Posting Suspended

I am suspending new posts until further notice.

Yours faithfully,

LM

PCC & Me: Radio Days, WPCS Rejoice Radio

Last time we looked at some fun times on PCC Tennis courts. Today we look back on a more serious issue for PCC. In the Spring semester (88) an appreciation dinner was hosted by Dr. Horton and several college administrators. The appreciation dinner was to recognize various contributors to the production of the annual college calendar. I received an invitation for my wife and I because my Salesmanship class sold advertising space for the calendar. I was told to invite two of my students from the class. I chose the top two in advertising revenue to attend.

1988 WPCS Moves into New Studios

At dinner my wife and I were seated next to Dr. Horton. Among other topics the conversation turned to my earlier career in on-air radio. He then pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, wrote something down and put it back in his pocket. Later in the week I received a note from the office responsible for assigning summer responsibilities to faculty and staff for the summer while students were away. I had already received my assignment, which was to work in the ABeka Book distribution center (DC). The note I then received said that I was reassigned to be a representative for WPCS radio. Frankly, I was pleased to be representing the radio station because I had heard working DC wasn't much fun.

My responsibilty was to act as a station listeners liaison retuming phone calls and visit folks in their homes who were financial supporters of WPCS to thank them, answer questions and encourage continued support of WPCS. Later I will describe how one of those visits led to the creation of a new outreach ministry for the college and the Campus Church: The Home of Grace.

This was the summer of 1988. Early into liaison responsibility some calls to the station from folks asking why the station discontinued airing John MacArthur's Grace to You program. The decision to pull MacArthur's program was made soon after the publication of his original edition of The Gospel According to Jesus. The Bible department reviewed the book and found it to be advocating a false interpretation of the gospel commonly known as Lordship Salvation (LS). I took or returned each those calls to, in layman terms, explain why the station dropped Grace to You because of MacArthur's advocacy for Lordship Salvation. Earlier today I searched the WPCS Programming Schedule. Nowhere does MacArthur's Grace to You appear. I'm pleased to report that a recent search of the Campus Store Book section revealed zero results when searching "John MacArthur."

Years later, October 1997, a guest chapel speaker advocated LS in one of his messages to the student body. The following Sunday evening (Nov. 2, 1997) Dr. Joel Mullenix brought a sermon titled, "What is the Gospel?" in which he identified the chapel message as a false interpretation of the gospel, and from his Bible (step by step) explained why it was wrong. In one chapter of my book, In Defense of the Gospel; Biblical Answers to Lordship Salvation I draw heavily from Dr. Mullenix's What is the Gospel?

In 2010 I published the revised & expanded version of my original edition (2006). I wrote these books to expose LS so that believers could first  easily recognize LS. and then be equipped to refute and resist the pernicious spread of Lordship's works based, non saving message. Following are examples from the book.

Summary of Lordship Salvation From a Single Page of MacArthur's Book

Lordship Salvation's Misuse and Distortion of Scripture, 1 Thess. 1:9-10

Lordship Salvation corrupts "the simplicity that is in Christ," (2 Cor. 11:3) and "frustrates grace," (Gal. 2:21). You may order In Defense of the Gospel in print or Kindle.

Please view this video synopsis of In Defense of the Gospel

Yours faithfully,

Lou Maertuneac

Addendum:

I need to explain something about the time line of this recollection from PCC. I refer to the November 1997 sermon by Dr. Mullenix. I departed PCC in June 1992 to make preparations for missionary service in South Africa. We arrived in South Africa September 1996. Soon after my missionary coworker, Kevin Brosnan, discovered while he was away on furlough, and just before my arrival, two American missionaries (Doug van Meter, Steven Miller) used that time to introduce and infect the Bible College with Lordship Salvation. Pastor Brosnan asked me to write a position paper for the college rejecting Lordship Salvation, which I did. It was at this time someone notified me of Dr. Mullenix's sermon, "What is the Gospel?" I wrote Dr. Mullenix requesting an audio copy of his sermon, which he gladly sent. I played that sermon to our Bible College students and transcribed extended excerpts into the college position paper. Those excerpts remain in the revised & expanded edition of my book, In Defense of the Gospel.

