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Do Bob Jones University, Bob Jones III, and the BJU Bible Faculty Practice Ethical Debate?

Quote of the Day:

"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay the on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matthew 23: 1-8

"Dr. Wisdom, review the standards by which you judged PCC in this present controversy; ethical fairness, agreeable restatement of the opposing position, misrepresentation, demeaning talk, ridicule, factual errors, gratuitous assumption, reputation, etc. BJU has violated each of those standards for over thirty years. Paul said it thus, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things…thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” (Rom. 2:1, 21) Professor Wisdom, you made a fatal error by shifting the focus to ethical fairness and by vaporously claiming that BJU’s “71-year reputation speaks for itself”. Perhaps by listening to its reputation speak we can determine if BJU evidences God’s Spirit or not. (Beloved…try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out…,”) [Jn. 4:1]"

Do Bob Jones University, Bob Jones III, and the BJU Bible Faculty Practice Ethical Debate?

When I saw the Download BJUPCC.doc (71.0K)">letter Bob Jones III and BJU's Bible faculty sent out to their supporters regarding Pennsacola Christian College, I knew that "sides" were being "picked up" much like we did when playing playground basketball when we were kids. I do not know the players from PCC. However, I do know the players from BJU. Because of that knowledge, I wrote to Rabbis Jones and Wisdom and encouraged them to withdraw from the debate for a host of "ethical" reasons.

This letter provides a glimpse into how the BJU-crowd handles controversies. Those who want to understand some BJU history and get a glimpse at several fundamental Jonesian religious practices will find this very revealing. I believe I mailed a copy to each member of the BJU faculty who signed the letter responding to PCC. Not surprisingly, Rabbis Jones and Wisdom could not respond to my letter while sustaining their Rabbinic images.

Dr. Bob Jones III
Dr. Thurman Wisdom
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina 29614

August 5, 1998

Dear Gentlemen:

I have read the open letters from you two concerning Pensacola Christian’s video, the Leaven of Fundamentalism. Evidently, battle lines have been drawn. Loyalties have been affirmed. Sides have been chosen. The war is joined. Like most wars, truth is the first casualty.

I attended BJU from 1977-1980 convinced that it was the Fortress of Faith. But, in the late ‘80’s I watched Dr. Bob Jones III recommend John Stevens as pastor of Northside Baptist in Charleston, SC. Bob and Beneth Jones also became members of Northside. As I watched that situation unfold, I observed Dr. Jones to engage in the wilful disregard of facts, duplicity, and self-serving judgments. So, I made Bob Jones III and BJU the objects of personal investigation in an effort to find out if what I had observed were isolated instances or part of a pattern.

Little has changed in the twenty years since I attended BJU. The hot controversy then was between the Jones boys and the leader of another school, Dr. John R. Rice. I watched as that controversy played itself out in the lives of the students, preacher boys, and the faculty. The rhetoric during that controversy had Bob Jr. spreading the word that Dr. Rice was a “senile old man” while Dr. Rice labeled the Jones boys “hell-raising Pharisees”! One of my roommates was forced to choose between his relationship with the Rice family and his desire to graduate from BJU. A little ‘persuasion’ helped him make the “right” choice and he graduated from BJU.

The pattern revealed in that controversy was to be duplicated many times at BJU. While there have been some valid debates in fundamentalism, it seems that the majority have simply consisted of a Diotrophes-like striving for the mantle of leadership of fundamentalism. The world watched as these controversies raged. Howard Rosenberg, of the Detroit News, keenly observed: “There are many leaders among the fundamentalists who are willing to lie, cheat, and do anything they have to in dealing with their enemies.” How true that statement is.

Like you, Dr. Wisdom, I often wonder “what might have been” had some genuine spiritual principles prevailed and Satan not had his way in some of BJU’s controversies. I recall one bitter controversy between Dr. Bob Jones III and one of his former fair-haired loyalists. That debate ended with, to use your words, one of Bob’s own “sweeping, White-throne-Judgments”.

