conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

more happy baptist business

Micah from St. Jerome's Library sent me an interesting link on life in Baptist colleges and universities. I have been following the news articles for some time, but have not commented simply because I did not think it was worth my time engaging in such an argument. Now, I think I should comment. If it is popping up on the Inside Higher Ed website, as a Baptist, I feel it is a responsibility to lend my voice. I would encourage all Baptists to do the same.

The article takes a specific track that I think is problematic. The people interviewed offer only one perspective on the problem and thus illuminate only one possible solution. What is presented is the liberal arts versus fundamentalism. I am not so sure that this dichotomy serves any helpful purpose except to describe the conflict at one or two universities...okay, maybe four or five. Heh.

What that specific dynamic highlights is the conflict within a specific Baptist community. Some Baptist colleges and universities were founded to make Baptists. Yes, educated Baptists, but to make Baptists. So, in those cases, it may be within the historical context to propone the specific theology of a specific Baptist body. That the current college/university administration has problems with that theology only demonstrates what may be poor hiring practices by the institution. Why hire a Dean who does not agree with your underlying theological mission? That makes no sense. Not to generalize, but it is careless on both sides.

Now, where the Baptist community has changed its nature, we may see a different conflict. My alma mater is a good example of this. Here is the link to a recent news article on the strife there. One of many complaints against the current president is the increasingly "liberal" nature of some of the University's policies. I think this may have to do with the former connections with the Baptist churches in Virginia*. That is speculation on my part, but I would not be surprised. The University was founded, however, out of a desire to provide a good liberal arts education to Baptists and others in Richmond. It was not established to make a specific type of Baptist. So, if a Baptist group were to say "University practices are no longer consistent with Baptist theology" then they would be reneging on the current mission statement of the University...and the historical context. To demand such adherence would then be an inappropriate imposition from outside the University. The University administration could rightfully ignore it. There may be a financial backlash, but that's another issue.

Okay, I am rambling. I know.

In each case, we are going to see something different. To make the issue of what is changing in the Baptist Higher Ed landscape about the liberal arts versus fundamentalism solely is irresponsible. The issue is about how the Baptist landscape is once again shifting and realigning. This realignment is painful and dirty. That it is being manifested in its educational institutions is no surprise. That it frustrates many is no surprise. But it is about more than fundamentalism and the liberal arts. That dichotomy is but one example of how this transition is rearing its head.

*The University of Richmond is based on the coordinate system. Richmond College is the men's college. Westhampton is the women's. There are several other schools now, but the University was initially founded by the joining of these two schools. Though Richmond College was founded as a seminary for Baptist ministers, this focus changed when the colleges joined. Concurrently, the Baptist influence dwindled. I am not even sure if there is a Baptist position on the board of Trustees anymore. When I was a student, there were always two reserved for delegates from the Virginia Baptist General Convention. I believe this to no longer be the case.
Posted by tripp at November 22, 2005 11:32 AM