Lordship Salvation clouds, confuses and complicates the Gospel of Grace. The sermon by Dr. Mullenix helped us root out and eradicate Van Meter and Miller's Lordship Salvation from our Bible College. Ironically, just a few months ago, one of our college graduates from 1997 found me through a search of Facebook. He was one a few national pastors we were not able to recover from Lordship Salvation at the time. On this Messenger note to me he said, "...I wanted to tell you I [finally] got the point on Lordship Salvation that you were making at the time. In absolute agreement [now], my brother." I shared this encouraging note with Pastor Brosnan.

PCC & Me: Hit-N-Giggle & BIG Net Tennis

Last time we looked at the Turkey Bowl concessions. That was fun for me to recollect and share it you.

During the three years prior to arriving at PCC (84-87) I worked in the fitness industry, almost exclusively with tennis 🎾. I was the club membership manager responsible for membership sales and retention at several clubs in our Chicagoland group. At my home club, in Willowbrook, IL, I also taught group and private lessons. I was sponsored by Pro Kennix (PK) tennis company. PK provided me with their rackets, shoes and clothes. With that in my background the PCC administration assigned me to teach mens' and womens' (beginner) tennis. 

The original four courts (at left) I taught on were located adjacent to the swim center and directly behimd tne Academic Center. They're the original four courts still there today. The first day of the girls tennis class I told them that they were going to be learning the basics, but have fun doing it in a no pressure format. I told them we will call this, "Hit-n-Giggle" tennis. Like that we had fun while learning.

With the guys, however, it was a little different. Within the traditional teaching framework I created a competitive game called "BIG Net" tennis.

Imagine an overhead view of four tennis courts with a 12' fence diving them into 2x2. I had the idea to treat the four courts as one with the 12' fence as the BIG net dividing the court. So, we essentially played volleyball. I would start a point by serving a tennis ball high into the air to one side of the BIG net or the other. Players had to return the ball over the net to the opposing team within three shots, just like volleyball. The guys really took to the game. We played it 2, 3 times a month.

On one occasion Dr. Goddard, my VP came strolling by the tennis courts during one of the BIG net games. He paused, looked on for a few seconds. All I could say to him was, "BIG net tennis." He nodded, smiled and went on his way.

There was another occurrence in my men's tennis class. One of my students bought a new racket, he showed it to me as the lesson started. Midway through the lesson I see this guy not reaching for shots, especially when the ball was close to the ground. I knew the problem, he didn't want to scratch the frame. So, I called him over, asked him to let me see his tennis 🎾 racket. When he handed it to me I took it and scraped it in a large semicircle across the court. I handed it back telling him he doesn't have worry about scratching his new racket now.

Well, a few days go by until I received a note from Dr. Goddard (VP for Academic Affairs). He asked to see me in his office. I had no idea why I was called to meet with him. Dr. Goddard explained one of my tennis students came to him to complain about me raking his new tennis racket on the court.

I explained to Dr. Goddard why I did (see above) and by making his racket game used he began to play better. Dr. Goddard thanked me, meeting over. Next class I called the young man over, and said something like, "J***, what are doing belly aching to Dr. Goddard. Get out there and play tennis."

So, who was this student? Sure, why not. It was Cameron "Jack" Davies. Beyond tennis I knew Cameron was a brilliant student. Currently he is the Chief Data Officer for Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company, hosting such iconic brands as KFC, Taco Bell [my personal favorite1], Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger. 

Kind regards,


LM

Footnote to Taco Bell;

1) Bring back the 7-layer burrito!

Addendum:

Some readers may know I have incurable metastatic renal cell carcinoma, stage 4.  In the early days of treatment I was told what foods were good for me, and some to avoid. Before the dietician got started I told her, "It doesn't matter what you tell me, I am not giving up Taco Bell."

PCC & ME: The Turkey Bowl Concessions, Probably the Most Fun I Had at PCC

Last time we looked at the Early Days at PCC. 

Every November, during Thanksgiving weekend, PCC conducts College Days. This is a time to showcase the college to prospective students and their parents. Part of the College Days festivities is the Turkey Bowl Soccer ⚽️ Championship game. Two finalists from the men's collegian soccer regular season battle it out for the championship bragging rights.

