Dr. Olson: Would You Kindly Tell Us...?

Special Alert, 8/31: The FBFI’s Proclaim & Defend blog published an article on the NIU controversy. See, Questions for Matt Olson and NIU. I am grateful the FBFI has finally joined the discussion over and is questioning NIU’s involvement with a Charismatic church. 

In these discussions of the changes at Northland International University, not I or anyone I am familiar with would suggest that Matt Olson does not love the Lord. We believe that Matt is a sincere man and is trying to please the Lord. We believe that we’ll meet Matt before the throne of God and for eternity worship the Lord together. Until that time, however, we are seriously concerned with the new direction that Matt is going, which has begun to resemble New Evangelical compromise. The concern is compounded because Matt sits in a position from which he can influence impressionable young people to follow him in what we believe to be a direction that draws believers away from fidelity to God’s mandates for separation and ultimately harms the cause of Christ on the earth.

Until Matt Olson begins answering questions about his actions and statements in precise terms he is causing confusion and uncertainty about where Northland is headed and/or going to stand. Clearly, Northland International University is drifting far from what was the Northland Baptist Bible College. Under Matt Olson Northland has changed, “radically” some would say.

Many men in Fundamental circles recall Les Ollila constantly warning that “it’s not what a person says, it’s where his feet are pointed,” that brings corruption. He illustrated the concept with Solomon who wrote wonderful truths (Proverbs), but pointed his feet toward pagan women and was corrupted. Matt Olson has been saying, “Northland is unchanged!” His feet, however, are pointed toward Reformed, non-dispensational, amillennial, non-separatist, CCM /Rock-music-oriented, non-Baptist, Continuationists!!

Following is a series of questions that any pastor or parent can comfortably ask Dr. Olson. They are brief, simple, but penetrating questions. These questions get right to heart of widely held concerns with Northland.

Dr. Olson would you kindly tell us...

1) Will NI teach that the church is Israel? 

2) Will NI move away from a Dispensational hermeneutic and embrace a Covenant hermeneutic? 

3) Will NI open its chapel music to the kind of music featured at the Resolved conference?* 

4) Will NI continue to establish Bible, Chapel and Community Churches or will they begin to plant Baptist Churches?** 

5) Will NI accept the apostleship of the Sovereign Grace Ministry leaders? 

6) Will NI students continue to be encouraged to attend T4G events? 

7) Will NI change its Handbook doctrinal statements and Articles of Faith to allow for open acceptance of the Charismatic churches and pastors? 

8) Will NI students who leave their dispensational, Baptist heritage to become leaders in Charismatic “Continuationist” churches continue to be lauded?

Approach Dr. Olson or any NIU administrator and board member in a spirit of Christian love with a seeker’s heart. If you are sincere, then I can think of no reason why a brother in Christ, the president of a Christian college, would be reluctant to answer these questions in precise terms.

Yours faithfully,


LM

*Rick Holland is the founder of the Resolved conference. Matt Olson had Rick Holland, the former executive pastor of John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church, as a chapel speaker on October 5, 2010 at NIU. See, Rick Holland Speaks to Students in Chapel at NIU

“Resolved is the brainchild of a member of Dr. John MacArthur’s pastoral staff [Rick Holland], gathering thousands of young people annually, and featuring the usual mix of Calvinism and extreme charismatic-style worship. Young people are encouraged to feel the very same sensational nervous impact of loud rhythmic music on the body that they would experience in a large, worldly pop concert, complete with replicated lighting and atmosphere. At the same time they reflect on predestination and election. Worldly culture provides the bodily, emotional feelings, into which Christian thoughts are infused and floated. Biblical sentiments are harnessed to carnal entertainment. (Pictures of this conference on their website betray the totally worldly, showbusiness atmosphere created by the organisers.)” (Dr. Peter Masters: The Merger of Calvinism With Worldliness, italics his, bold mine)

**Brother Dick Fellers recently left NIU, but before he did he was the Church Ministries Chair, was involved in and taught church planting. The Church he planted while at Northland is the Timberland “Bible” Chapel of Crivitz, WI.  Brother Fellers was pastor of the Immanuel “Bible” Church in Scottsdale, AZ. He was pastor for 27 years until leaving in 2007 to take a position at NIU.  Dick Fellars is a plurality of elders man.  How does a “Community” church man come on staff at what was then the Northland Baptist Bible College.  While discussing this with a pastor in the Midwest, he asked: How is it that no one at NBBC/NIU ever brought this to light?  Are other Bible Church/Community/Chapel people on the faculty of NIU?

