Texas Baptist Forum

Updated: 4/18/06

Texas Baptist Forum

Baylor’s Christian mission

Joseph Bottum’s recent commentary regarding Baylor University (published in several periodicals) is, as Mark Twain once commented about rumors of his death, greatly exaggerated.

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Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.

“I remain convinced that racism is the greatest sin in America, because it is the problem which keeps us from dealing with our other problems together. It is an affront to the God who loves all the world (John 3:16). Loving our neighbor as ourselves is basic to following Jesus (Matthew 22:39).” Jim Denison Pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas (godissues.org) “You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God. It will not do to say that God only uses our cancer but does not design it. What God permits, he permits for a reason. And that reason is his design. If God foresees molecular developments becoming cancer, he can stop it or not. If he does not, he has a purpose. Since he is infinitely wise, it is right to call this purpose a design.” John Piper Baptist pastor and author of the Reformed tradition, writing on the eve of his surgery for prostate cancer (BP) “Our nation cannot afford a shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to ‘cut and run’ versus ‘stay the course.’” Thomas Wenski Bishop of Orlando, writing on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the war in Iraq (RNS)

Drawing upon a single personnel decision, Bottum invites readers to witness “Baylor University’s apparent collapse” under secular pressure. While both legal and practical concerns limit a university’s ability to discuss or respond to criticism regarding tenure decisions, I write to affirm that we, at Baylor, remain committed to our distinctive Christian mission within an academically rigorous, yet nurturing, environment.

This is a view shared by our board of regents, president, provost, vice presidents, deans, chairs and faculty, as well as dozens of prospective faculty who have visited campus this spring for interviews.

Our faculty members come from some of the world’s finest institutions and have been drawn to Baylor by its distinct mission and its aspiration to demonstrate that first-rate academics are fully compatible with an active faith commitment. Along with our current professors, prospective faculty are individuals of faith who are excited about the university’s twin goals—to balance outstanding teaching and mentorship with increased research and creative endeavors while reaffirming and deepening the institution’s Christian mission in the historic Baptist tradition.

These goals have been repeatedly embraced by all of Baylor’s constituencies, including the board of regents, the Faculty Senate and the current administration.

I can assure anyone interested in a Baylor education that these goals have not and will not change.

J. Randall O’Brien, interim provost

Baylor University

Waco

The Bride & the dandy

When Charles Taylor of Liberia came to power, we Baptists were proud to publish that “one of our own” had achieved world prominence. Now that the former dictator is charged with crimes against humanity and is being held by the United Nations, it would do us well to publicly acknowledge our shame.

In our rush to rejoice when the Bride of Christ goes out walking with the political dandy of the day, we too often fail to admit that in such company she frequently wakes up the next morning dressed as the Whore of Babylon.

David Maltsberger

Boerne

. Letters are limited to 250 words.