We were very new on campus. My wife, children and I attended. There are typically many, many spectators ringing the field. I wanted to buy hot dogs and soft drinks for my family. I made my way to the concessions stand. The operation was very small, the layout was not efficient. There was no defined way to guide customers in and through the concessions. Another problem was food prep and delivery. For example hot dogs were cooked, more like warmed on one of those small rotisserie machines you see at gas station convenience stores. The hot dogs were were skewered on one end of a metal stake. The heat source to cook the hot dogs is something like a 250 watt light bulb. The hot dogs would slowly rotate around this heat source, which made cooking time 10-15 minutes for no more than 10-12 hot dogs at a time.

I was thinking at the time this could be far more efficient moving many more fans through. Later that night, after the children had gone to bed, I sat at the kitchen table to overhead diagram my layout and make notations about how I would organize the concessions area. For example: cooking hot dogs I would use two spilt 55 gallon drums to charcoal grill the hot dogs. One for fast cooking, the other as a warming area. Once I finished I put my diagram away, but I saved it.

Fast forward to August 1988. Dr. Goddard called me to his office to say he would like me and my Public Relations (PR) class to take on running that year's Turkey Bowl concessions. I was really excited, and told him about how I drew up plans last year for how I would run it.

On the first day of my PR class I told the students (about 70) that Dean Goddard has given us the privilege and responsibility to run the Turkey Bowl concessions. A wave of excitement ran through the classroom.  I broke up the class into committees with a leader of each. I would meet with the committee leaders every Friday night leading up to the Turkey Bowl, with more frequent meetings two weeks from the event. I would hear progress updates and would offer helpful advice where needed, but the students did the leg work. I wanted this to be their project, their effort that would make it a success. They did it all, they prepared the way for a successful operation.

Dean Hurst

A couple weeks into the semester I reached out to Dean John Hurst. He was in charge of the Pan-Hellenic society. The concessions were being run by my PR class, but sponsored by and in support of the the Pan-Hellenic society. I came to ask Dean Hurst for a sum of money to launch our preparation for the Turkey Bowl.  He said the amount I asked for was their entire budget. He said he would get back to me the next day. So, he saw me the next day. He told me he asked Mrs. Horton about my financial request, and she told him to give it to me.

Among other decisions we made was to buy only food the college food service used. Mrs. Allen, Food Service Director, agreed to buy any of our unused, unopened left over products.

The day of the Turkey Bowl we were ready, excited and a little nervous. The entire day went off without a hitch. Lines of people moved quickly through our concessions. We worked hard and smart. We had fun and nearly sold out all of our products. There was an air of celebration as we tore down the area. We met as a class the following Monday. There was still this buzz of excitement among the students. Some of them shared their personal experience from the day. There were cheers and laughter throughout class time.

All said and done it was down to business. Did we make a profit? The college accounting department counted up the money, subtracted expenses. I had a couple of our graphic design students make up a large presentation check. I assigned several of my students to present that check at the next Pan-Hellenic meeting. They made that presentation to Dean Hurst and the Pan-Hellenic leadership. The amount of the presentation check was triple the funds Dean Hurst had given me weeks before. A few days later Dean Hurst saw me between classes. He said that when he showed Mrs. Horton how much profit we made through the concessions she said to him, "Whatever Mr. Martuneac wants for next year's Turkey Bowl concessions, give it to him."

Funny thing about next year is we sought out vendors who, in exchange for promotional considerations, would give us their food, snacks and soft drinks for free. Even the charcoal and ice was donated. So, we didn't have to request any funds from Pan-Hellenic. From the very first hot dog, bag of chips, candy bar and soft drink sold it was pure profit.

I also decided that instead of a single fixed operation location the fans would have to come to we needed to get out among the fans seated all around the field. This would relieve some pressure at our fixed operation, especially during half time.

We needed racks to carry our products out to the stands. So, I sent some of the students to the Pensacola Civic Center. The civic center hosted semi-pro sporting events and concerts. They had the kind of serving racks we needed. The students asked for and were given permission to borrow enough racks for our concessions.

These serving racks had promotional placards on them advertising brands like Budweiser, Miller Lite and the like. Oops! We made our own placards to cover those up.

I don't recall the exact amount of money we turned over to Dean Hurst and the Pan-Hellenic leadership that year.  I believe the amount was more than double the first year profit.

