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).
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 & further into evangelicalism) in the chapel pulpit of PCC.
What Can We Hope For?
With a saddened, but hopeful heart,
LM
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. According to Chris Anderson he was warmly received 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
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
God's Perfect Book by Dr. Sorenson used to be required reading in the Old Testament Survey class which all students took, but they reordered the class and it was dropped my junior year.
DeleteI 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
I realized there was no return for PCC back in 2022 after something happened that most people had no idea occurred. After Campus Church sang Hillsong in choir a couple students from Texas told their dad who was a pastor. I heard that he called and talked to Dr. Redlin and that subsequently that song was prohibited from being sung again in Campus Church. (Sadly that did not stop all Hillsongs.) Near the end of the year PCC usually takes a Sunday night service to allow their preacher boy class to showcase the winners of the preaching competitions. Redlin explains it as Campus Church loaning there Sunday night service to PCC for this event. Dr. Shoemaker was in charge of the service, and he had the choir sing that prohibited song. As soon as I realized what song it was, I could barely keep myself sitting quietly. I was filled with some righteous anger. To see that Dr. Shoemaker would do something like that seemed pretty low. I realized in that moment that he was more than just a little moderate in some areas than most, but that instead he had a plan to bring the college to a place that would bring the Hortons to tears. And to see what sneaky and rebellious means he would use to get there shocked me.
ReplyDeleteJared: Thanks for the firsthand account of what took place then.
DeleteWhat it suggests is that much like the schools I noted in the article that ultimately closed (Pillsbury, TTU, Northland, Clearwater and Calvary Seminary) or severely damaged (BJU) it was top down pressure responsible for their demise. Each time it was a new college president who took office and set out to implement an agenda to erase and replace the school's foundational fundamentalist, separatist moorings.
Matt Olson- Northland
Richard Stratton- Clearwater
Sam Harbin- Calvary
Steve Pettit- BJU
What you experienced shows Dr. Shoemaker may be the primary driving force behind much of the change at PCC.
LM
I would not rule out Pastor Redlin. Even though he has effectively separated Campus Church from PCC (a move that a agree needed to happen) He is on the board at PCC and the overall moves at Campus Church show that he is a supporter of a move away from the separatist position.
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts.
DeleteWelcoming Steve Pettit in the Campus Church pulpit, certainly knowing Pettit’s public positions and his agenda leading to the near ruin of BJU, there is little doubt Pastor Redlin has opted for a non-separatist, welcoming evangelicalism. Then there is of course the music standards, which for many have become increasingly alarming.
I suppose every board member and administrator has either acquiesced (for fear of being let go) or fully supports the shift.
“…effectively separated Campus Church from PCC.” I didn’t know that. So, are you saying Campus Church runs independent of any PCC presidential and/or administrative control? It is fully independent?
LM
Yes, back in 2018 when Redlin was brought on the church was in the process of becoming independently operated outside the umbrella of the college. Over the last number of years this has actually happened. I do not recall which campus church service but recently back in January I believe, Redlin took a Sunday night to show how Campus Church operated. Here is the link to the church service.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/live/3E0AW2xl9dE?feature=shared
Pastor Redlin goes on to describe The church is operated by the pastoral staff, deacons and trustees. These are elected positions
Additionally knowing students there and being a former student Redlin has been very intentional in stating that the church is independent and separate from the college.
Well, that is welcome news. Btw, during my later years on faculty (87-92) Jeff Redlin was Campus Church youth pastor serving with Jim Schettler.
Delete