Posted on 01/03/2005 8:18:33 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Open or Closed Case? Controversial theologian John Sanders on way out at Huntington. By Stan Guthrie | posted 12/22/2004
While John Sanders and the Board of Trustees at Huntington College in Indiana disagree on whether God exhaustively knows the future, they agree that his days as a theology professor at the evangelical school are running out. The issue, according to both Sanders and G. Blair Dowden, the college's president, is not Sanders' belief in open theology, but his notoriety in advocating the doctrine. Both acknowledged that others on the faculty hold the same open theology views.
"You can be an open theist," Sanders told CT. "You just can't be a well-known one. That makes this a very interesting case."
After an executive session of the board was held in October, Dowden told members of the faculty that there "was very little support for John's continued employment at Huntington." Neither Sanders nor Dowden expect him back for the 2005-2006 academic year, which begins next fall. Dowden told ct that while the controversy is "directly related" to open theism, there is no requirement for professors on the issue.
"Not at all," Dowden said. "We have some other faculty who are open theists, but they're not teaching theology or Bible. It's not a litmus test."
Sanders, who has taught at the school of about 1,000 students for seven years, has been a focus of controversy over open theism for the past four years, he said. In November 2003, Sanders narrowly avoided being expelled from the Evangelical Theological Society over his beliefs. Some society members believe open theology violates the society's commitment to scriptural inerrancy.
Huntington removed Sanders from the tenure track over the controversy, but school officials attempted to give him some financial security by signing him to three-year rolling contracts, automatically renewable annually, unless the administration or board says No. In the event Sanders were to be dismissed, he would receive payment for the balance of the contract.
Sanders told ct he expects to be relieved of his position shortly, and that Dowden has "made it clear that my contract will not be renewed after the 2004-5 academic year." Sanders said that he is looking into other teaching positions and research grants, but that he has no other options waiting in the wings right now.
Earlier reports in ct and the Chronicle of Higher Education that Sanders had been "fired" were inaccurate. Dowden, who called Sanders a "brilliant scholar" and "excellent teacher," has been a defender of Sanders.
"John has done everything we have asked of him," Dowden said. But Dowden said that the United Brethren in Christ, which sponsors the school, "finds open theism troubling—some [leaders find it] very troubling."
Dowden added that academic freedom, while important, is not absolute. "For all Christian colleges, academic freedom is bounded in some way."
Sanders said the school is not following its own guidelines. "I do believe that the right to publish and academic freedom statements that the professors actually are working under are being violated," Sanders said. "They are being trodden upon."
Some students at the school are upset. Joni Michaud, a senior history major who is a leader in a student group supporting Sanders, said the controversy is "a case study in academic freedom." The group meets weekly to discuss strategy, has sent letters supporting Sanders to the board, and is seeking to raise awareness among other students. Michaud said the treatment of Sanders violates the school's statements lauding the "benefits of controversy" in an academic setting.
"If Dr. Sanders is indeed fired, I will graduate with a much lowered opinion of the institution," said Michaud, a pre-law major. "I will probably not make any financial contribution, and I will discourage people from attending."
Such talk is no doubt troubling to administrators, who have announced a freeze in tuition rates for the 2005-2006 academic year. Huntington College, to be renamed Huntington University in mid-2005, says the annual U.S.News & World Report survey of colleges consistently ranks it as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the Midwest.
Dowden said the board will next meet January 19-23, and the fate of Sanders could be formally decided then.
[Stan Guthrie is senior associate news editor for Christianity Today]
Actual (non Neo)Calvinists deny the possibility of anything like free will because it reduces the power of God which is total. Now don't tar me with this view- I am no Clavinist. My sister-in-law is an OP Presbyterian and I discuss this from time to time with her preacher. The discussions are amicable and we both see them as sharpening our own respective reasoning.
That's what Dr. Eckleburg said, so I asked about it.
Yeah--we disagree about several things.
I think you have no idea what you just started. :>)
Isn't my knowledge of other men's fruits, subjective? Besides, what does that really mean?
Can you just answer this: the "accepting" that determines whether a man goes to Heaven or Hell -- where does that come from? From himself, or from God?
Dan
"Honor never grows old..."
Why just quote part of what I said?
I am Catholic. My understanding of Free Will is likely quite different from yours but my understanding of "Open Theism" leads me to believe it to be rank heresy.
What then, is an absolute?
LOL. I took a deep breath and kept reading. 8~)
Is that subjective?
LOL! Nope, it's a fact. Dr. E and I have quite often disagreed.
Which one of you is correct?
I agree. That's why I think there are places in the Bible where the Bible must be incorrect because God is said to change his mind or be surprised. Either God must not be omniscient or the Bible must be wrong.
"What an excellent article. Spot on. After a year and a half of looking through a number of documents I have come to this same conclusion. I wished it had been posted earlier and saved me the trouble. ;O)" ~ HarleyD
I think I did post it a couple of years or more ago. It takes quite a bit of humility (teachability - like a little child) to give up the temptation to want to be "God".
I don't follow ANY gurus, but two of my favorite Bible teachers are John G. Reisinger whose web site is here:
http://www.soundofgrace.com
And Dr. Steve Brown whose web site is here:
http://www.keylife.org
The more legalistic (spiritually immature) one is, the more he will despise the teachings of both of these men.
Have fun! :)
Our knowledge of the scripture (or any topic) may be the same (or close enough), but our interpretation (belief) in how it should be read are different.
It's belief that is subjective. The facts themselves (knowledge) are quite objective.
Yep. And it's based on your opinions and experiences alone, as you've stated.
The Reformed Christian believes that his knowledge, his fruits, his salvation, his every breath, are all based on God's will alone. We objectively and subjectively believe this because the Holy Spirit guides us and comforts us and assures us that God's will is subjective to nothing but Himself.
Them's the cards. Deal with it.
Because you stated an absolute: "I do not know".
Don't you realize that it is immaterial to the issue of absolutes what it is that you say you "don't know"?
Don't question me further if you don't comprehend that concept. Keep thinking about it until you get it.
Roman Catholics and Reformed Protestants often agree about the totality of Original Sin and the absurdity of "open theism." I guess we just disagree over how salvation is accomplished by God.
I'm always happy to recall one of Mel Gibson's "Passion" interviews last year. He was asked if God created and controls everything.
His answer: "Yes, God created and controls everything. Me, my children, cars, the weather...everything."
Spoken like a Calvinist. 8~)
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