I was able to run the Turkey Bowl concessions, with my PR class over four consecutive years. I left PCC after the Spring 1992 semester. I believe the concession operations was turned over to a former student, Tony Pittarese, who had been a student for the event and was now on staff at the college.

During my final semester Dean Hurst asked to meet me. In that meeting he said Mrs. Horton told him to talk to me before I left to find out how I run the Turkey Bowl concessions. I shared all I had and knew.

Operating the Turkey Bowl concessions those four years remains one of my favorite memories and probably the most fun I had at PCC. 

LM

Addendum:

Should any students from those PR classes happen to read this article I would really enjoy hearing from you. Use my email address- indefense06@gmail.com

PCC & ME: The Early Days

Last time we looked at A Phone Call & Heart's Desire.

In August 1987 we departed Chicago for PCC. We hired a moving company to send our belongings soon after us. The drive down was pleasant and largely uneventful. We did take time to visit an American Civil War battlefield, Chickamagua.

So, we arrived on a sunny August afternoon. We were stopped at a main intersection where we'd turn right toward PCC's main entrance about two blocks away. To our immediate right was an AMOCO gas station and on the corner was a young man dressed in black pants, white shirt and thin dark tie. He was waving a Bible at the cars and at the top of his lungs yelling about sin. My wife looked at me and asked, "do you think he's a PCC student?" I said, "I'm not sure, but he's definitely not a Mormon." Some of you may already know where this is going.

A few days later I told another faculty member about the incident and asked if that guy was one of our students. He said, "No, what you saw was a 'Ruckmanite' from a small Bible institute in town." Hearing that was a relief. If you'd like to know more about that group see, Peter Ruckman.

We arrived on campus, and were warmly greeted. We spent our first two days housed in the Ballard dormitory. Our belongings arrived and we were shown our new home located behind the Dale Horton Auditorium, which was then the Campus Church. It was a very nice three bedroom duplex. Some of our immediate neighbors were Brian and Becky Bucy, Shane and Donna Smith, Greg and Carol DeBruler. Two years later PCC moved us into a four bedroom single family home. We remained there until our departure in June 1992, which is the subject of an upcoming article. Fwiw: what lead to our amicable departure is a story of God's direction, sovereignty and providence.

Back to our first night in the dorm room I heard a piano being played. This was no slouch at the keyboard. I went to the room where the music was coming from. It was a student playing. I asked him to play, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." He asked if it was for me to sing. I said, "Uhh, no no." If you know me well you know I have a deep resonate voice. My first three years out of college I worked in radio, on the air. If you ever meet me ask for the current time and temperature. I'll give you a demo. Musically the problem is my ear. I have no ear for music. When I sing in our congregation I never know if I'm on key.

I remember one of our first times in the Campus Church. After the service Liz and I were down by the platform near the piano. Then music leader Gettys Allen heard me talking, approached me and asked me if I can sing. I tried to warn him off, but, he insisted I give it a try for him. So, he has the pianist play a hymn familiar to me. After less than 15 seconds Mr. Allen stopped me and said something like, "Lou, I think you can best contribute to the music ministry from the congregation." I warned him. There have been several times I disappointed church ministers of music and choir leaders. One of them was Robert Regal at Marquette Manor BC. If you've heard Ray Gibbs at PCC sing, you've heard Robert Regal, but in baritone.

I don't know what it is, but they hear me speak and automatically think or hope that is my singing voice as well. Not, so! They tried, I tried, but my place is best in and among the congregation at large.

Moving on, a few days before students began to arrive all faculty and staff had to meet to receive their assignments for the Fall semester I was assigned to teach: Salesmanship, Public Relations, Introduction to Communications (Radio & TV), Oral Communications in the Professions and Tennis. A full load, for sure, but I loved the diversity of classes. I would rather teach five subjects every week than one subject five times a week. My wife was assigned college library secretary. She was delighted because she loved and still loves to read and has always frequented our local libraries.

The Dale Horton Auditorium and Swim Center had opened nine months earlier. Pastor Bob Taylor would leave PCC for Colonial Hills BC in Spring 1988, Jim Schettler was called to be senior pastor. Dr. Horton's Presidential Prerogative Day was highly anticipated every Spring semester. New construction was evident all around campus including the Cogeneration plant. We were there and we loved it from the start.

