Northland International University: Plunging Headlong Into a Liberal Entertainment Approach Ministry
Preface (2/15/13): In paragraph two below is a link to photos from the event itself. This is a video promotion for the I am Redeemed 2013 Tour: Osh Kosh, WI concert. If certain photos from the concert were made public you would see both NIU president Matt Olson and NIU faculty Trevor Gearhart in formal active (non-performance) roles with the bands at this CCM/Rock concert. This was more than a student recruiting effort. NIU personnel were active in the promotion of and participation in the event itself. Please continue to this thread comment for further details and commentary.Northland International University (NIU) recently participated (Feb. 2, 2013) in the “I Am Redeemed” CCM/Rock concert tour. The location was Community Church in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin.1 Bands that performed at the event were: Citizen Way, Chris August and Big Daddy Weave. (I will not link to any of the bands’ web sites.)
I have viewed the concert photos myself.* In them I see NIU faculty member Trevor Gearhart (photo purged) with a microphone speaking on stage with CCM’s Citizen Way. NIU president Dr. Matt Olson is pictured giving a devotional at the event. NIU students are pictured at the Big Daddy Weave display, possibly as workers. NIU’s display table is at the event. There are many more.
Knowledgeable sources confirm that approximately 40 students from NIU were taken to the concert. Matt Olson gave the devotional. Northland has nothing about this event on their website. Just like when they moved from KJV to NIV – they make no announcements, they just do it! If a picture says 1,000 words – the pictures from the event say VOLUMES.
Just over
two years ago Dr. Matt Olson, in regard to NIU’s Music Philosophy,
declared, “Philosophically, it is unchanged. Let me say it again…unchanged.”2
Some of you might go to the Big Daddy Weave site and listen to a sample of their music. What you will
listen to is unquestionably Rock-based. How can we understand Matt Olson’s
thinking? The music on NIU’s campus may not be quite as radical,3 but to suggest that
NIU “is unchanged” in their musical philosophy and toleration is simply
unbelievable. If this CCM event truly represents where Matt has gone, and taken
NIU with him, then NIU is plunging headlong into the liberal
entertainment-oriented approach.
 |
| NIU Student |
I have received independent confirmation that Northland is now marketing itself to Christian rock concerts. NIU’s participation at this concert is not a fluke. It is a strategic decision by the administration.
Formal
participation in the I am Redeemed tour is another one of NIU’s coming
out events. They are caving faster than I think anyone imagined they would.
Matt Olson, Les Ollila and the NIU administration are not even trying to
justify being on the edge, so to speak. They’re just doing what comes naturally
to them now. What a waste of time, energy, creativity, and resources from a
formerly good Bible College.
I can’t
imagine how anyone who sees what’s going on at NIU could possibly be on the
fence by this time. Nevertheless, some self-described “militant”
separatists, such as Dave Doran, still work in cooperative ministry with Northland as if nothing has changed.4 What NIU
has devolved into is a modern day tragedy for the once fine Northland Baptist
Bible College.
LM
UPDATE (April 4, 2013) NIU has made public that it now has its own in-house CCM/Rock band. See, The Real “Unchanged” NIU Comes Forward
*The photos are copyrighted. The copyright owner, Lamplight Productions, does not give permission for their reproduction here, therefore, links are provided to Lamplight Production’s public viewing website.
UPDATE (April 4, 2013) NIU has made public that it now has its own in-house CCM/Rock band. See, The Real “Unchanged” NIU Comes Forward
*The photos are copyrighted. The copyright owner, Lamplight Productions, does not give permission for their reproduction here, therefore, links are provided to Lamplight Production’s public viewing website.
Footnotes:
2) An Open Letter from Dr. Matt Olson of Northland International University, November 24, 2010.
3) NIU’s music on campus may not be as radical as that of Big Daddy Weave, but it is very close as shown here. See- NIU Students RAP to “Jesus Loves Me”
In April 2012 Matt Olson officially accompanied and hosted
an NIU group of students at the Together for the Gospel (T4G)
conference. Dr. Olson spoke of it from his blog in an April 15, 2012 article. He
speaks of T4G only in glowing terms. His personal attendance shows his
endorsement and encouragement to other men to embrace T4G. Northland’s
doctrinal statement rejects the modern Charismatic Movement and New Evangelicalism.