Related Reading:

Is NIU “UnChanged?”

Exactly How Does Northland's Music Remain, "Unchanged?"

Is NIU Opposed to and Reject[ing of] the “Modern Charismatic Movement?”

Exactly How Does Northland’s Music Remain, “Unchanged?”

Recently we have been considering Dr. Matt Olson, as NIU president, praising one of CJ Mahaney’s Sovereign Grace Ministry churches, a Charismatic church and its pastor, Ian McConnell. This is major doctrinal concern that we will return to later this week. Today, however, we are going to hear from Pastor Steve Rogers on a related issue.

Ps. Steve Rogers

Brother Greg Dietrich works for Northland’s Graduate School as the assistant director, and as the director of Northland Online. As Brother Martuneac documented in previous articles Greg will be in membership of the Grace Bible Church, a SGM outfit with the whole Charismatic sign gifts issue. Matt Olson lauded this church. Greg’s connection to the Charismatic Grace Bible Church is very strong. Northland, furthermore, will be paying Greg a salary while he is under the authority of that Charismatic church. Nobody should dispute that connection and the doctrinal problem there.

From his blog Bro. Dietrich details his current ties to both the continuationist Grace Bible Church and NIU simultaneously. Dietrich says he will put himself,

“under the care of the elders at Grace Bible Church…. I… [will] be able to keep my job at Northland…. I will continue to direct our online program…with the graduate school. I’ll be adding to my job...some recruiting and retention efforts.”1

Currently, Greg Dietrich is giving credence to music that not too many years ago Dr. Les Ollila would have preached against and Northland would have banned from campus. Please note the link below to the NIU Staff member Greg Dietrich’s blog, 5Solas.2 Note how Greg heaps lavish praise on a new contemporary worship album. He says, “They have a very cool sound with a mix of rock, pop, and folk.” Then follow the link(s) to this new album for samples of “a very cool sound of rock, pop…” I found Greg’s blog while looking at the Grace Bible Church site. I wanted to see what articles were on Greg’s blog because they often will reveal ones true testimony. Now, we know the testimony of Greg and NIU. CCM’s rock music is tolerable and acceptable for NIU faculty, staff and students. After listening to the CCM/Rock Greg praises I believe many of us would like for Dr. Ollila and Matt Olson to explain:

Exactly how does Northland’s music remain... “unchanged?”

Someone might say, “This is a matter of Greg’s personal preference and hardly a direct reflection on NIU.” Greg Dietrich is in an official leadership role at NIU. Even NIU’s new extremely watered down music policy says,

“When it comes to music, two people equally dedicated to the Lord may not have the same musical preferences. All we ask is that your music not be in direct conflict with God’s character….”3

So, a current NIU department head is openly and publicly promoting music that the artists, as well as he himself, describe as “very cool with a mix of rock, pop, and folk.” Indeed, as Dr. Everson’s interview4 demonstrated, there are multiple changes coming to fruition at the new Northland. IMO, after reviewing Greg’s music choices, the amorality of music position is one of them. These questions should be asked and honestly answered by Matt Olson and Les Ollila:

1) Is NIU going to agree with their own leadership that “rock and pop” are NOT in “direct conflict with Gods character” and therefore acceptable forms of Biblical music by all staff and students of NIU? Or, 

2) Is this, along with Olson’s praise of a Charismatic church, another example of NIU leadership claiming things remain “unchanged” while implementing such change in practice?

I am certainly just one of many pastors who are really disappointed that Northland has been taken over by the new New Evangelical mindset. I want to encourage other pastors and parents to understand the glaring chasm between what the NIU administration is claiming (faith) and what they are implementing (practice). I used to at least be able to expect Christ honoring music from Northland, now even that is suspect.