Those early days and weeks were not overwhelming, but more challenging than I expected. It didn't matter though because God had fulfilled a heart’s desire, and I loved it from the start. That said, I was thankful Dr. Goddard suggesting I delay starting graduate school to focus on my first year teaching. I knew the subject matter well for lectures, having a number of years in the professions, but the day to day of preparation, the creating, giving and grading tests and quizzes was time consuming. 

At midterms and finals I only gave exams that could be graded by Scantron. No essay questions. That way I could have grades posted soon, and be out on the tennis court practicing while most faculty were days into grading exams.

That's a pretty good summation of the early days.

Next time I'll share my story about the Turkey Bowl championship, the concessions area in particular. It is one of my very favorite and fun recollections.


LM

PCC & Me: A Phone Call and Heart's Desire Fulfilled

Last time we looked at events where God preparing me for His eventual call to full-time ministry. How I at first hesitated, but finally surrendered. See, Call to Ministry Leading to PCC.

In this chapter I'd like to tell you what happened over the summer of 1987 that led to our move to Pensacola. In fact, it was a phone call that set wheels in motion.

Early in the summer of 1987 I submitted my application for graduate school. In late June Dr. Jerry Goddard, then PCC's VP for Academic Affairs phoned me. He said, "we have your application for graduate school, but we're also looking at your career resume." He then asked me, "would you be willing to take your graduate school classes on a part time basis so that you could teach full time on our college faculty ?"

Immediately I began fighting back tears of joy. In that moment I experienced the reality of Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

For many years I had a desire to be a school teacher, but the Lord had never until that morning opened that door to me. All the years of unfilled hope were fulfilled in that moment. I responded with, "I would be pleased to come to PCC on those terms, Dr. Goddard." Later Dr. Goddard also suggested I delay starting graduate studies to devot my time to that first year of teaching. Another suggestion I decided upon, which I was grateful for early on my first semester teaching.

We wrapped up the phone call and soon after text books arrived for some of the classes I would be teaching. Dr. Goddard also sent me a list of the classes they wanted me to teach. Those classes over two semesters were: Salesmanship, Marketing & Advertising, Public Relations, Introduction to Communications, Oral Communication in the Professions and Tennis. In my third year they added Evangelism Seminar.

Next time we'll talk about arriving and those early days on faculty and look at a plan I prepared thinking it wouldn't amount to anything.

LM

Call to Ministry: Leading to Pensacola Christian College

Earlier we began this series with An Introduction.

In November 1984 my wife, one year old daughter and I first attended Marquette Manor Baptist Church (MMBC). Dr. Wayne VanGelderen, Sr. was the pastor then. We became regulars and joined the church soon after. Over the next two years we grew spiritually through Sunday school and worship services.

I began getting more and more involved with church programs. I took a series of soul winning classes, volunteered to help with various outreach programs in the church.

In October 1986 our Sunday school teacher (Dr. David Pennington) brought a lesson on Romans 12:1-2. I remember a few days after that lesson going to see Dr. Pennington for lunch to get a better understanding of what the passage meant for me. When he finished I went to my car and prayed a simple prayer, something like this, "Lord, I don’t care what it is, where it takes me, or what the cost, whatever you want me to do I will do it."

Looking back it seems to me that was my little Samuel response to the voice of God, "Speak; for Thy servant heareth." (1 Samuel 3:9-10 )Let me tell you the Lord took me up on the promise I made. Over the next six months there were numerous occasions when the Lord challenged me on my promise. I began making decisions and taking steps to live out the principles of that passage. I found myself responding to the Lord’s direction to get more of some things into my life, and other things out of my life. I was going forward during invitation time following sermons to make those decisions and commitments. A few days following one of those decisions I received a note from my Pastor, VanGelderen, Sr. It read, "Lou, that was a good decision. Keep it up." These steps of obedience to the Lord’s commands continued into April 1987.

That month MMBC held its annual Revival meeting with Evangelist Ron Comfort preaching that year. I can't recall what Dr. Comfort's first Sunday morning sermon was about, but at the invitation time God was clearly calling me to follow Him into full time ministry. I knew it, plain as day, but for the first time since October, committing to Romans 12:1-2,  I did not respond to His call.

