From http://cedarvillesituation.com/-
Essentially (though not inclusively) the doctrinal issue is between those who hold that truth can not be known with certainty and those who hold that truth can indeed be known with certainty.
Those holding the “assurance-but-not-certainty” view argue that since God alone is omniscient, He only can know anything with certainty. Mortals may not claim certainty in knowing anything. They may only be assured of knowing that they are saved. They cannot know such for a certainty. All other doctrinal positions such as the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures can not be known with certainty, only with assurance or confidence. And so on throughout the whole scope of doctrine. “Assurance,” yes; “certainty” no.
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That thou mayest know the certainty of those things in which thou hast been instructed.
(Luke 1:4)
Dr. Bartholomew has recently added considerably more material to his web site (cedarville situation.) The details of that have been confirmed to me by a current staff member close to the situation at Cedarville.
One fears that the situation is much more serious than it first appeared.
John
Dr. Robert L Sumner sent the following reply afterYes,
I sent a long, detailed letter to Dr. Brown and received back a thorough reply.
As far as Cedarville is concerned, “certainty” and “assurance” is the same thing. There is no uncertainty about anything in its doctrinal statement.
I was gett ready to drop you this information when I received your letter. Thank you for your interest in this school.
Bless your heart, we will be happy to receive your gift (and, boy, do we need it)!
sumner
Dr. Robert L. Sumner, Editor
THE BIBLICAL EVANGELIST
134 Salisbury Circle
Lynchburg,VA 24502-5056
(434) 237-0132
I sent a copy of Dr. Bartholomew’ article.
Brothers,
Since the only information I’ve read concerning the Cedarville controversy was found on this blog, I asked Dr. Sumner if he knew anything about it. He told me that it was new to him and that he would do his own investigation. I believe his reply to me does not imply a final conclusion, if any, about the matter. I respect Greg Linscott’s desire to present the whole truth about this matter.
The GARBC made the right decision in separating from CU.
Jim,
The response by Dr. Sumner is fascinating. I wonder what he expected by way of response from the Cedarville U. president. Did he think there was a possibility that the CFO would admit that conservative faculty members had been fired and that the drift to postmodernism was edging into the future? Did he think that the CFO would admit that students in some specific classes were having their faith undermined and were seeking counseling from the more conservative faculty on the issue of truth and certainty.
One hopes that Dr. Sumner will thoroughly investigate both sides of the issue by talking to some of the dedicated, conservative, tenured faculty members who have had their reputation sullied and their careers trashed over the issue. It might be good if he could also talk to a few students who have struggled with the issue of certainty and how it relates to the whole spectrum of Biblical doctrine that has Divine Revelation as its foundation.
This is not a trivial matter. The spiritual lives and future ministries of hundreds if not thousands of students are at stake here, now and on into the future.
Reread Dr. Bartholomew’s web site again (cedarville situation) with great care and discernment. There are events that did happen. How can these be explained? The law of cause and effect still holds. What has caused these events to transpire?
Sincerely,
ibwatching
Dr. Sumner has family on the faculty at Cedarville.
Sly and others:
Perhaps Dr. Sumner (and any others who think C.U. is not sliding into postmodernism) should take a look at the the recent post on Apprising.org
The connection into the Crystal Cathedral, mysticsim, peace activisits and the emergent church is clear to anyone willing to do a little internet research.
The “cedarville situation” is now well beyond serious.
Regards, John
Who said that Dr. Sumner thinks that C.U. is sliding into postmoderism? I find no record of it. Just because my good friend has made no public comment about the situation, doesn’t imply that he has no opinion about it. He just hasn’t gotten into the the public discussion of it. Don’t misjudge the man.
Jim,
Take a look at “Sliceoflaodicea” for an update on what the C.U. administation is up to. I will have more to report on this in the near future. Many serious things at C.U. are happening below the radar screen.
Jim, please carefully re-read my last post. You badly misunderstood it. The word “not” in my response is rather important. By failing to take it into account your interpretation of what I said is 180 degrees out of phase with reality.
All I have heard about Dr. Sumner for the past twenty years is only what you reported above. I have in no way misjudged the man. Just re-read my post carefully and then you will understand what I was saying.
Regards, John
Slice of Laodicea is out of touch with what Christian education is supposed to entail. Christians shouldn’t take the “head in the sand” approach to false teaching seriously. If CU is only allowed to invite people to campus who believe the same things we do then “Christian education” is an oxymoron.
Keith, I agree with that completely.
“post-modernism” is not something into which one can “slide”. It is not “Mormonism” or some other enclosed system to which someone can adhere.
The real problem is not that Kallenberg, Claiborne and other heretical speakers hold positions that are different from teaching on Cedarville U. campus. The real problem is that they enforce and amplify what is already being taught.
You really need to think a bit more deeply about the meaning of “Chrsitian Education.” Just to label it an “oxymoron” in the Cedarville context cute but it is naive beyond reason.
Looks like Brown has been sued for fraud. It’s really bad. Check out http://www.cedarvillesituation.com
Two thoughts:
1) It seems that at least one man who is convinced that “truth can be known with certainty” has conveniently overlooked the truth… at least the truth of 1 Corinthians 6. I’d say that 1 Corinthains 6 is pretty certain about the truth that suing your believing brothers in a human court of law is wrong.
2) If I had to choose, I’d have to go with “assurance” as the more Biblical word. Thomas (John 20)was rebuked for wanting certainty, instead of accepting the assurances of his fellow apostles. None of the heroes in Hebrews 11 had certainty - they only had faith, without which it is impossible to please God.
Mark, It might be good to spend a bit more time thinking about this. Check out the web site by cedarvillecoalition. It has some very important documents.
With the continuing confiscation of faculty compters, employee morale is not good in many departments. No one appears to know who ordered all of this. It was going on before Millman was suddenly terminated as Academic Dean, and it went on afterward so it may be that it did not originate with him. But no one will admit to it.
Two extension have been granted in the legal actions against Cedarville, but that will soon come to an end. Once depositions, etc. are presented and made public, a great deal more information will come to light.
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