Modified April 19, 2007
Quotes of the Day:
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And, the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself. On these two commandements hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22: 36-40
"Your letter [asking for 'supporting scripture' and 'specific facts' supporting Bob's position] is a disappointment; but if you are not a friend of Bob Jones University, it's best we know it now...In doing so, you have broken fellowship with us; and the Alumni Association will be canceling your membership. Enclosed is a check to refund your dues. And, of course, you would not be welcome to return to campus. I am not required to state specifics to you or anyone else...I am ashamed of you for it; but from now on, you may go your direction and we will go ours." (Bob Jones III on accountability to a graduate. Terminal move at BJU. Has this attitude changed at BJU since Bob III elevated himself to chancellor and installed Stephen Jones as president? If so, what precipitated the change and where is it evidenced today?)
"The talk and teaching coming from BJU are so contradictory that even your most loyal supporters are questioning the possibility of your survival as the "Fortress of Faith." A longtime supporter of BJU recently said, 'We don't need BJU anymore!' I wanted to weep when I heard that statement. Something strange is happening at BJU, and it is turning off people so fast that you must either change your attitude or hire a Madison Avenue advertising agency. It is my studied observation that you are losing favor with God and good men."..."We have attempted to explain why you tolerate men on your board who are unequally yoked with Masonry; why you speak out against authorities with inordinate language such as only the ungodly employ; why you have no respect for graduates who practice what they have been taught at the university; and why you advocate building independent, fundamental churches and yet excoriate those that exercise independence." Charles Underwood, timeless words to Bob Jones III and BJU, 1983. Can anyone produce any solid, material evidence to show that BJU and Bob III have changed under the administration of Stephen Jones?
"The Scripture commands the servant of Christ to be "an example of the believers, in word..." (I Timothy 4:12). James commands all believers, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren: (4:11). Mr. ___________ has violated these scriptural commands." Dr. Stewart Custer quotes his target...and concludes, "...his words cannot be termed "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) [He] does not meet the scriptural qualifications for a servant of Christ."..."Since [he] does not meet the scriptural qualifications for a Christian minister, no church or school should offer him a preaching opportunity...The Lord's people must abide by His revealed will in matters of qualification." (Dr. Stewart Custer, with an externally aimed standard that he never dared apply to those who have signed his check for the past 40 or so years, Dr. Bob Jones Jr and Dr. Bob Jones III.)
"Facts and biblical standards don't seem to purchase when a Jones is on the receiving end. BJU will put any interpretation on words and deeds to excuse a Jones."..."I love you [Dr. Fremont]. You are a very special person. I am willing to meet with anyone who can demonstrate point-by-point any of the "time worn lies" for which you vaguely accuse me...We disagree on biblical accountability, personal loylaty, and dual standards. It hurts to lose a dear, long-time friend. May nothing I have said be contrued as mean-spirited or unkind toward anyone, especially you. You were the most influential teacher in my life. For that I am unalterably grateful." (1999 letter from me to Dr. Walter Fremont. Fremont could not answer the letter because I required that he deal with facts rather than ad hominem attacks. A Jonesian cannot acknowledge facts and defend BJU or the Joneses conduct.)
"Leadership by example must come from the top; it must be of the highest standards; and it must be visible for all to see...'Do as I say and not as I do' just won't hack it!...Those who hold leadership positions, to be credible, must meet the same standard..We must continue to remove those who fall short and seek those who meet and exceed the requirements. Dual standards and less accountability at the top will undermine the trust and confidence so essential to good order and discipline...A general malaise hangs over a unit whose leaders are week...Soldiers [and Christians, too] want - indeed deserve - leaders who are held accountable to the same standards that they are held. The credibility of the system is at stake when that is not the case." (Admiral Leon Edney, before the House Judiciary, speaking on eternal principles of leadership.)
WHY SPEND SO MUCH TIME DISSECTING BJU'S INTERRACIAL DATING CONTROVERSY?