It wasn't a crushing pressure, but God was in a loving, powerful way calling on me to surrender to full time ministry. I recall having this sense of the Lord speaking to my heart, "Why didn't you go forward, I called you, you said you would do anything I asked of you." This went on all afternoon and evening. Because of professional responsibilities in those days I was unable to attend the Sunday evening service, but God was still speaking to me, "I called you, why didn't you go forward?" This went on through Monday. I asked my manager if I could leave work early so I could attend the service at church. He gave that permission, and I drove straight to church. Dr. Comfort was preaching by the time I arrived. I took a seat in the foyer, still agonizing over God calling me to preach.

I don't know why I hesitated, I knew I had to surrender, but the unexpectedness of God's call caught me off guard, and I was wrestling through it all.

So, there I am sitting in the foyer, half listening to the sermon. One of our deacons John Ramler (a godly man, 10 years my senior, with the Lord now) approached me. He greeted me and asked how I'm doing. I told him, "God is calling on me to make an important decision for Him." The deacon replied, "Well, then you better do it."

I was seated right under one of the overhead audio speakers carrying Dr. Comfort's message. There is nothing I remember from his sermon, with the exception of one word, which was, "JONAH." Immediately upon hearing that name God said to me, "YOU ARE DOING THE SAME THING!"

That was enough! I rose to my feet, gripped the handle of a door to the auditorium, and on the first note of the invitation hymn I opened the door and made my way up the right side aisle to the front. John VanGelderen was there, I told him why I had come forward. When the invitation closed John took me to the church office, asked me to wait there while he got his father (Wayne, Sr.) to come meet with me. Moments later Dr. VanGelderen came in, sat down and listened as I told him what transpired over the previous 36 hours. He asked me a few questions, shared some comments, prayed with me, and then asked me to come back in the morning to meet with him and Dr. Comfort to discuss next steps.

Dr. VanGelderen, Sr.

That next morning Drs. VanGelderen and Comfort met with me. It was a time of encouraging me and to discuss getting trained in the Scriptures. Until that time my only college training was a B.A. in Telecommunications from Michigan State University, 1981. Dr. VanGelderen felt PCC would be a good fit for Bible training and the college might be able to use me there, somewhere. With that I reached out to PCC to begin the application process for graduate school.

Before I close this chapter I'd like to share a discussion between Drs. VanGelderen and Comfort once they were done speaking to me. Not recalling the specifics, the men were talking about the need for another Bible College. They discussed Dr. Comfort's thinking of opening a new Bible College. Two years later Dr. Comfort opened Ambassador Baptist College.

Next time I'll share what transpired over the summer of 1987, which led to my leaving Chicago for Pensacola, Florida. See, A Phone Call & Heart's Desire.

LM

Addendum:
In 1984 I was 29 years old. I recall seeing men there who were many years my senior. Good men who loved the Lord and faithful members of the church. Now, in 2025, I look around the congregation recognizing I'm one of the "old guys" now.

Pensacola Christian College & Me: An Autobiography, Introduction

In early March I published an article expressing my disappointment and concern that Pensacola Christian College (PCC) hosted Steve Pettit in the Campus Church and College chapel pulpits.  See, Are We Now Going to Lose PCC? 1

That said my love and hope for PCC remains strong and bright. I have a long and rich history with PCC. Some of my greatest strides in spiritual growth, ministry opportunities, delights in ministry, and personal enrichment are because of and through my relationship with PCC. I will be sharing some favorite, even fun times I had on faculty.

Today, I am beginning a new series of articles to, in autobiographical form, share my life experiences with and about PCC.

My love for and appreciation for the PCC I know runs deep within me. I will be sharing many stories of how I came to work, study and thrive at PCC. None of what I share is meant to be a self- aggrandizement campaign. They are the retelling of my favorite and cherished memories. The first, coming soon, will discuss how the Lord was working in my life, which led me to reach out to PCC. See, Call to Ministry Leading to PCC.

Yours faithfully,


Lou Martuneac

Addendum: I have no set schedule for publishing the upcoming articles in the series. I will write and publish each as I am able. My goal is to post each article on Monday and Thursday morning.