I think any integrity question goes to the entire school, administration, faculty, and staff. They should ask, “Am I going to continue to support and propagate the idea that Northland remains unchanged when there is ample evidence to the contrary?” Should we support a school when its administration does not even see it necessary to explain in precise terms or repent from such glaring deviation from its historic roots and authentic Biblical separation? IMO, for the NIU administration to be honest they have to say, “We have moved away from the form of biblical separation we once practiced at NBBC, and beyond the Gospel just about everything else is a non-essential and areas of preference and liberty.”

This blurring of lines and graying of absolutes needs to end!

Separatists need to be separatists and let God deal with the school. The longer NIU’s charade continues the virus of new wave New Evangelical compromise will spread. Students, then families, then churches that remain attached to NIU will exhibit the symptoms and sadly, even more of this generation could lose sight of or even be inoculated against the vital doctrine of Biblical separation.

Pastor Steve Rogers
Grace Baptist Church

Footnotes: 
1) Greg Dietrich: A Life and Family Update
2) 5Solas
3) What is Northland’s Music Policy
The new policy has done away with the heart of NBBC’s previous policy on music, which stated,

“We avoid music classified as ‘Contemporary Christian Music’- sacred music which is written or performed in a popular or worldly style. These styles include rock, Blues, Jazz, “big band,” rap, New Age, and other styles normally associated with worldly entertainment or dancing. We also avoid “pop” or rock arrangements. Some styles of secular music, such as classical music, marching band music, fun songs, or traditional folk songs may be appropriate for certain occasions. However, some styles, such as jazz, rock, rap, punk, dance band, or New Age are never considered appropriate.”

4) Questions Answered on the Changes at NIU, Part Two

Related Reading:
Is NIU “Unchanged?”

“Our Children Learn Not Only What We Teach Them But By What We Tolerate.”

“Dr. Les Ollila said that over and over to the student body. With the change in philosophy and methods at NIU a different kind of teaching and wide ranging tolerance is being learned by impressionable students.”

Dr. Bob Jones, III: The Faith of the Gospel

“If it’s all just about the gospel then we’ve missed the whole point of the gospel. There is the saving gospel, which introduces us to the faith of the gospel. And if we embrace the philosophy that it’s just about the gospel we can put our arms around about every wrong, unbecoming Christian behavior in all the world.”

Is NIU, “Opposed to and Reject[ting of] the Modern Charismatic Movement,” Part 2

Earlier we saw that Dr. Matt Olson, Northland International University’s (NIU) president, praised a Charismatic church, its pastor and by extension the Sovereign Grace Ministries, founded by charismatic preacher C. J. Mahaney.1 Praising a charismatic ministry is a stark contravention to NIU’s current Articles of Faith, its Faculty, Staff and Student Handbooks,2 which state,

“Among the gifts listed in the Bible, we believe that sign gifts have ceased for today. Therefore, we reject the modern charismatic movement and the confusion which it has brought. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 13:8; Ephesians 4:11-12).” 

“The university’s position is not to cooperate with any organization or movement that is connected with apostasy or that places less than primary emphasis on the authority of the Word of God…. Furthermore, Northland is opposed to Liberalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, Hyper-Calvinism, and the Charismatic Movement.” 

“Therefore, we cannot accept the position reflected in the Ecumenical Movement, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, or the various branches of the Charismatic Movement. We believe cooperation should be limited to those of like precious faith. (1Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 3:6–19, 19:11–16, 20:1–6, 11–15; 21:1–8).”

Let’s take a closer look at Pastor Ian McConnell. First, I am sure Ian loves the Lord and wants to please Him with his life. Second, I believe we will see Ian in Heaven worshipping our Lord together.  Ian has, however, gone off into what I believe to be doctrinal error. Ian is [senior] pastor for preaching and vision of the Grace Bible Church. The Grace Bible Church is listed among the Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) membership of churches. SGM is unashamedly a Charismatic organization, with roots in the Catholic/Charismatic movement, believing the sign gifts of tongues, prophecy and healing are active and should be sought after today.

