catapult magazine

Thanks, Matthew. Is there a place we can find Nick’s words? I’d love to read them.

I live in the Pittsburgh area, and a columnist for the “Pittsburgh Post-Gazette” newspaper is a Calvin grad. His columns are always worth a read. Check out his column today on the subject of Bush’s visit at: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/05140/507680.stm

Here’s another article from the [i:8e8f3e4be6]Washington Times[/i:8e8f3e4be6]:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050516-103313-9190r.htm

I’ve been fascinated with how this is all playing out in the local media. When it was first announced, Will Katerberg was interviewed by one of the local news outlets and started the alternative voice. Now there are advertisements signed by faculty. Randall Jelks and another professor were on Hannity and Colmes on Fox News. Hannity comes off as a jerk in the transcript.

I am just wondering what all this looks like to an outsider. The letter that is published by the 1/3 of the faculty has many excellent points and I understand what is behind the letter. However, how would a non-Christian view this, as just another reason not to be a Christian because even Christians cannot agree? Even to other evangelicals, I wonder if Calvin just looks “liberal”. I am not sure that taking the disagreements public in such a simplistic form as a letter in a newspaper is the best route to spark debate. I understand where the alternative voices are coming from and why they are doing what they are doing but it just strikes me as a bit out of place. While I disagree with Bush on many issues, I do commend him as a Christian who takes his faith seriously, even if it leads to radically different views on issues I just wish Christians would be more careful with how their disagreements are being heard on the outside.

It reminds me of a billboard at our local Christian high school which is very near an entrance to the local university. It says “Advancing God’s Kingdom.” While I know what the intent is, I think about all my non-Christian acquaintances and wonder what they read when they see it.

I think some more serious thought should go into how “insiders” shape their message for “outsiders.” I think the Calvin example is just another of how we can be right (in purpose and in trying to be faithful to scripture) but get the message so wrong.

The reason why this is a news story at all in the broader media is precisely [i:2c89a4fa7f]because[/i:2c89a4fa7f] of the internal opposition at the college. Many outsiders group evangelical Christians together in a big pro-business, anti-environment, pro-war, anti-abortion, pro-tax-cuts, anti-Muslim grabbag. So when you read a story about a Christian college where lots of people disagree with Bush because of their evanglical Christian beliefs, it makes for an intriguing story. I hardly think it reflects poorly on Calvin.

christianity today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/120/53.0.html

Carpenter said the earliest concern about Bush’s visit regarded disrupting the religious and communal nature of Calvin’s commencement. But he said the White House has allayed such concerns by asking detailed questions about the college and seeking input for the speech. “Our format this year will be just the same as last year,” Carpenter explained. “It will be a religious service, and the White House has been very respectful of the character of the event.”

Bush’s visit has added new fuel to the already raging debates at Calvin over the relationship of Reformed Christianity to contemporary American politics and even evangelicalism. Carpenter said the Christian Reformed Church, Calvin’s denomination, has remained loyal to the politics of Abraham Kuyper, who served as Dutch prime minister from 1901 to 1905. Kuyper created the first Christian Democratic party, which shares much in common with Roman Catholic political teaching in its commitment to peacemaking and alleviating poverty.

Calvin College remains devoted to doctrinal orthodoxy, and most faculty oppose abortion and gay marriage. But significant historical and theological factors at Calvin cut against the grain of popular evangelicalism. In particular, the high-church tradition of the Christian Reformed Church looks skeptically on revivalism and independent congregationalism. “This community, in regard to evangelicals,” Carpenter said, “has always been ’Yes, but ? ’”

Here’s the text of his speech.

I haven’t read it in depth myself yet.

i read the above posts with interest.

A few thots; Christians are routinely packaged by many “mainstream” media outlets into a kind of “one size fits all”.

Thus[b:60582d2455], some in mainsream media are surprised that not all Christians think in exactly the same way. [/b:60582d2455]This, of course, reflects incredible lack of scholarship and lack of knowledge by the writer (for instance) of the May 23 NY Times article of what is still the largest religious group in the US…those claiming to follow Christ. Sloppy thinking. I remember observing Nixon was (to most college kids) “BAD” almost semi satanic. For many, there was no real scholarship done. I usually heard mere name calling. Occasionally a thoughtful analysis, but usually just negative platitudes. Sloppy thinking.

Some people have carefully thought out reactions & disagreements with Mr. Bush. [b:60582d2455]Good.[/b:60582d2455] Perhaps everyone posting above has carefully researched views—-from multiple positive & negative sources on Iraq, etc. etc.

I personally try to review my political views and see "Where am I just accepting the view of most around me? [b:60582d2455]Have I researched my views myself?[/b:60582d2455] Have I reviewed a multiple of sources—-both for and against on any given issue such as Iraq, etc.?Do I routinely put on the mildly anticapatilistic view popular in most colleges, or have I carefully researched the pros & cons of both capitalism & socialism? (History of 20th Century Soviet Union & 20th Century US a good contrast to start…) I crossing the line from respectful disagreement with a leader… to sneering scorn? [

] (I did cross this line some with Mr, Clinton, I must confess. shame on me.)[/b:60582d2455][/i:60582d2455]

Do I (when surrounded by many who think my way) fall into a sense of “I have the truth in my back pocket.” and I look down on the few sad peasants who dare to disagree with me? (My time in the city, as an evangelical in an office with bosses, co workers of many differing lifestyles, sexual choices, religions, and racial/ethnic backgrounds…first gave me the clue that the world is wider than my little group…)

Are you who read this regularly involved in and challenged in your thinking by interdenominational and other cross cultural or cross [b:60582d2455]political[/b:60582d2455] groups,?
. .thus, a left leaning college can benefit from hearing from someone who may share the faith, but who has differing political views. And vice versa.

the speech seemed to be a call to service as responsible citizens, individually and in community service….

One quote:
“Kuyper contrasted the humanizing influence of independent social institutions with the “mechanical character of government.” And in a famous speech right here in Grand Rapids, he urged Dutch immigrants to resist the temptation to retreat behind their own walls — he told them to go out into their adopted America and make a true difference as true Christian citizens. "

but read for yourself. the link is above in laryn’s post.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/breakpoint/ This has an audio broadcast of today’s (May 24th radio broadcast0 for Chuck Colson.

If you want to see some possible rebuttal to parts of the stern Calvin letter to Pres. Bush (notably the claim that he has not worked for the poor, oppressed) Colson offers some facts to the contrary, which can of course be researched.

I noted the UN speech where Bush stood against the traffic in women, girls for sexual exploitation. As far as I could see, tho, the media ignored that part.

One may hold definite disagreements with his policies on various issues, [b:54838d714c]but it is not factual to assume that he has not done some valuable work for some oppressed humans. .[/b:54838d714c]
Note also it is helpful to visit Laryn’s site to read the actual Bush speech which was mostly a traditional exortation to personal excellence & to servicing others.

http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=BreakPoint_Commentaries1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=16041

The actual original Colson “Breakpoint” site including the Calvin commentary (accessible in print)…

Makes for interesting reading. Also links to Grand Rapids & other sources about the Calvin vs Pres. Bush story…Read for yourself &decide….

How should Christians disagree? might be the ultimate question here…