Just as it was with Matt’s praise for a CJ Mahaney SGM Church, promoting a trip to this CCM event is a
breach of terms in the university’s published statement of separation.
I just have to ask: Does anyone think Sharper Iron (Aaron Blumer, Jim Peet) wants anything to do with reporting this event from their site?
ReplyDeleteLM
Why isn't this being discussed over there? I would really like to see some more conversation about this.
DeleteYou asked, “Why isn't this being discussed over there [SI]? I would really like to see some more conversation about this.”
DeleteSI has a long term track record of bias, double-standards, and especially applicable for this case “censorship by omission,” which I have documented. See the articles below at my secondary blog, Sharper Iron: In the Iron Skillet
SI is not about to open their forum for legitimate scrutiny of a favored school or person. Aaron Blumer may very well want to run this story, but he is not about to unless some other site/blog does so first, just as long as it is not this blog. He would be happy to ride the coat tails of some other site doing the heavy lifting, but he is not going to have SI take the lead. You watch, if any other blog goes with what is happening at NIU, SI will probably mention it in their Filings. Maybe not. With after Janz and Aaron having driven off almost every balanced, caring fundamentalist all he has left at SI are a few angry yf’s and apologists for the so-called “conservative” evangelicals. Aaron would have a firestorm, an inside rebellion if he actually took on this issue at NIU in a serious critical review. He can’t afford to alienate any of what he has left actively commenting there and he won’t risk it over NIU.
Finally, can you imagine how fast SI (Aaron and Jim Peet) would have pounced if this had been BJU, PCC or maybe Ambassador?
LM
SI & NIU “Censorship by Omission”
“SI is a Fundamentalist Place?” The Facade & Veneer Is Stripped Away
SI’s Deplorable Moderator Actions Run Off Another
I don't see the pictures you linked to on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteIt appears to be a good link. Try this-
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.419497594799351.97669.371747579574353&type=1
LM
The Trevor Gearhart photo has been purged, not unexpected.
DeleteLM
Lou, What is the picture on the lower right of your post from? It doesn't say. I'm talking about the one with the caption "Matt Olson Front Row, Center Right". Thanks, Mat.
ReplyDeleteThat is the Northland group shot from T4G in April 2012. Read the adjacent text I included.
DeleteLM
Thank you for making me aware of this. I went through the pictures though and did not see the one with Matt Olson giving the devotional - is that at a different site?
ReplyDeleteLamplight Productons and other sites have purged virtually every photo from the concert that depicts any NIU staff or students at the CCM/Rock concert. More on the sudden removal of photos coming later.
DeleteLM
Lou,
ReplyDeleteLet us speak with the frankness of Scripture concerning the nature of these things happening around us in Fundamentalism. John the Apostle warned the early church with this incredible last thought in his first epistle, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." We might easily dismiss this imperative at first as something for others in some other age and not a necessary consideration for us as we would never assemble or erect an image. During my reading of Stephen Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God, I came to understand why the Apostle said what he did. Idolatry does not begin with a physical image. It begins by a simple process of fashioning God according to one's own understanding of Him. A careful study of some of the most blatant, egregious examples of idolatry in the OT (the Golden Calf of Aaron, the images of Micah in Judges, and the calf of Bethel and Dan of Jeroboam) reveals that they all had an intention that the images would represent the true God. They did not intend to have another or a new god, just God different from what He revealed Himself to be. If one further examines these OT examples, he would discover that the tell-tale sign that people have fashioned a God of their own understanding is when they change the way they worship Him--worship according to their will not God's. We either worship the God of the Book or we worship an idol.