“The organization of over 70 member churches grew out of the charismatic renewal of the 1970s under the leadership of Catholic Charismatic Larry Tomczak and has its roots in the Gathering of Believers (now Covenant Life Church) in Maryland. It was formally established in 1982. CJ Mahaney and Larry Tomczak were the co-founders of both Covenant Life Church and People of Destiny International (PDI), the former name of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Mahaney describes himself as a ‘former pothead.’ Both Mahaney and Tomczak withdrew from the Charismatic Catholic scene shortly before the creation of Covenant Life Church.”3

Ian McConnell

Ian McConnell is closely tied to the modern Charismatic Movement and SGM. Ian serves on the SGM board of directors and he is scheduled as a special speaker at SGM’s 2012 Pastors Conference (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) in Orlando.4 In 2011 Ian McConnell spoke briefly at SGM’s PLANT conference. At 2:30 into the video (link below) Ian describes himself as a, “Twenty-Eight year old guy holding a seminary degree from a fundamentalist institution, who’s a Reformed Continuationist.”5 On the platform, seated to Ian’s right, is CJ Mahaney. It is a Reformed Continuationst pastor, and his charismatic SGM church that Matt Olson praised and stated that he has, “great confidence in this next generation [and] they get what matters most.”

How can NIU’s president, in good conscience, personally and publicly praise a charismatic church and its pastor when the official doctrinal position of the university opposes, rejects and cannot accept the modern Charismatic Movement?

Pastors/parents it seems you can expect impressionable NIU undergraduates to be influenced to accept and praise the “modern Charismatic Movement” just as the university president has done. Will NIU students will be encouraged to tolerate the aberrant theology and practices of the modern Charismatic movement? This is new wave New Evangelicalism in stark relief.

Are you prepared to send your student to a school where “Reformed Continuationists,” gives the university president “great confidence” and that they, Charismatic pastors and churches, “get what matters most?”

If acceptance of the “modern Charismatic Movement” is a component of the education you want for your young person then NIU appears to be the right choice for you.

At some point Dr. Olson must begin answering questions. Until Matt Olson answers questions in precise terms he is causing confusion and uncertainty about where Northland is headed and/or going to stand. Clearly, NIU is not what it once was as Northland Baptist Bible College. It has changed! Under Matt Olson Northland has changed, “radically” some would say.

In the next article I am going to post a short series of questions that any pastor or parent can ask Dr. Olson. They are brief, simple, but penetrating questions that can’t be answered with imprecise language or vague terminology. These questions get right to heart of the actual changes at NIU and others that may have already taken place or appear to be just over the horizon.


LM

Footnotes:
1) Is NIU, “Opposed to and Reject[ing of] the Modern Charismatic Movement?”
2) Northland Undergraduate Catalog, Articles of Faith 
3) Source, Wikipedia, accessed August 23, 2012
4) SGM’s Pastors Conference

Ligon Duncan is the keynote speaker for this conference. Among non-separatist evangelicals Ligon Duncan is best known for co-founding T4G, but especially for ecumenical compromise in having joined with Al Mohler to sign the Manhattan Declaration alongside apostates and Roman Catholic priests.

5) Ian McConnell: Revitalizing Instead of Planting

Is Northland International University “Opposed to and Reject[ing of] the Modern Charismatic Movement?”

Beginning in October 2010 IDOTG has exposed and addressed a number of significant changes at Northland International University (NIU) the former Northland Baptist Bible College (NBBC). Most recent was the Q&A Interview Series with former NIU faculty member Dr. Dana Everson. Today, we are going to consider another change in trajectory for NIU by President Matt Olson.  Dr. Olson has moved beyond issues of music, discipline and legalism into compromise of doctrinal and institutional fidelity. On July 2, 2012 from his personal blog Dr. Olson wrote, 

“I have great confidence in this next generation. They get what matters most. This was evidenced in my visit Sunday to Grace Bible Church in Philadelphia, where Ian McConnell serves as the pastor for preaching and vision. It was great to connect with some Northland alumni at Grace as well. Danny Adams (and his wife Becky [Dillabaugh]) serves as the the [sic] pastor for children’s ministries. Jesse Trach is currently an elder in training and being evaluated for pastoral ministry and Nathan Branine is attending Grace while making much of Jesus in the Philadelphia school systems. Come the beginning of September Greg Dietrich and his wife will be relocating to Philadelphia to attend Grace and work remotely for us at Northland.”1

