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.
LM
Related Reading
Will They Never Learn? Every Failed School Veered From its Conservative, Historic Base
I too have been concerned with the events at PCC including events prior to hosting Steve. Namely the use of music from Hillsong and Bethel. Unfortunately I was even seeing a drift there when I was a student at PCC back in 2018.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that PCC has removed any mention of the Textus Receptus from their doctrinal statement. They seem to be heading in a direction of leaving the KJV position. The current statement of faith per their website states as follows:
“ We believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired and infallible, authoritative Word of God and that God gave the words of Scripture by inspiration without error in the original autographs (2 Tim. 3:16–17, 2 Pet. 1:21). God promises that He will preserve His Word; Jesus said, “My words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). We believe that God has kept that promise by preserving His infallible Word in the traditional Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and that the Authorized Version (KJV) is an accurate English translation of the preserved Word of God.”
To the best of my knowledge when I was a student and up until recently the statement specifically stated that the TR was the correct manuscripts. Please correct this statement if it is wrong
Thank you for sharing your thought here. I’m pleased to be hearing from a fellow PCC graduate.
DeleteLike you I have been disappointed in the shift to Hillsong (CCM) kinds of music. Why go there? It has been frustrating to see that shift, but as I noted above that does not to rise to the level shock and frustration the invitation to an ecumenical compromiser like Steve Pettit creates.
Recently I received an invitation to a gathering next month for a PCC get together (for alumni) in Indiana. Dr. Shoemaker will be there. I was thinking about going to the event, but after this, NOT anymore. If I were to go I would take Dr. Shoemaker aside and share my heart and disappointment with the Pettit invitation. I would ask if Pettit was vetted and if so why then was he invited? Maybe I will go, but… I would not lend my name and presence in what might look like tacit endorsement of what the Pettit invitation means for PCC.
On the KJV, TR issue I’m kind of middle of the road on that. I’m what I call “KJV preferred.” In years gone by I’ve been to churches that use other translations, but I didn’t tear my garment and run out the sanctuary screaming, “heresy.” I guess I land on giving benefit of the doubt, but would rather not see that movement.
To reiterate, the invitation to Steve Pettit, knowing the egregious issues in his stands and practice, raises a host of legitimate concerns and questions.
LM
I appreciate your posts especially on the demise of our fundamental institutions. You stated in your post
ReplyDelete“ 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.”
As much as I wish this was the case…. After watching the service from campus church where Pettit preached, Pastor Redlin made it pretty clear that he knew who Steve was. And it was at Redlin’s invitation that Steve was allowed to preach at Campus Church. I can’t imagine Redlin was not aware of any of the controversy surrounding Steve.
Thanks for that insightful observation.
DeleteIn writing that last paragraph, the portion you cited in particular, I knew in my heart PCC invited Pettit knowing full well what they were inviting. I just don't want it to be true. I listened to Pastor Redlin's introduction of Pettit, which heaped lavish praise on him. I find it near impossible to believe Redlin, and the administration, had no idea what they were getting.
Prior to Pettit’s nine years stint at BJU I believe there was room for benefit of the doubt. His years at BJU, however, erased any doubt that he was Reformed in his theology, a compromising evangelical and ecumenical. His music had long been a concern for many, but imho could be cautiously overlooked.
What I'm saying is that for 10+ years Pettit’s positions have been well established, out in the open for any one to see. So, Redlin's introduction, putting Pettit in the church and chapel pulpit strongly suggests PCC approves of and stands along side the things Pettit represents.
Of course, through a public apology from PCC, and recognition that Pettit's appearance on campus was a mistake this can be salvaged.
LM
On Friday, prior to publishing this article, I reached out to the PCC administration to discuss my concerns. I left a message for one of the administrators with an executive secretary with a request for a return call. My call was not returned. I am a former faculty member (1987-92) and 1995 graduate with an M.A. in Biblical Exposition. Although my call has not been returned I will keep trying. I'm hopeful the administration is open to hearing from me, who has for decades loved, stood by and supported PCC.
ReplyDeleteLM