It is not so much the interracial dating controversy that I have focused on, but Dr. Bob Jones III's handling of the whole affair. But, you might say, it is an old controversy. It may have played itself out in 2000, but the whole affair is instructive as to the nature of the leadership and ethics of the Joneses and BJU. I have studied how the Joneses act, the administrators, faculty and students at BJU act, and how their supporters act with regard to the many controversies that have played out over the past 50 years.
I have concluded that they haven't changed very much in their management of their sect of independent fundamentalism or their approaches to those with whom they disagree in areas of conscience, biblical polity, or matters involving biblical faith and/or practice. Yes, they have changed their marketing strategy. With the dwindling numbers of American-born independent fundamentalists Caucasians, they have had to appeal to other races to keep the school going. The spirit and techniques they use in dealing with anyone who disagrees with BJU or the Joneses has not changed.
Winners and Losers in the Interracial Dating/Marriage Controversy
THE LOSERS
This "insignificant" issue, as Bob III finally declared it, was very costly to Bob Jones University in terms of dollars and prestige. While most of the fundamentalists were too busy hanging on to the coattails of BJU and never dared notice, Dr. Bob Jones III was a huge loser.
Bob Jones III came off as one wholly lacking in judgment and discernment. Who, but a self-deluded Jonesian, would place confidence in Bob Jones III's "spiritual leadership" after such a series of godless decisions? Bob Jones III invested his credibility as a Fundamentalist big wig and lost twice. First, Bob III took his case to the Supreme Court and lost in 1983.
Secondly, Bob III lost again when he had to retreat from his "Bible policy" in 2000. Only a Jonesian, a faithful supporter, a willing dupe, someone who couldn't think for himself or allow himself to see Dr. Jones III's series of blunders and ecclesiastic fraud, would rely on Bob Jones III for a biblical doctrinal stand on an issue after this huge fiasco. He lost all credibility as a religious leader, at least with those discerning men and women who have the requisite critical thinking skills and biblical discernment and who are willing to apply them to the facts that are plainly before them. I do not mean to imply that I view Dr. Bob Jones III as a legitimate, biblically qualified religious leader. I do not believe that he is.
As Dr. Custer illustrated above, the New Testament is clear regarding the qualifications of New Testament leaders. The examples of New Testament leadership do not include corporate, for-profit business preachers with no discernible biblical cover or scriptural precedence. Is Bob III ordained? He may be. Is he accountable to those who conferred his ordination? They sure have kept quiet for the past 40 years. Has he demonstrated that he has the qualifications of a minister of Christ? Perhaps someone is willing to tackle that one. Is there a Jonesian that would try to support his qualifications biblically? Perhaps Dr. Custer would apply to Dr. Jones III his standards for qualification. Fundamentalists have allowed Dr. Bob Sr., Bob Jr., and Bob III to become the Great Exceptions.
Bob Jones University's administrators, Deans, the faculty, including and especially the Bible and religious faculty members, the students, graduates, and faithful defenders of BJU and the Joneses, were huge losers. People like Stewart Custer, Thurman Wisdom, Ed Panosian, Dwight Gustafson, Walter Fremont had collected check after check from BJU and dutifully defended the Joneses and attacked those who questioned the Joneses' policies. They had silently assented to, supported, and/or defended the Joneses pet racist doctrine.
Stephen Jones is a huge loser. He can preach nice sermons and act humbly and graciously as he sells BJU's services from Baptist pulpits. But the real question is: Does Stephen Jones have the strength of character and autonomy to make any changes to the attitudes and atmosphere that has developed at BJU over the past 80 years? Stephen hasn't demonstrated that he has those qualities. Stephen Jones certainly knew the background surrounding the history of this controversy. He certainly knew of the statements his father had made in 1983 regarding the nature of this "Bible policy" and the duplicity practiced by his father. He praised his father for the Larry King interview and never once apologized to the University family or defenders for misleading BJU's administrators, faculty, students, and brand of fundamentalism regarding the true, extra-biblical basis of the Joneses interracial dating ban.