As a graduate of Northland, I can honestly say that I am grieved to see the direction this school is headed. I am not talking specifically about their stance on music or movies but the fact that the student enrollment continues to drop, great faculty/staff are continually being let go and the efforts to reverse this aren't working. I loved my time at Northland and am so thankful for the sacrifices of many who helped shape me to be who I am today! It's because of this gratitude that I am so grieved to think that the end might be near for what used to be a thriving ministry. Whether you agree with the changes or not, you cannot deny the fact that since these changes were made and boasted.... enrollment has dropped every semester. Compare the size of the student body and faculty/staff team now to 4 or 5 years ago. At what point will the board say enough is enough and make the necessary changes needed to keep this valuable ministry alive?
ReplyDeleteI read this early this morning and followed the link to the Facebook pics, Northland faculty and all. By the time a friend went to look an hour later, the pictures were gone. Hmm....there's evidently a cover-up going on.
ReplyDeleteI caught wind of this last week, and verified it with a friend at Northland, who also stated the purpose of going was for "recruiting purposes." Even more disappointing. Meanwhile the PR we hear is "we're not changing."
Yes, the photos have gone missing just after I published this article. Coincidence? Not likely. You cannot hide what took place, but we ask why would they try to hide it now?
DeleteThe founder/owner of lamplight is on faculty at NIU. This explains the sudden removal of the pictures.
ReplyDeletehttp://lamplightproductions.net/?page_id=742
http://www.ni.edu/schools/nbbc/academics/faculty/
The removal of the photos was anticipated by me. Northland cannot hide their participation, it was a public event. But why is there an effort to bury the Northland connection?
DeleteIf God is moving in wonderful ways at NIU, including reaching out to prospective students using Rock concerts, why the effort to hide it?
Since NIU believes in this form of ministry they should proudly feature it at their own web site.
When NIU says it exists to ultimately glorify God isn't it odd that they have to hide how they think glorifying God ought to be done?
LM
The last 2 1/2 years or so of Northland's altered direction has been a saddening event to behold. Even more saddening when one realizes that there has been several of us who have expressed our concerns with what we were seeing and hearing and we were rebuffed, dismissed. The very people who have sent students, the very people who have assisted in the viability of Northland. Because of the fundamentalist departure from Northland, they must recruit from somewhere to gain the massive number of students lost over the previous 2 1/2 years; enter, going to CCM concerts, visiting Rick Holland's church, visiting a SGM church in Philly.
ReplyDeleteIt grieves me to see this downfall of a once fine institution.
Ps E,
DeleteI too warned 2 years ago about the compromise, and was castigated as ignorant, hyper-separational, out of touch, and dividing the body of Christ,etc, by NIU students and alumni. This is what the faculty and administration tell students to repeat as a reaction to any alumni/pastors who have expressed documented and clear deviation from the Bible and Northland's former position and practice. Young, impressionable, and less discerning students admire their teachers and the NIU admin and so they repeat this NE-like response to any critic of the new NIU. The current NIU faculty and staff will have much to give account for, in inoculating an entire generation against Biblical separation, as well as dishonoring the discernment of the elders/pastors/churches God placed in their lives to protect them from error and apostasy. There are many of us out there who are saddened that our foresight was correct and our fore-warnings were rejected.
Dr. Clearwaters used to say, often, "What Jesus are we talking about!" Dr. Clearwaters then heard the catcalls and abuse of the liberals and moderates in the old NBC convention because Dr. Clearwaters was not afraid of standing for the truth. The "fundamentalist" leaders of today have spines made of Jello, not of steel. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNorthland has lost its roots and has strayed from its foundation from Christ. The rules are so relaxed now it is unbelievable! Their girls do not dress modestly and there is no curfew or rules about males and females "hanging out." It really is a pity.
ReplyDeleteOur clothing speaks a language, and the immodest and slothful attire of the women in the photo (and to a degree the men too) and in other Northland photos says about all one needs to know about what is truly in their hearts. CCM usually follows right along with the downgrade of such standards. The acceptance of women church leaders and homosexuality comes next, along with a measure of mysticism and new age influences such as seen in the emerging churches.
ReplyDeleteThe same kinds of photos can be found on the websites of many similar colleges/universities. But the drop in standards didn't happen recently, it's been happening little by little for decades.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteFrom the "Lamplight Productions" web page:
ReplyDelete"Trevor Gearhart has also joined the firm as an Event Consultant working with the firm on the newly developed music concerts partnering with the churches and organizations in Wisconsin to develop more events in the future."