“There is no point in our meeting together. The probationary period is over; the ‘judgement day’ is past. There is absolutely nothing you could do at this point that would give us any basis for changing our decision.”

Reportedly, the man who received this letter, a pastor, is no longer in the ministry. I, too, wonder “what might have been” had this schism been handled with a Christ-like spirit. What might have been” had Dr. Jones exercised obedience to Christ’s teachings in Matthew 5 and 18?

I noted that when Bob III’s brethren attempt to appeal to “the church” pursuant to Christ’s commands in Matthew 18:17, he neglects those appeals and keeps his church membership secret. Bob displayed the same contempt for Christ’s commands when I attempted the Matthew 18 approach concerning his lying about the Northside situation. Dr. Wisdom, you might try convincing Bob to submit to some biblical, God-ordained structures of authority and accountability so he doesn’t invite treatment as “an heathen man and a publican”.

Before I attended BJU, another controversy – Freemasonry vs Christianity- raged in the BJU board room. Someone had asked Bob Jones III his position on Freemasonry. He stated:

“It [Masonry] is a Luciferean religion. We are fully aware of its diabolical origin and purpose…I believe that any born-again Christian, when the facts from the lips of the Masonic writers themselves are presented, showing that Masonry is a religion and is the worship of Satan, will immediately withdraw.” Bob Jones III, June 30, 1974

When it was pointed out that BJU had Masons on its board, the Jones boys tried to ignore the issue in order to accommodate Masons like Senator Strom Thurmond. When they could no longer ignore the issue, they resolved the debate by removing from the board the man who brought up the issue and also by promoting John McLario, a board member who had lied about his affiliation with Masonry. With that demonstration of righteous resolve, opposition ceased. Dr. Jones, Jr. wrote in 1975, “I personally do not see that membership in a secret society violates a scriptural teaching on separation…We do no share [a] concern and alarm that membership is affiliation with apostasy.” Thus, Bob Jones III was free to reverse himself on February 26, 1976.

“…[T]he [Mason] writers most certainly indicate that they believe Masonry to be the worship of Satan. However, that concept is certainly not communicated to the rank and file Mason; and I know Christian Masons who would be horrified at the idea and would withdraw in a minute if that is what they felt it was…” [Note Matt. 6:24]

In another controversy, a Korean-born American enrolled at BJU. When he first presented himself to the ‘race judges’ at BJU, he was judged Oriental. Thus, he could only date Oriental girls. During the next year, he was judged Caucasian and able to date white girls.

Another racial controversy arose involving a Greenville church the year I graduated. The church apparently violated BJU’s “sweeping, White-Throne-Judgment” on interracial marriage by granting membership to a racially mixed couple. BJU ended this debate the next morning by giving ‘pink slips’ to two of the white church staffers who also taught at BJU.

Then, there was the controversy involving BJU race/tax case. Word has it that the Joneses were counseled by attorney John Whitehead that if they pursued their weak case to the Supreme Court, any adverse ruling would not only affect BJU but a host of other Christian organizations. Mr. Whitehead reportedly came away from this meeting with this assessment: “You just can’t tell those people anything”. The Jones boys apparently ignored the counsel, the Supreme Court ruled against them, and the Christian organizations have been suffering as a result ever since.

Clearly, those in the BJU family who value its patronage are conditioned to think and act in unison and march lock-step with Dr. Jones III. Choosing the wrong associate or the wrong side I a BJU debate is normally fatal. One could lose his career, his friends, and his standing in BJU’s religious fraternity. Those are high stakes in this gelded age, as the 25 men who signed your open letter well know. Note these thoughts I penned to Bob last December:

“The reason your father observed that BJU graduates don’t have ‘judgement’ and are ‘lacking intelligence’ is that they aren’t given the imprimatur to exercise either without fearing the terminal consequences of disagreeing with you. Those who hope to survive learn: ‘Nobody disagrees with Bob Jones and remains his friend for long.’ Thus, when first faced with issues of import, your graduates are [conditioned to ask], ‘What does Dr. Bob say?’ They ought to ask, ‘What does God’s Word say?’ We don’t need popes and BJU yes-men in the independent church movement. We need discerning men who believe in the individual priesthood and who first seek favor with God and not Bob Jones III.”