A first read the paragraph seems harmless until you review the doctrinal statement of the Grace Bible Church.  There you find that among its, “Beliefs: We are evangelical, Reformed, and continuationist.”2

“Continuationist” is a contemporary term for those who believe and teach that the 1^st century church sign gifts of tongues, prophecy, miracles and healings have continued without interruption. The “continuationst” believes the sign gifts are presently active and should be sought after today. This teaching has been gaining traction in some circles of Fundamentalism.3

The Grace Bible Church site lists itself as one of the family of Sovereign Grace Churches.  C. J. Mahaney is a charismatic and co-founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM). Mahaney, like John Piper is another who believes the 1^st century sign gifts are in operation today.  The Grace Bible Church links to SGM where you will read that, “One of the primary connections among Sovereign Grace churches is our commitment to a common Statement of Faith, which we summarize as evangelical, Reformed, and charismatic.”4

Is it possible Matt Olson unwittingly endorsed the Grace Bible Church legitimizing sign gifts theology of the Charismatic Movement? 

Let us consider whether or not NIU’s board of directors faces a serious doctrinal problem?  Each of the following paragraphs appear in Northland’s 2012-2013 Undergraduate and 2011-2013 Northland Graduate School Academic Catalogs.5

“The university’s position is not to cooperate with any organization or movement that is connected with apostasy or that places less than primary emphasis on the authority of the Word of God. Northland International University does not accept the philosophy, position, or practice of the National Council of Churches in America or the World Council of Churches. Furthermore, Northland is opposed to Liberalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, Hyper-Calvinism, and the Charismatic Movement.” (Ecclesiastical Separation, p.9.)

“We believe God has given spiritual gifts to Christians to serve in and through the local church. Every believer has at least one gift, and the use of the gifts is always for the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God. Among the gifts listed in the Bible, we believe that sign gifts (miracles, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy) were temporary in nature and given to the church in its infant state before the completion of the canon of Scripture. Therefore, we reject the modern Charismatic Movement and the confusion it has brought. (Romans 12:6–8; I Corinthians 12:1–11, 13:8; Ephesians 4:11–12)” (Articles of Faith, p. 12.)

“Thus we cannot accept the position reflected in the Ecumenical Movement, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, or the various branches of the Charismatic Movement.  We believe cooperation should be limited to those of like precious faith. (Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 6:19-20; II Corinthians 6:14-17; I Thessalonians 5:22; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; I John 2:15, 17; II John 9, 10.) (Articles of Faith, p. 12.)

We have three statements from the Northland Graduate School Academic Catalog that unequivocally opposes and rejects the Charismatic Movement signs and wonders teaching.  The academic catalog explicitly rejects cooperation with the Charismatic Movement.  Yet, Matt Olson has honored the men and embraced the ministry of a church within the Sovereign Grace, Charismatic Movement. If he made a genuine mistake he needs to realize that his blog article has created a great deal of confusion and dismay for his own constituency and take immediate steps to clarify NIU’s position on the Charismatic Movement.

There is, however, another consideration. A current Northland staff member (Greg Dietrich) will remain employed by Northland while in Philadelphia and a member of this church. Northland will pay salary to a man who will be actively participating in and under the authority of a church that is advancing the Charismatic Movement.6

At present my understanding is that every Fall during In-service meetings NIU staff and faculty are asked to sign a statement affirming they read the Handbook and their acceptance of it. The Handbook includes general information, policies and the doctrinal statement of the school. Matt Olson himself would have been required to sign this agreement when he came on board at Northland.  I believe students have an exit process when they graduate in which they reaffirm their agreement with NIU’s doctrinal statement.

Any school and its board has the right to set their standards and statement of faith.  Unless something has changed faculty, staff, and students must sign their agreement with the doctrinal statement, which includes rejection of the Charismatic Movement. Have the employment requirements changed? Has the language on the Charismatic Movement been revised or removed from the Articles of Faith and Handbook?