And from Northland's Faculty page:
http://www.ni.edu/videos/faculty/gearhart.php
Where is this announcement about Trevor? Could you provide the link? So it looks like we can probably expect more rock concerts in the greater Northland area in the future. Dislike.
DeleteSee Lamplight's webpage here: http://lamplightproductions.net/?page_id=742
DeleteSecond from the bottom paragraph. Incidentally, Trevor is a PR rep at Northland, Jonathan Bailie is the marketing director at Northland, and Steve Whigham is the chief advancement officer in administration at Northland. And all three are part of Lamplight. The latter two both joined Northland staff at the same time as the name change to NIU. Note the coming events of more CCM concerts being hosted by Lamplight this coming spring (click on the "tickets" tab), at the Redemption Hill Church in Kingsford, MI and Fox River Christian Church in Waukesha, WI.
Earlier I had posted and then accidentally deleted the following comment that was submitted anonymously.
ReplyDeleteAs a Northland Student, and a female student, I can say that I have been convicted over and over about the area of modesty. There is constant communication between students, faculty and staff, and even Dr. Olson about dress and making sure that we are appropriately and modestly clothed. Instead of giving us lists and exact rules about what we can and cannot wear, they are teaching us how to make wise decisions on our own so that someday when I am in out of school and completely on my own I will be able to discern biblically what is right and what is wrong for me to wear. On many different occasions, Dr. Olson has talked with the girls on campus as a father would to his daughters, encouraging and reminding us of the necessity to be clothed modestly and humbly.
As far as the curfew goes, it is still 10:30 PM Sunday through Thursday nights and 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday nights. In fact, security even locks the doors and they have alarms on them if they are opened. I'm not sure what was meant by "hanging out", but there are definite guidelines and rules regarding guys and girls "hanging out".
As a current NIU student, I would only ask that those posting on here please (Northland students included) remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We all have differences, we all have differing opinions and views, yet we all believe in the same gospel. We are all sinners saved through grace and faith alone. We are all placed here on this earth to bring glory to God's great name and to proclaim that glory and hope to a world that is very desperately in need of it. Let us remember that when we allow discord and strife into the body of Christ, the world is continuing on its race towards eternity. It is my prayer and I believe I can say, the prayer of my generation, that the world no longer see a group of hypocrites who would rather sit and argue and question each other than reach out and love those around us.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. While you have really not touched on the main theme of this article I felt you deserved to be heard. You may find some will have a different opinion of what is modest, but I do not want a protracted discussion of that subject since it would steer this thread way off the matter of NIU participating at the "I am Redeemed" CCM/ROCK concert.
DeleteKind regards,
LM
Thank you, female student from Northland, for sharing your heart and providing more details. Your motives are commendable. The problem, however, is this: There are reports from members at local churches surrounding Northland that female students come to church in tight pants, sometimes tight blue jeans. Something they even reveal cleavage.
DeleteWhile everyone wants to promote modesty, and I don't question Northland's desire to do so, by not having detailed guidelines and enforcing them, they are in effect allowing/promoting this problem to continue in the community and in area churches. The ladies have given up on (or are not being taught the importance of) being modest for the sake of deference, for the sake of possibly offending others. To offend my brother's conscience in the area of modesty is sin against Christ.
No one appears to take this issue seriously at Northland anymore. What does the Bible say? I will not eat (idol's meat) if it might cause my brother to be offended, if it might wound his or her weak conscience. I forego my liberty to serve my brother and avoid offense. This biblical principle is being ignored.
A spade is a spade. Let's call it what it is. Tight blue jeans are immodest. Cleavage is immodest. Immodesty needs to stop because it's sin.
This is not the Northland it used to be. Northland used to require specific standards of its young ladies, and they looked so feminine and modest in public—and they avoided offense of this kind. Now they blend in with everybody else at Walmart. There is no distinction. And are we not called to be peculiar people, different from those around us? Shouldn't this distinction be reflected in our appearance?
