love
those who need Him so much, that we actually do trust in Christ for
all things including the flourishing of a university that builds
godly men and women even without a cent coming from Caesar.
Above all I do encourage you to continue to
pray with your closest colleagues in the Lord, and would humbly ask
that you include this consideration in your prayers.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
David Beck
[ADDRESS]
[CITY STATE ZIP]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]
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Why Scripture?
Some of the Ways
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Note:
The issue at stake is a state law that
requires Christian universities to do things that would signify a substantive abandonment
of firm Scriptural principles. Key features of that legislation would require
these universities to accommodate the immoral practices of those who
favor the LGBTQ+ social arrangement agenda. Among several, one example is more ready
processing of court challenges to requirements to attend chapel in
which censure of sodomous activity may be shared.
This page was originally posted by David Beck at
yourownjesus.net on August 10,
2016
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