Footnote

Steve Pettit is Reformed in his theology, a non-separatist evangelical and an ecumenical compromiser. His agenda over nine years as Bob Jones University president almost completely erased BJU's historic fundamentalist, separatist legacy. Pettit's dismantling of BJU's foundation caused irreparable damage to the school and has to this day left what form it will take or its survivability in question.  Pray that God will give the leadership the wisdom and way to revitalize and restore BJU to the best of what it has been, and can be again. See,

Steve Pettit Entangles BJU Students in Ecumenical Compromise

Steve Pettit: An Advocate for the Advancement of Reformed Theology

Steve Pettit Opens the Campus to Roman Catholics & New Evangelicals

Chris Anderson's The Scandal of Schism Reviewed by George Zeller

What follows are select excerpts from George Zeller's comprehensive review of Chris Anderson's, The Scandal of Schism.

In light of the helpful contributions Anderson has made with his hymn compositions, etc., I was saddened to learn that he had published this book which is an attack against fundamentalists. He accuses them of causing schisms and sinful divisions in the churches. In this review I will cite page numbers of Anderson’s book so that his statements can be easily found and checked.

Anderson’s new attack against fundamentalists reminds me of a very similar attack by Jack Van Impe as set forth in his book, Heart Disease in Christ’s Body (written 1984). In this book Van Impe expressed his concern over the divisiveness within the church and he makes a strong plea for broader fellowship among brethren based on love and doctrinal toleration. The book was a virulent attack against what he labeled as“neo-fundamentalists” or “extreme separatists.” I reviewed that book over 40 years ago.See https://middletownbiblechurch.org/separate/heartdis.pdf

Anderson’s position reminds me of a book Chuck Swindoll wrote back in 1990 called, The Grace Awakening. He attacked believers with high standards as “legalists” and pushed his “freegrace” ideas way beyond their boundaries.

Let me comment briefly on some of these “divisive issues” mentioned by Anderson:

Contemporary music- Anderson has no problem with the music of the Gettys, Sovereign Grace, CityAlight or Steve Green (pages 62,132,125 ).

Concerning degrees of Calvinism- Anderson wants believers to be united around the gospel, but how can we join together with men who deny that “God so loved the world,” teaching instead that He loved and died only for the “world of the elect.” Limited atonement is a denial of the true gospel which is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Also many Calvinists teach that regeneration precedes faith. That is, you do not believe to be born again but you are born again so that you can believe. But according to Anderson we should all seek unity under one big tent and not be concerned about such doctrines.

Opinions of a well-known author. Anderson seems to be referring to men such as John MacArthur, Al Mohler, John Piper, etc. Are we to embrace such men even if they hold some very unbiblical positions?

1. MacArthur’s denial of the eternal Sonship of Christ (teaching that Christ did not become the Son of God until His incarnation);
2. MacArthur’s teaching that a believer does not have an old nature, but only a new nature in Christ;
3. MacArthur’s teaching on “Lordship Salvation,” that the requirements for salvation include obedience, surrender and fulfilling the demands of discipleship;
4. MacArthur’s denial of unlimited atonement.
5. MacArthur’s weak positions on dispensationalism; etc.

Does Anderson believe that exposing errors like this is an attack on Christian unity? Apparently he does.

Excessively modest dress- He criticizes women for “excessively modest dress” (p. 53) but has nothing to say about women, even professing believers, who are excessively immodest.

Second degree separation- Anderson is opposed to secondary separation and believes that fundamentalists are guilty of “excessive separation” (p. 58).

The Use of Alcohol- There is a trend today towards a position where believers may partake of alcohol in moderation but avoid getting drunk. The IFCA in recent years changed their policy on alcohol, basically allowing for social drinking and the consumption of alcohol but condemning drunkenness. Anderson takes the same position.

Other positions Anderson takes, reviewed by Zeller, include:

• The timing of the rapture
• How people should dress for worship
• Worship Styles
• Short hair on men

Ernest Pickering in his excellent book, Biblical Separation, wrote, “Church history yields no example of a group or denomination that, having been captured by apostates, has been rescued and restored to a Biblical witness.” Anderson takes issue with this statement and believes that the Southern Baptist Convention has been rescued and restored to a Biblical witness, due to a conservative resurgence around 1979 (p. 72 footnote). He accuses David Beale of maligning SBC brethren instead of encouraging them (p. 73). He cites Beale’s book, SBC: House on the Sand? and claims that the SBC experienced a successful conservative resurgence and a great victory (p. 73 footnote). This “conservative resurgence” in the SBC is highly questionable.