Thanks for bringing this up Anonymous. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 have such broad application for relationships among Christians, but they are largely ignored by Christians today.
DeleteOne small note: When both passages talk about "having offense" and "to offend" they are using the word which means to stumble. It is referring to sin, rather than merely being offended as we use that phrase today. It is a serious thing when Christians add to the burden of sin that Christ bore for us.
I can understand Lou not posting this because of the slight straying off topic, but the principle does apply to music as well when someone is convicted out of the CCM bandwagon (no pun intended), but Northland temps him back in.
I think the focus of comments should be maintained upon the heteropraxy revealed by NIU staff and student body's participation in the event mentioned. To profess orthodoxy in a doctrinal statement and then contradict that profession with such practices is a paradox and hypocrisy. I doubt NIU will be persuaded to change, but there should an attempt by anyone who loves the Lord and loves God's Word to persuade every student possible to leave there or never enroll there. I will warn those students with some simple words-what value will be given to a degree with NIU as its distributor? Such a degree will be a constant problem for you and will cast very dark shadows upon your credibility for the rest of your life and ministry. Do you ready want a degree from an institution for which you will have to apologize or explain for the rest of your life?
ReplyDelete"by not having detailed guidelines and enforcing them, [Northland is,] in effect[,] allowing/promoting this problem to continue in the community and in area churches."
ReplyDeleteI think this comment reveals a misunderstanding of how the local church ought to work. If church members/authorities take issue with how their (associate) members dress, they are the ones who should confront the issue. The church, not the college, has the primary authority in situations of moral ignorance/failures of members/attendees(to whatever degree those are actually going on).
This is probably the only thing I can see right now to commend Northland about-- the relinquishing to the parents and local churches and individual consciences where certain lines ought to be drawn.
Keep in mind that these area churches are populated by Northland faculty, staff, and more students. Do you really think a local church would create rules for students because the university dropped the ball? That can become a very awkward thing to do. Yes, the local churches need to have guidelines, and some do. But keep in mind also that many of these students come and don't join—they aren't members, so you can't treat them as such. So what's a church to do? Have ushers at the door and turn students away? If the university hadn't dropped the ball, local churches wouldn't be put in this awkward situation.
DeleteI am a recent alumnus of Northland....I came while NBBC was still its name, was present during the name change, and graduated not long afterward. Growing up with Northland, going to camp, conferences, and college since 9 years old (not to mention several family members who also went there), this most recent news truly grieves me as if I'm losing a member of my family. As a member of a traveling team during the months surrounding the name change, we were constantly trying to quell fears in local churches. Even though I wasn't convinced myself, we were told to spread the word that things weren't going to change. In the couple years since then, it has been remarkable to see how things have in fact changed as I continue to interact with friends still there. Most of these changes, endorsements/partnerships/fellowships with people, and mass exodus/firings of faculty have already been mentioned, but this latest incident really takes the cake. Obviously they are to the point where they really don't care about their constituency and want to do their own thing. As the above commenter mentioned, will I have to explain to people my diploma in 10 years to people who want to paint us NBBC/NIU alumni with a broad brush?
ReplyDeleteI have loved Northland, my time there, and the difference they made in significant spiritual decisions I made at camp and college. But I can no longer recommend them to the youth in my church. Christian college students are at a very impressionable age in their life - they need standards to guide their lives by, not a grand buffet of 'decide for yourselves'. Really disheartening. I never thought I'd have to discourage people from going to Northland.
I hope and pray that administration will turn things around, but as a good businessman friend of mine says, "do right...you can't buy a reputation back." Damage has already been done, and while I hate to admit it, it seems that with declining enrollment, the proof is in the pudding....I'm wondering if this will be another Pillsbury. Even after Pillsbury's compromises of the 80's, they underwent a great turnaround afterward, but still couldn't get past its tarnished reputation with their former constituencies. I can say this, because I was a displaced student when they closed. A very sad day.
Yours is a very fair commentary of the state of things at NIU. Furthermore, yours often repeated sad testimony of what the former NBBC once was, but has tragically become. IMO, NIU is unrecoverable!
