Are We Now Going to Lose Pensacola Christian College?

 In my previous article, I cited Dr. Ernest Pickering at length. He cautioned,

"...a man is more than his pulpit message. He brings to the pulpit a lifetime of associations, actions and perhaps writings. He comes as a total person. Is he in his total ministry the type of person you would want the young people at the separatist college to emulate?" (Implementing Separatist Convictions)

Following Pickering's excerpt I closed with a statement I recall from the years I was on faculty at Pensacola Christian College (PCC). "Show me your friends, show me who you will associate yourself with and I will show you what you are now or soon will be."

Every time a fundamentalist, separatist college took a hard left away from its historic legacy to embrace non-separatist evangelicalism, Reformed and/or Covenant theology disaster soon followed. The school either became New Evangelical (Wheaton, Cedarville, Liberty) or closed its doors (Pillsbury, TTU, Northland, Clearwater, Calvary Seminary).

With great sadness I learned that on Wednesday evening February 26 PCC hosted former Bob Jones University (BJU) president Steve Pettit for preaching at the Campus Church and on the 27th in the college chapel. Pettit is a Reformed theologian; he is among the "new" Calvinists, and he is an ecumenical compromiser. Steve Pettit had a role in the ultimate demise of Northland International University. His agenda, over nine years as BJU president, almost completely unraveled the university's historic fundamentalist legacy, which irreparably damaged BJU. Pettit's record is not hidden away in a vacuum. A simple vetting of Pettit before inviting him to speak in chapel, would uncover all these things.

Hosting Steve Pettit suggests that PCC may have embarked on the same path that ruined the schools mentioned above. It's possible that our churches may have already lost another balanced separatist Christian College.

On a personal level learning of PCC putting Steve Pettit in the chapel pulpit felt like a gut punch. During my tenure on PCC faculty (1987-92) inviting a man with Pettit's resume and doctrinal positions would have been unthinkable. Over the years schools will moderate in some areas, such as dress and music. This is true of PCC, which I have been moderately concerned with. But none of those things rise to the level of consternation and disappointment I felt seeing Steve Pettit (an ecumenical compromiser, Reformed theologian, non-separatist evangelical) in the chapel pulpit of PCC.

What Can We Hope For? 

One can only hope that the invitation to Steve Pettit was a one off, a mistake that in hindsight should never have been made. We might hope the administration at PCC will look back on this and realize the optics of Steve Pettit in the church and college pulpits raised a red flag of warning to the friends and alumni of the college. An optic that needs to be addressed by the administration to show PCC is not going the route Steve Pettit exemplifies in his doctrine and ministerial practice, especially the non-separatist agenda he advanced at BJU. We hope never again will PCC bring to the campus men who advance and/or tolerate, allow for, ignore and excuse doctoral aberrations (Reformed Theology, “new” Calvinism) and worldliness in worship.

With a saddened, but hopeful heart,


LM

(M.A. Biblical Exposition, PCC, 1995)

Steve Pettit Preaching  at the Campus Church, Wednesday night (2/26/25)

Steve Pettit Preaching PCC Chapel Service, (2/27/25)

Addendum: Chris Anderson has squarely placed himself among the non-separatist evangelicals.  He passionately advocates for and is a defender of the T4G men and their doctrinal aberrations. See The Scandal of Schism. Anderson's latest ChurchWorks Media production also shows he has adopted CCM stylings. Chris Anderson's warmly received at by Pastor Jeff Redlin at PCC's Campus Church November 4, 2024.

"I had the BEST time singing and worshipping with the Campus Church in Pensacola, FL last night. Everyone was so gracious and my friendship with Pastor Redlin is one I hope will continue to grow." (Chris Anderson, Church Works Media's Post Nov, 4, 2024)

Related Reading
Will They Never Learn? Every Failed School Veered From its Conservative, Historic Base

This Pastor's Perspective on the Closure of Clearwater Christian College

Implementing Separatist Convictions: Whom to Invite to Your Platform

From his Biblical Separation: The Struggle for a Pure Church, Dr. Ernest Pickering wrote, 

Dr. Pickering

“Some leaders operate on the principle that they will use speakers who are well-known even though they may be shaky in their convictions in some areas-because they have special abilities that are helpful and thus can be a blessing to their congregations. The wisdom, however, of following this course of action is very doubtful. For instance, the president of a separatist school may be asked to consider using some outstanding Bible preacher in his chapel or Bible conference. The man may have expertise in the Scriptures, be fundamental in doctrine and possess a tremendous gift of communication. He may also be one who goes everywhere, evidencing little discernment in the choice of places he ministers, speaking one week at the separatist college and perhaps the next at a Bible conference controlled by new evangelicals or their sympathizers. Some see no harm in using such a man. They look only at the messages he delivers from the platform which, in themselves, may be without fault.

But a man is more than his pulpit message. He brings to the pulpit a lifetime of associations, actions and perhaps writings. He comes as a total person. Is he in his total ministry the type of person you would want the young people at the separatist college to emulate? Perhaps you, as an adult, mature believer, could make the necessary adjustments in thinking and divorce what he is from what he says. Most of the youth would not be able to do that. The same would be true of most church members. They would be influenced by the man’s example as well as by his preaching. If he is a compromiser, his example would be harmful, and the college president would be at fault for setting him up as such. The separatist cause is not advanced by featuring non-separatists.” (Biblical Separation: The Struggle for a Pure Church, Implementing Separatist Convictions, Whom to Invite to Your Platform, p. 229.)

I don't recall when I first heard this, but it was at Pensacola Christian College, late 80's. "Show me your friends, show me who you will associate yourself with and I will show you what you are now, or soon will be."

LM