How do we handle the various teachings and positions that are held among Bible-believing Christians? Anderson believes that if a person holds to the fundamentals of the faith and preaches the true gospel then he should be welcomed into “one big gospel tent” and we should not fight over any of these secondary issues. Anderson loves the slogan, “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity” (p. 151). The problem here is this: Who decides what is non-essential?

How can we summarize the position of Chris Anderson?
The following quotation is taken from WorldwideImpact, a Campus Crusade for Christ publication, May 1972. Even though this was written a number of years ago, it seems to accurately reflect Anderson’s position,

We are to put aside the peripheral issues (that is, doctrinal issues) that divide us .... Men are reminded that the real issue is Jesus Christ, and that we are to love one another even if we do not agree theologically or philosophically [or doctrinally]. I encourage you to apply this principle of love and acceptance with all of your Christian friends, and help make Christ the real issue.

This philosophy could perhaps be restated as follows: “It is sinful to divide the body of Christ on earth by separating ourselves from any Christian over any doctrinal or ecclesiastical issue. The mark of true orthodoxy is love, not doctrine.

Today as I think of that song [You are Always Good] and the several other Chris Anderson songs that have meant so much to me and to our congregation, I am saddened. I am saddened because the man who had the potential to be one of the finest song writers of our day has decided to go on the attack against fundamentalists and join the ranks of a much wider and broader evangelicalism. It brings to mind the title of Dr. Pickering’s book, The Tragedy of Compromise.

See Brother Zeller's Full Review. It is the sixth article down.

Site Publisher's Closure:

Chris Anderson is squarely among the non-separatist evangelicals who will allow for, tolerate, ignore and excuse a wide range of doctrinal aberrations for the sake of unity. Anderson is doing all he can to influence the next generation to join him in compromise of the Scriptures for the sake of unity with his mentors and friends in T4G and The Gospel Coalition.

LM

Related Reading

John MacArthur Requested to, and Resigns the IFCA

A Mood of Broadmindedness: The NEW New Evangelicalism, Dr. Ernest Pickering

Dr. David Beale Reviews Chris Anderson's Book

Another Shake Up at BJU?

It has just been reported that in less than one year as BJU president Joshua Crockett announced on April 7 he may be called to become senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church.  If he is called, and accepts the call, it's virtually certain he will step down as president for a lesser role at the university. See, BJU President Josh Crockett Announces Possible Role Change.

Yours faithfully,

LM

Announcement to Alumni from Bob Jones University:

This morning, [April 7] Dr. Joshua Crockett informed the Bob Jones University faculty and staff he is a candidate for senior pastor of Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, the position he held for nine years prior to becoming the president of BJU in May 2024. He also plans to continue in a leadership role at BJU working alongside a CEO. 

Dr. Crockett has a pastor’s heart and believes he is best suited to shepherd a congregation and individuals within that congregation. Morningside Baptist Church’s pulpit committee will present the dual role to the congregation for a vote as early as April 27.

If the congregation votes to call him as pastor, his responsibilities at the University will shift primarily to preaching, leading chapel and interacting with and shepherding students.

Dr. Crockett remains dedicated to the mission and vision of BJU, and his ongoing leadership will continue to support the University’s commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. 

The BJU Board of Trustees is confident that with the planned transition and the appointment of a new CEO, the University will continue to thrive in its mission to serve students, faculty, and staff. 

As the process to appoint a new CEO progresses, Dr. Crockett strongly encourages the pursuit of unity. In his statement to faculty and staff this morning, he acknowledged the past and even present disagreements within the BJU community saying “the answer is not to retaliate or escalate a family feud – like the Hatfields & McCoys. The answer is not to react or pick fights on social media.  New Testament Christians are called to build up, not blow up.  We’re called to edification not detonation.  We need to pursue reconciliation and restoration.  We need unity.”  

In his closing this morning, Dr. Crockett also shared clear reasons for optimism including a 23% increase in confirmed applications over last year at this time!