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?