THE WINNERS
The winners were those who suffered for Christ in this like Gerald and the late Jackie. They certainly did not deserve to be in the center of such a bitter firestorm but perhaps God will reward them. Has BJU president, Stephen Jones, asked his father to go with him to Gerald and any of Jackie's family and humbly and graciously seek forgiveness? I have not heard such a report. There is something in that long, dreaded walk to a wronged neighbor's door that changes a man and makes him more than he was. I know that I have had to do that. It was never a pleasant experience to beg forgiveness from someone I had wronged. But I never regretted doing so afterward. That would go a long way to setting the atmosphere of his administration at Bob Jones University and signal some godly independence of spirit. Stephen Jones can't start over, but he can start mending fences.
Wayne Golson and Steve Keyes were winners. How many American Christians do you know who have endured any measure of persecution for practicing their faith?
Dr. Walter Handford showed an unswerving strength of character. Has he been persecuted, criticized, and ostracized by the Jones crowd? Absolutely.
Charles Underwood? How could Charles Underwood be a winner? Well, he didn't stand up to Jones on this issue. However, Charles Underwood's "Open Letter to Dr. Bob Jones III" outlined the way the Joneses approach every such controversy.
Certainly, there must have been others who stood up on this issue who were fired or blackballed that we will never find out about. They are winners.
What did I do? I did nothing until October 2, 1994. At that time, Bob Jones IV was making the BJU banquet circuit. On or about September 27, 1994, Bob Jones IV spoke at such a banquet in Newark, New Jersey. My brother-in-law, Tom Ardt was in attendance. He recounted that a woman asked Bob IV a question from the floor about BJU's interracial dating policy. It was pretty embarassing for those in attendance because the banquets do not provide for Q and A sessions! Bob IV was unexpectedly and publicly confronted with the issue!
Since the university had long since ceased answering my correspondence, I sent a letter to Bob Jones IV under a fictitious name. Of course, the letter was never answered. Here are portions from that October 2, 1994 letter:
"Dear Mr. Jones:
At the banquet held on September 27th in Newark, New Jersey, a young woman asked you a two-part question. The first part dealt with whether or not Bob Jones University forbade interracial dating by students. You responded that interracial dating was forbidden. The second part of her question asked for specific reasons in support of that policy. Your answer was that it causes, or produces, a bad testimony. You provided no Scriptural basis in support of your position and indicated the dating policy was simply based upon BJU's convictions. I am not so sure your answer satisfied all of those in attendance. In light of the seriousness of causing a division (Romans 16:17-19) within the body of Christ, what Scriptural justification do you cite in support of this doctrine?
After the banquet, several people went to speak to this young woman. One of those was a man who identified himself as a graduate of BJU. He told the woman that when he was at BJU, his room [prayer] captain, the son of a Korean woman and a US serviceman, was ruled an Oriental his first year. He was only allowed to date Oriental girls. The next year he appealed his Oriental status and was ruled a Caucasian. he was then allowed to date Caucasian girls. It seems the prudent thing to do is to ask you for a copy of your written policies so that I can decide whether or not such arbitrariness is possible. Could you send me a copy of your interracial dating policy?"
In or around 1997, I wrote Dr. Bob Jones III and asked him what constituted a "mixed race" and if his was a "one-drop" rule or a "51% rule" and asked him how he determined who was what part of what race. He never responded. I also wrote a 1997 letter to the Editor, Greenville News, opposing BJU's racist policies. Pretty lame. Too little, too late.
