Pillsbury Baptist Bible College

Hi Rhet. I hope you're doing well.

My take is that Pillsbury lost its constituency. This process began back when Myron Cedarholm (bless his memory) took his marbles and left the Pillsbury constituency to go start Maranatha Baptist Bible College in 1968. (I don't know the inside story, or at least I don't remember.) Then Jack Hyles started Hyles Anderson College in 1972 (Jack Schaap transferred there from Pillsbury) and Northland Baptist Bible College was founded in 1976. All three of these schools took students from Pillsbury, and the school never really recovered.

A school simply must work to keep its constituency, to keep contact with its alumni. The failure to do so will finish off the future. One example of this failure is my alma mater, Tennessee Temple, a great school in its day. However, my grad school, Maranatha, has worked hard to keep its alumni as supporters, and is still growing.

Side note: I disagree with Dr. Bauder in his article that historic Fundamentalism is dying. My mission board is in the same line of Fundamentalism as Dr. Bauder (our director has his D. Min. from Central), and we've been growing steadily for years.

 

They ran out of "dough"....

&

Their new dean was caught in a scandalous photo...

 

Sounds to me like money problems. There are more than a few private schools that are struggling to keep their heads above the water during these "tough economic times". Even state schools, such as community colleges, that normally do good during economic down turns are feeling the pinch. The North Carolina Community College system has had a 3% budget cut for the 08-09 year. However they have just approved a budget increase for the 09-10 year.

 

I was disappointed when I first heard this news because Pillsbury has such a rich heritage. But I understand as to why the decision was made to close.

As to Dr. Bauder. I agree with much of what he said, especially that God doesn´t need fundamentalism. I call myself a fundamentalist, but sometimes we begin to think that God can´t fulfill His purposes without us. -Twisted, man-centered thinking indeed.

I also like what he says about fundamentalism being an idea and not a movement. I do not know for sure because I did not live years ago when fundamentalism was fresh and new, but I think that those early fundamentalists had this in mind as opposed to a movement, or "institutional fundamentalism".

Anyhow. I hope the students, especially the seniors are able to transfer their credits without any problem.

 

I agree with John that Dr. Bauder is wrong. Dr. Bauder is apparently basing his conclusion on one segment of Fundamentalism within the bounds of his constituency. In other areas, especially Third World countries, Fundamentalism is growing largely due to its intensive missionary efforts. Fundamentalism may be declining in some traditional circles but it is booming in other unexpected places. Where Fundamentalism is declining, it is, I think, because they are still fighting the old battles (i.e. Liberalism, Modernism, etc.) and have failed to address the new issues (i.e. postmodernism, materialism, etc.). Also, some Fundamentalists have lost their evangelist zeal and replaced it with fighting over diminishing pieces of pie. Part of the evangelistic zeal has been converted into political activism. Some of the older Fundamentalist groups are focusing on a sterile academic approach as opposed to intensive evangelism of the past. The lack of dynamic and wise leadership is another factor. Someone may have summed up the history of Fundamentalism in the words: "A man, a movement, a momument." There are, of course, other issues and factors but the conclusion that Fundamentalism is declining is at best an oversimplification of the frustrated few.

 

Well said, Paid. Any evaluation that fails to take into consideration the Fundamental Baptist missions movement will be inaccurate. As you say, in Third World countries there has been a great Fundamentalist effort. Here in Japan, I can prove from the JEMA (Japan Evangelical Missionary Association)Directory that the Fundamentalist missionary force has gradually been increasing ever since we came to Japan. Eastern Europe became a target after the Berlin Wall went down, and many, many Fundamentalist missionaries went there to plant churches. Pillsbury is an unfortunate casualty, but not an indicator of the national or international status of the movement.

 

Director of BWM

Dear Brother John:

A correction please. B.A. from Pillsbury, M.Div. from Central, but my D.Min. is from BJU.

I have my thoughts on Pillsbury's demise. Bob Crane is a hero for what he tried to do. I will hold my peace on the general situation. Your observation about loss of constituency is on target, and a part of the problem.

It has been too long since we have got to spend any time together.



Your friend,

Fred Moritz

 

Hi, Dr. Moritz.

Sorry about that! I should have checked the back of one of your books instead of going by memory!

We really have to slurp ramen together again sometime! We have great memories of your visits over here. Alas, our next furlough isn't planned until 2011.

God bless.

Your friend,

John

 

I haven't heard anything further about the Pillsbury library. But if Liberty decides it is attractive then I have a feeling they will land it.

Bob - Thanks for the shout out for Randy. We're related.