DeleteLM
Preface Continued:
ReplyDeleteAlthough I was hesitant to link readers to the promotional video in particular I believe readers need to understand just how far the former NBBC as NIU has drifted from its former biblically separatist stance as in regard to the modern day CCM/Rock culture. Every concerned pastor, parent and student must read Is NIU “Unchanged?” There read the former NBBC’s Position Statement on Contemporary Issues in Christianity: Principles of Music. In part NBBC’s position 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 of traditional hymns, recordings with the typical rhythm section of bass and drums used in pop and dance music.”
Does NIU avoid, “music classified as ‘Contemporary Christian Music’?” Not anymore!
We are witness to a modern day tragedy: The fall and eventual demise of a once fine fundamental Baptist, biblically separatist school.
LM
Dr. Ketcham has written an excellent article today on his blog that seems appropriate in light of this discussion.
ReplyDeletehttp://lineuponlinedmm.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-evolution-of-taxonomy-in.html
Yes, he has. Thanks for the link. Dr. Ketchum and I briefly discussed his article yesterday. He gave his permission for its reproduction here. I will be posting the article, in its entirety, in the new future. See,
DeleteThe Evolution of Taxonomy in Theological Divisions
Sample excerpt,
“Gospel Centrism takes an inclusive, fluid, wishy-washy approach to the practice of separation. Others taking borderline positions on Gospel Centrism, like Kevin Bauder, David Doran, Timothy Jordan, and Douglas McLachlan are trying to define their own taxonomy. I like these guys. I like a lot of what they have to say. Men like Matt Olson of Northland International University started down a slippery slope and appears to have completely lost his footing and theological anchors. The sad thing about Matt is that no one knows what his taxonomy is yet. We know where he is not anymore, but do not yet know in what taxonomy he will land. In doing what they are doing, all these men become Distortionists and Contortionists in varying degrees. They are Contortionists because of all the hoops through which they must jump to justify their distortions of the doctrine of separation. The Atheist does not pose the threat to the purity of the local church like the Distortionist does. The Distortionist works inside the camp, at least until he is put out of the camp. Some of these guys suffer under an illusion that they are still inside the camp. The Lord’s camp is stationary and right where it was when they left it. God intended His children to cross the Jordan; not to stand in the middle of it. If they stay in their wishy-washy river long enough, they will soon find themselves in the midst of the Dead Sea.”
To those Northland Baptist Bible College graduates, and any Christian who in the face of pressure to bend and harsh criticism from men who view themselves as academic elites among, I am grateful for your years of faithful, uncompromising lives and ministry. You are to be commended for staying faithful to the Lord and His Word. Especially when so many among us have caved in to the allurement of the world’s culture, eschew or redefine God’s mandates for separation for the sake of a pure church, tolerate or embrace aberrant theology, and ignore or excuse ecumenical compromise. Then they have the nerve to give God the credit for their having arrived at an enlightened position.
ReplyDeleteLM
Lou,
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing attention to this important issue. I was just talking with a friend and roomate of mine that graduated with me in 2000, from then NBBC, and he commented that it is a wonder that we even went there in light of what it is now. Their new stance is downright disappointing. I was also one that tried to warn that this was coming from the time of the name change and letters from Doc O and Olson stating that they were not changing. I think time has told a different story. I'm praying that churches take a stand and stop supporting this school that once stood for more biblical principles - as sad as it is to say.
Jim F
Jim:
DeleteLike you there are many, many alumni that realize what has happened to the old NBBC, but are still in stunned disbelief that their once fine school has become so radically different and disappointing.
You wrote, "I was also one that tried to warn that this was coming from the time of the name change and letters from Doc O and Olson stating that they were not changing." Well, Dr. Olson apparently still stands by his earlier statement that NIU is "unchanged."
On Dr. Ollila, no one I know who once heard Les preaching understands how and why he can stand by and even support what the former NBBC has become now.