Those who want to do something positive and who are not controlled by a sychophantic fear of losing the favor of the Joneses and being banned from the "Fortress of Faith", might write BJU president Stephen Jones and ask him to take his father, Dr. Bob Jones III, and go to the family of "Gerald" and seek forgiveness for Bob III's actions in 1980. It's never too late to seek forgiveness. What's the alternative? Sweeping it under the rug? Isn't that what we have allowed the Joneses to do with their messes for the last 80 years? If Stephen Jones doesn't break the cycle, I suspect that the sins of the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will visit him.
Incidentally, after Jones dropped the dating ban, he instituted a new "Rule" that required a female student to get permission for mixed dating from her parents. It lasted a short time and then the press got wind of it and the new Rule was dropped with little fanfare! Again, Bob Jones III and BJU looked hypocritical and religiously and racially bigoted.
It follows that Fundamentalism and Fundamentalists lost, especially Bob Jones-styled Fundamentalism and Fundamentalists. The next time the BJU crowd attempt to defend Bob Jones III or BJU, keep this incident in mind. The next time BJU or Dr. Bob Jones III are involved in a controversy, remember how poorly and duplicitously they handled this controversy. Fundamentalists - BJU-trained preachers, related ministries, BJU grads, BJU supporters - those who had faithfully, dutifully, and mindlessly defended and propagated Dr. Bob Jones III's so-called "Bible policy" supporting his interracial dating/ban, all reversed course and dutifully lavished praise on Dr. Jones III. To my knowledge, not one fundamentalist big wig held Bob Jones III accountable for invoking Biblical authority to support his own bigoted belief that it is "Bible policy" to ban interracial dating/marriage.
It would have been better if Bob Jones III would have simply said, "Our interracial dating/marriage ban is not a "Bible policy," it is my preference. If you don't like my rule, then don't apply to attend my school." But, Bob III and his minions tried to support it from Scripture and that amounted to ecclesiastic fraud. No man is more dishonest than the man who is dishonest in his own religion. Such a man is dishonest in his heart, mind, and very soul. Jon Pait is a huge loser. It is disturbing to note that these same supporters will passionately defend and propagate other doctrines espoused by Dr. Jones without thinking twice. If Jonathan Pait does not have the strength of character and discernment to stand up against the Joneses when they ask him to defend such nonsense, then he needs to place himself in a position where he is not faced with such issues.
The Bible faculty at Bob Jones University lost a great deal of credibility. Are they sincere men who have been careful to retain their individual priesthood? Are they men of resolve, scholarly integrity, independence, and biblical principle who are subject first to God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit and not controlled by the fear of losing their jobs? Or, is the BJU Bible faculty staffed by 'yes-men' who bow and scrape every time Bob Jones III needs someone to sign a group letter supporting his latest position?
What this controversy reveals is that the Joneses are dishonest and have surrounded themselves with people who willingly accomodate the Joneses' dishonesty by employing supporting dishonesty: think the Bible faculty, the offices of the Dean of Men and the Dean of Women, and a host of others. This is not the way of Christian men and women guided by biblical truth and principles. This is the way of a cult.
What is most disturbing is that the Joneses and the Jonesians who defend them and attack those who point out their faults are dishonest and hypocritical in the practice of the New Testament religion established upon the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As He said, "Beware the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy!"
How interesting was this article !! In the 80s I would take my little daughter and go to Gerald and Jackie's house to help them, as Jackie was then sick. Never one time did I hear these friends say anything contrary about BJones ~ I do know, because I was a member at SSide, that a number of people left the church when Gerald and Jackie joined. They were the losers; those of us who loved G and J were the winners ! They added grace and warmth to my life. But they suffered rejection in the religious atmosphere of Greenville; there is a heavy blanket of oppression here. ELL
ELL,
You were there watching these events transpire first hand! That must have been shockingly eye-opening.
I graduated from BJU in 1980. In my view, the interracial debacle at BJU, more than any other single issue, revealed the deeply flawed religious underpinnings of Jonesianism.
mark
Posted by: ELL | September 01, 2009 at 09:36 PM