Questions Answered on the Changes at NIU: An Insider’s Report, Final
Q20. Can you comment on the
morale of the staff, the students?
Some staff (mainly those who have left) are disappointed with some of the
changes. Others question some of the changes, but are reluctant to speak
up or leave the institution for various reasons. Some are happily engaged and on board with Matt Olson. The students that most strongly objected to the “new” Northland have mostly not returned. I know several who have
transferred to other schools. Some students have justified remaining because
they are close to graduation or because their parents felt they should finish
at NIU and make the best of it.
Q21. Are you aware of the
many friends that have distanced themselves from NIU? Can you articulate why
that is in your opinion?
I have heard various reports. One caution to those who would ask
questions of NIU administration:
Be sure you are not relying simply on tradition, but on solid Biblical principles for expressing your concerns.NIU is big right now on “sola scriptura” almost as if the gospel is the ONLY thing that matters. Of COURSE the gospel is the central message of the ministry, but I like Dr. Bob Jones III’s series on Phil. 1:27 in BJU chapels [see below] last school year in which he reminds us that the gospel includes the redemption story of Christ and the immediate conduct related to the gospel. I consider this an excellent, thought-provoking message.
Q22. NIU says they still use
the KJV from the chapel and classroom podiums? Is that observably true? Is the translation issue a non issue to NIU
administration?
Yes, it was used regularly from the pulpit most of the time. On occasion,
we would hear the ESV, or NKJV quoted. In staff meetings, the ESV and
occasionally other versions were quoted.
Q23. What type of student is
attracted to NIU compared to previous years?
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| NIU Student's FaceBook Profile |
In my last 2-3 years, there seemed to be a growing interest in missions.
Many sincere, God-seeking students came hoping to find God’s will for the
promptings they sensed. As far
as personal standards, I can only speak empirically: It seemed to me that the
percentage of students coming in having already accepted CCM was growing. In my
informal conversations with colleagues in other Christian colleges, this seemed
to be true for them in their situations as well.
I wonder if many good-willed students come to NIU based on the reputation
of the college from the Les Ollila years, but I don’t know. I do know that
there are some fine teachers and staff members there who love God, love the
Bible, and truly want to further the ministry of local churches by helping to
train students. I applaud their efforts; but this makes it even more of a
concern to me where the NIU ship is heading.
Closing Thoughts from our Guest Dr. Dana Everson:
I was
and am still more concerned about WHY and HOW Northland has come to their
conclusions about music than exactly WHERE they stand. There are always going
to be slight differences between this school and that, this church and that,
and so on. However, if a church or institution begins to accept the idea that
music is amoral (or, waters down the definition of the term amoral), then
eventually, anything goes. NIU’s board and ADMIN have the legal right to set
their standards anywhere they wish, but in my opinion, they have changed the rules during the game and
at best have created confusion by
HOW they have made their changes.
I trust it’s not too late to encourage everyone associated with NIU to
ask good questions of the leadership. Compare the responses with unchanging Scriptural
principles. Then be willing to do what is right even if it costs you something.
Dr. Dana Everson
Dr. Dana Everson
Site Publisher’s Close:
This concludes the Interview series with Dr. Dana Everson. For anyone who might be interested in finding out what Dr. Everson believes and teaches about music, his Northland doctoral dissertation has been put into book form Sound Roots and is available from his son’s ministry Bible Revival Ministries.
This concludes the Interview series with Dr. Dana Everson. For anyone who might be interested in finding out what Dr. Everson believes and teaches about music, his Northland doctoral dissertation has been put into book form Sound Roots and is available from his son’s ministry Bible Revival Ministries.
Related Reading:
“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. We can put our stamp of approval on counterfeit Christianity.”
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