How can NIU include a member of a Charismatic church on its payroll when the application for and renewal of employment requires opposition to and rejection of the Charismatic Movement?

Not so long ago Matt Olson and Les Ollila insisted NIU is “unchanged” in philosophy of music and theology. On Northland’s music philosophy Matt Olson wrote, “Philosophically, it is unchanged.  Let me say it again...unchanged.” (An Open Letter from Dr. Matt Olson of NIU, Nov. 2010.) Dr. Ollila wrote,

“As we have attempted to responsibly adjust the way the vision and philosophy is applied in certain settings at our institution, the foundational principles and historic theological positions to which we have always been committed remain unchanged.” (Is Northland Changing? A Chancellor’s Perspective from Dr. Les Ollila, Dec. 2010. [bold added])

Historically changes in music and association eventually lead to a change in doctrine or reveal a doctrinal change that has already taken place. This has happened at NIU. It began partially through new associations with non-separatist so-called “conservative” evangelicals.7

The NBBC Position Statement on Contemporary Issues in Christianity, NIU’s Handbooks and Articles of Faith state that Charismatic theology is opposed and rejected by the University. Today, Northland’s president enthusiastically lauds a church and NIU graduates who are Reformed and charismatic.

“We believe God has given spiritual gifts to Christians to serve in and through the local church. Every believer has at least one gift, and the use of the gifts is always for the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God. Among the gifts listed in the Bible, we believe that sign gifts have ceased for today. Therefore, we reject the modern Charismatic Movement and the confusion it has brought. (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, 13:8; Ephesians 4:11–12).... Thus, we cannot accept the position reflected in the Ecumenical Movement, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism or the various branches of the Charismatic Movement.8

“Sign gifts have ceased...we reject the modern Charismatic movement,” was the position of the former NBBC, but apparently NOT anymore.  Dr. Olson wrote that the Grace Bible Church, a Charismatic church, and these Northland graduates give him, “confidence in the next generation...they get what matters most.” That is no mild or grudging acceptance of the Charismatic church and NIU graduates serving there. Charismatics, “get what matters most?” 

This is a major change of a “historic theological position.”  

Matt Olson’s statements on the Grace Bible Church are a clear contradiction of published NIU doctrinal positions on the Charismatic Movement.   Do the NIU Articles of Faith stand for something or will they be pushed aside? In my opinion, it is fair to ask Matt Olson, any NIU administrator and board member:

Does Northland International University Stand “Opposed to and Reject the modern Charismatic Movement?”

The NIU board of directors has a decision to make: Insist Matt Olson 1) Correct the mistake he has made in regard to NIU’s position on the Charismatic Movement or in his capacity as NIU president, live by NIU’s stated doctrinal positions. 2)Ignore or revise NIU’s current position on Charismatic theology to allow for cooperative fellowship and efforts with Charismatic ministries such as Matt Olson has initiated.

What Should You Expect if Your Young Person is Enrolled at NIU?

Current NIU Student's FaceBook

NIU’s recent changes have shown us that its student body will be taught and influenced to tolerate, accept and/or embrace CCM’s “rock” styling, Calvinistic theology,9 the “Lordship Salvation” interpretation of the gospel10 and Charismatic sign gifts.  These things have made inroads at NIU. Matt Olson has yoked the university to ministries, opened the university’s classrooms and chapel to guest speakers who believe, preach and defend these views. 

If the parents and/or pastor of a local church reject those things, but has their young person attending NIU he/she may have already been influenced to embrace what Matt Olson is embracing.  Years of nurturing and teaching can be undone in just one semester under the kind of influence now wide spread at NIU.

NIU is becoming the 21^st century equivalent of Tennessee Temple, Cedarville and Liberty University.

Open Questions to Dr. Olson and Ollila:

Dr. Olson: Can you state in unequivocal terms that your comments in regard to the Sovereign Grace Ministry’s (Charismatic) Grace Bible Church and employment of Greg Dietrich are consistent with the explicit statements from the NIU Handbook and Articles of Faith?  In your capacity as NIU president do you:

1) “Reject the modern Charismatic Movement and the confusion it has brought?
2) Are you: “Opposed to the Charismatic Movement?” 3) In doctrine is NIU “philosophically unchanged?” 4) Can you, in good conscience sign agreement with the NIU’s Handbook statements on Ecclesiastical Separation and the Articles of Faith on “spiritual gifts to Christians?”

