Best Seminary in the world....

Nord,

I was reared in a Bob Jones/IFB culture. Although, my church was an SBC churh "in name only." I was a bus pastor, driver, "soul-winner," and stuff. I have attended the Bus Conferences--the whole smeel. So, I know some of the pathos and ethos of the movement.

Because of some of the talk on these threads I went to FBC Hammond's web page and listened to parts of Jach Hyles' sermons again. That old fundy part of me rared up again. I felt torn on the one side and liberated on the other hand. It is truly hard "to get the country out of the boy" as it were.

I know what they (the fundies) do & say has some a seed of truth, I know they have a real zeal; but I thought we came out of the "pope" culture long ago in our Baptist history. Don't get me wrong, I think there is even a place and need for what they do. I just don't think it includes me as I have grown. We have grown apart, I have not grown better than them. I have only grown differently from them.

I have said all that to say this: Bob Jones grads are some of the most excellent you will ever find in any field of service. Musically, exegetically, expositionally, devotionally, intellectually, missionally, evangelistically, etc., et al; they ate the cream of the crop!!!!! But their inbreeding on the grad school & seminary levels is way beyond anything that produces good academics. I am certain this is bacause they fear to "open Pandora;s Box" as it were.

The last time I looked at their seminary catalogue I don't remember finding one prof who had a terminal degree from an outside Univ or grad school. Your point is well taken; they go other places and always do the very best while there. Some of you with better insight than mine help me here??? Are they still so afraid of "outside learning" that they discourage "academic freedom.?!" I think I know the answer. If the fundamental movement has not grown any more than that I am afraid that it it destined to failure AS the leaders of the past pass away.

There is quit a connundrum here is there not? On the one hand they struggle to maintain an outdated identity of the Old Southern past. On the other hand, they know intellectually and academically that they need to reshape and resound Fundamentalism for the challenges of the 21st Century.

Let me hear what all of you have to say!

sdg!

rd

 

Once again I am sorry for the typos.

rd

 

Broadus,

I am in no way charging BJU with "the South's gonna' rise again!" Having said that however, there is that old South Carolina ethos and pathos still around; i.e., "the Strom Thurman ideology" if you will. It is my considered opinion that it is still at BJU on some basic level.

My experience with BJU is that they are helpful to other cultures in social ministries and such, but seem to have (from my perspective) a somewhat paternal, condescending, and patronizing attitude toward the same groups they evangelize. This is only one perspective having had some 40 years of influence on me from a pastor and his family who baptized me, married me, disciplied me, & ordained me. My logic may be flawed. I am open for correction and new revelation or information. But, this is my critique for this point in time.

I think that the observations of the other threads concerning BJU's admin. & history might bear this out.

But, let us not get lost in the theme of this thread. I still maintain that they are some of the most excellent professionals in any field they represent. I went to their web page and did some fresh research this morning after my post. There is not one prof there who has a terminal degree from another outside institution. I would, however, like to dialogue with some of their scholars. I would love to hear a paper at a professional conference. I would like to read a dissertaton(s) maybe only in a cursory way. It is my opinion that they would be "world class!"

DO NOT BE CONFUSED!!!! I AM ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST FANS!!! What I offer I offer as an academic critique NOT a CRITICISM MEANT WITH A CRITICAL SPIRIT!!

With the admin change going to someone outside the family, they may want the Bible/Theology/Grad School Faculty "carrying the torch" way into the next century. I am, however, surprised that the "torch" as it were is passing to someone outside the dynasty. I would have thought that a "no-no!"

I hope this helps to "stir the pot" and explain my thoughts above!

sdg!

rd

 

Broadus,

Is Stephen Jones a son-n-law or some such? I skimmed the previous thread(s). I may have missed the gist of the issue. Is he family? If so, I stand corrected on that issue. Always open to rebuttal, correction, or new info.

What about the rest that I have declared?!

sdg!

rd