See, Our Children Learn Not Only What We Teach Them, but by What We Tolerate
LM
I think it is interesting that very few are talking about Les Ollila's role in all of this. He is the silent partner. Here is a man that talked a good talk but has evidently given his full support to Matt Olson in the changes being made at Northland. You do not do the things Matt is doing at the college without support from Ollila and the Patz family. This shows an even deeper problem that has been simmering for quite some time. The principle is this: Be a good separatist when it is popular to be a separatist. When the tide changes, go with the tide. Les Ollila needs to be called out!
ReplyDeleteFrom the few I have heard from that have attempted speaking to Les about what is going on now at NIU I get the strong impression that he is not in the mood to discuss it and is at times nearly unapproachable about the matter. I saw at the NIU site that NIU is holding a tribute event to Les on March 12 to commemorate his 30 years at the school. I wonder if they plan a audio/video presentation covering his 30 years. We'd see the REAL changes in that video from start to end for sure.
DeleteLM
Lou,
DeleteI have to firmly believe that Doc O and the Patz family are solidly behind Northland's changes given the fact that these changes even happened in the first place and based on Dr Harold Paz's recent statements on one of their vidcasts.
Jim F
There is another aspect of this story that is absolutely crucial. Although I do not find myself sharing your position concerning NIU, I find the removal of certain photos as a matter of great concern. And frankly, the removal of these photos demonstrates a phenomenal level of deception that should never been seen in a Christian organization. If the photos were removed because NIU decided that they were wrong in participating in such a concert, then say so. If they stand by what they did, put the photos back. I don't not hesitate to say that this incident is scandalous, and it gives me serious doubt as to the integrity of NIU.
ReplyDeleteLet me put it this way... one photo removed, okay, maybe it was out of focus -- all the photos of everyone linked to NIU removed, well... it's hard to think they were all out of focus. A simple explanation would go a long ways in clarifying this incident.
One of the most telling and crucial photos that was pulled down just minutes after this article published was that of NIU’s Trevor Gearhart on a stage with the three CCM bands. Trevor was holding a microphone and appeared to be conducting an interview or Q&A with the band. My understanding is that Trevor himself asked that the photo be deleted. I have seen that photo and two others of Matt Olson, who in one was speaking to a group at the concert. Without being able to confirm with certainty I understand to that Dr. Olson was at that time giving a devotional to the bands and a group of NIU students. In any event, the sudden disappearance of photos and that the NIU has never posted any word of or photo from the CCM/Rock concert at their own website does not do their institutional integrity well.
ReplyDeleteLM
Honesty. The first motto word of Northland.
DeleteThen NIU ought to live by its motto, "honesty,"in all its new ways of doing things, or have "honesty" struck off its motto.
DeleteLM
Absolutely. If this "new direction" (whether they will admit it or not) is something that God is leading them in, why hide it? Why not shout it from the rooftops? Why not tell the world that God has lead them to change their standards and go in a different direction? Unfortunately, the hiding of it, no matter what their reasoning, comes across as deceit, of trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes. Maybe they are trying to save the camp that still have many conservative churches attending. Maybe they still aren't ready to have alumni know the truth because so many of us would rise up against them. No matter what their reasoning, they look bad. Now if only there were a way to make sure every NBBC graduate was aware. Yes, some would say there is no problem. Some would not really care and some would be adamently opposed. Why not just tell the truth?
DeleteThis honesty problem is one that I commented on OVER and OVER in my alumni survey that they sent out last fall. Stop telling us that "nothing has changed" when we can see for ourselves that SO MUCH has changed. We don't believe you any more and we don't trust you.
Something to consider: Lamplight cannot prohibit you from displaying the pictures in a limited form if the conditions of fair use are met. One of the most import exceptions to copyright is to give other people the right to comment on, criticize, and report on your work.
ReplyDeleteSee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use . This situation fits at least three of the examples given there. The key is “limited use.” I would shrink or crop one of the pictures, like the one with Matt Olson, to a thumbnail size (maybe 128 pixels wide), but be sure it is large enough that Matt is recognizable, and post that claiming fair use. By shrinking it to as small as possible while the subject is still recognizable, you are showing good faith to abide by the law for fair use.
I am not a lawyer, but I do not believe Lamplight could win a complaint against such a display. Any litigation at all, though, would be part of the risk.