In December 2010 Dr. Ollila stated that, “…the foundational principles and historic theological positions to which we have always been committed remain unchanged.” In light of NIU president Matt Olson’s lavish praise of a Charismatic Church and pastor, directing NIU funds to a graduate/employee who will put himself under the authority of a Charismatic ministry, 

Dr. Ollila: Do you stand by your Dec. 2010 Chancellor’s Perspective that NIU’s “historical theological positions…remain unchanged?

These are questions that every concerned pastor and parent should be asking Dr. Olson and Dr. Ollila. In his 2010 Open Letter Dr. Olson wrote, “If you have further questions or comments, please feel free to write or call me. I welcome that.” We trust they welcome an opportunity to acknowledge a mistake was made in regard to the Charismatic Grace Bible Church or affirm that NIU presently finds the modern Charismatic Movement (sign gifts) a legitimate theological position today.

Does the convergence with a Charismatic church exemplify the kind of “Great Commission Living” NIU is teaching and preparing its student for?

May the leadership of Northland International University be awakened to, repent of and reverse their course away from the new wave of New Evangelical compromise. I hope and pray that pastors, parents and college students will prayerfully consider how God would have them respond to the changes in philosophy, adjustments in application and deviation from historic theological positions of the former Northland Baptist Bible College.

LM

Please continue this discussion at Part Two

Site Publisher Addendum:

Don Johnson of An Ox Goad, eh blog published on this subject August 13, 2012.  I highly recommend Getting What Matters Most for Don’s treatment of the subject.

Related Reading:

NIU Presents Executive Pastor of Grace Community Church to Its Student Body

Is NIU “Unchanged?” Northland Baptist Bible College Position Statement on Contemporary Issues in Christianity

Sharper Iron & Censorship by Omission

Footnotes:

1) Confidence in the Next Generation, accessed August 12, 2012.

2) Grace Bible Church: Our Family of Churches

3) Because of their cooperative efforts with the so-called “conservative” evangelicals and consequent silence on the aberrant theology of their new friends in evangelicalism Kevin Bauder, Dave Doran, and Tim Jordan have also contributed to the influence of Charismatic theology in fundamental circles.

4) Sovereign Grace Ministries, accessed August 14, 2012. Of SGM Wikipedia notes: 

“The organization of over 70 member churches grew out of the charismatic renewal of the 1970s under the leadership of Catholic Charismatic Larry Tomczak and has its roots in the Gathering of Believers (now Covenant Life Church) in Maryland. It was formally established in 1982   CJ Mahaney and Larry Tomczak were the co-founders of both Covenant Life Church and People of Destiny International (PDI), the former name of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Mahaney describes himself as a ‘former pothead.’  Both Mahaney and Tomczak withdrew from the Charismatic Catholic scene shortly before the creation of Covenant Life Church.”

5) Northland Graduate School Academic Catalog, accessed at the NIU website, August 14, 2012, bold added. Northland Undergraduate Catalog, p. 11.

6) At his personal blog 5Solas Greg Dietrich relates that he decided, “to move back to Philadelphia and put ourselves under the care of the elders at Grace Bible Church....” Greg is placing himself under the authority of a Charismatic church.

7) NIU Presents Executive Pastor of Grace Community Church to Its Student Body

8) NIU Faculty & Staff Handbook, 2010-2011, p. 6. Articles of Faith, paragraph 12, Accessed Tuesday, August 14, 2012, bold added.)

9) Calvinism includes extra-biblical teachings such as: a Limited Atonement, regeneration prior to and apart from faith and double predestination. Some Calvinists do not embrace all of these.

10) Lordship Salvation is a works based message that corrupts the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor. 11:3) and frustrates grace (Gal. 2:21.) See- Summaryof Lordship Salvation From a Single Page and Do Fundamentalists and Evangelicals, Believe, Preach and Defend the [Same] Gospel?