Fair use is all well and good, but there's not much you can do when the source scrubs the evidence from their site. One would have to capture the images before they were scrubbed.
DeleteAndy:
DeleteI have heard from several persons who did capture the photos that speak volumes were captured before they were pulled down. I have seen the photos. As so many have noted and asked: Why is Northland trying to hide what they have become if they believe what they are doing is what God would have them do?
LM
Clay L. Nuttall posted an excellent article on his blog yesterday on the subject of "method vs. message". I find it germane to this discussion. You can find the post here:
ReplyDeletehttp://shepherdstaff.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/the-big-lie
The last pargraph of the article sums things up well:
"This discussion is similar to the defense that left-leaning leaders offer in academic institutions. They tell us that they still have their original statement of faith, but it is neither taught nor practiced; it is nothing but paper and ink. This flawed model is where a lot of flawed method comes from. It makes no difference where the error is born; denying the connection between practice and faith, method and message, is downright dangerous."
Thanks for the link. I reproduce many of Dr. Nuttall's article here (with his permission). That one The Big Lie will be here in the coming days.
DeleteLM
I want to remind readers that to date that Sharper Iron has posted nothing whatsoever about this major issue at NIU. At the start of this thread I predicted by question that SI would never post anything about NIU at the CCM/Rock concert. I also made this comment.
ReplyDeleteSI claims, “The site is of special interest to ‘fundamentalists’,…” Yet, nothing at SI from NIU that is of course of very special interest to Fundamentalists.
While you may be upset that NIU has attempted to bury what they are doing in the Northwoods, you might also ask SI’s site publisher, Aaron Blumer, why SI is once again practicing “censorship by omission.” Use this contact form to direct your questions or comments to SI’s leadership.
LM
I think it would be good to find out who Lamplight is, who owns it? Since they have the authority to post and take down info. pictures etc, who are they if they can delete Niu pics?
ReplyDeleteI do know who owns Lamplight, some are NIU employees. They own the rights to the pictures. That they will pull down pictures of an event that they were part of the promotion of is telling enough.
DeleteLM
So Lamplight is a ccm recruiting arm , marketing arm of and for NIU then ? Wow, is this the model they have set up? If this is all true then things have really changed and what then will be the result of the Camp ministry up there? Who is at the top of the flow chart for the Camp? Will the Camp follow the same direction? This is all so, so, sad. They have had some wonderful camps up there in the past.
ReplyDeleteIMO, NiU and its Camp are one and the same. All of NIU and its related ministries have been ruined by Matt Olson's rush toward new wave New Evangelicalism.
DeleteLM
I am a Northland grad, and as I like to say, "I graduated from Northland BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE, not NIU!" The thing that gets me is their deceitfulness through all of this. They try to pretend everything is fine and they are on the same page as the alumni - well, they are not on the same page as THIS alumnus, and with many others that I know! We know people who are still up there and they tell us the "real story" of what is going on and it's almost always WAY different than what Matt Olson says. The experiment with no demerits? "Terrible," as per student life staff. Olson wrote us (the alumni)a letter telling us "the dorm rooms were cleaner than ever." According to an RA, they were disgusting and horribly filthy. The new Life groups that have replaced hall meetings and room devotions? In the words of someone on staff, "A joke." At best, Dr. Olson is completely out of touch and misinformed with what is going on with his alumni and his own campus.
ReplyDeleteI am an "old school" grad. I couldn't believe it when a friend told me of the standard changes. I see a loss of excellence in exchange for popularity. I went to the web site and saw faculty with fewer advanced degrees than when I was a student which can only lead to a poorer quality of education. Dress codes give a sense of unity and discipline. There is no longer a sharp look about the students on campus. Rules were made for "the weakest link" as Dr. O used to say. Good parents don't let children choose whatever they want to eat (or wear) of they would be having cookies three meals a day. They choose these things for their children while instructing them how to make right choices until they are mature enough. The standard is set as an example to follow. Since when did demerits become so unbiblical? It is a sad day when I can no longer recommend the school I loved. Old ways are not always wrong and modern is not always good.
ReplyDeleteDee class of 1990