It is too bad you feel that BJU was the victim of a sneak attack; what goes around usually comes around. Likewise, don’t bee too hasty in judging a lack of response to the invitation to your forum as an “all-too-human tendency to neglect the common courtesies of life.” Did you ever consider that BJU’s reputation regarding preemptive attacks and open forums may have preceded your letter? Perhaps Dr. Horton was aware of experiences such as Dr. J. C. Joiner’s:

“[Bob, Jr.], I do have ‘ought against you.’ I attended the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship meeting in Tempe…and witnessed the “open” forum…In my opinion; the open forum was not ‘open’ at all because no one was allowed to speak from the floor. The forum degenerated into a gossip session!...You pronounced judgement on Dr. John R. Rice, that he as old and senile and that is ministry…had been significantly influenced by two frustrated women on his staff who have convinced him that he is perfect…The hour of the forum was to be given to discussion of issues and problems that face fundamentalists, but sadly most of that hour was ill-spent in ridicule and character assassinations…”

Dr. Wisdom, review the standards by which you judged PCC in this present controversy; ethical fairness, agreeable restatement of the opposing position, misrepresentation, demeaning talk, ridicule, factual errors, gratuitous assumption, reputation, etc. BJU has violated each of those standards for over thirty years. Paul said it thus, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things…thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” (Rom. 2:1, 21) Professor Wisdom, you made a fatal error by shifting the focus to ethical fairness and by vaporously claiming that BJU’s “71-year reputation speaks for itself”. Perhaps by listening to its reputation speak we can determine if BJU evidences God’s Spirit or not. (Beloved…try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out…,”) [Jn. 4:1]

BJU’s reputation for evil speaking and inordinate judgments

“_____ couldn’t preach his way out of a wet paper bag.” As ‘preached’ by Bob Jones III

“Pastor _____ stole a church.” Bob Jones III’s unilateral judgment of a pastor. (I Tim. 5:19)

BJU’s reputation for having a faculty that lacks the Pauline discernment and fortitude to hold the Joneses to the same standards by which they judge the Joneses enemies

“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). Peter Ruckman has violated these scriptural commands…Ruckman’s words cannot be termed ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15)…Since Ruckman does not meet the scriptural qualifications for a Christian minister, no church or school should offer him a preaching opportunity. The Lord equips and qualifies His ministers for His service.” Professor Custer

BJU’s reputation for the ‘agreeable’ restatement of their opponent’s positions

“Perhaps I should not be so harsh with you. Maybe you got gassed or injured in the war and are not responsible for what you say or do…You talk about love and Christian attitude. Your letter is a perfect example of hate mail…Your letter does not even deserve a reply, but I am going to call your bluff. Now, put up or shut up.” Bob Jones, Jr.

“You are either a simpleton or a liar. I would like to believe you just do not have any sense. What makes you think you have a corner on the truth?” Bob Jones, Jr.

“As far as I am concerned, it could not matter less whether you are in total disagreement with me or not…All I can say about ___ is that he is a liar and a crook…It is strange that if [BJU] was underhanded and evil, he remained here until we kicked his tail off campus.” Bob Jones, Jr.

BJU’s reputation for using underhanded tactics to discredit those who correct them

“He has slandered and vilified his alma mater…He has said that we are approving apostasy…He has lost all reason…a kind man, a good man, would not do this.” An attorney commented: “It is my opinion that [Dr. Jones III’s above words] constitute actionable and recoverable libel per se.”

BJU’s reputation for a wilful disregard of facts and for speaking lies in hypocrisy

After wilfully ignoring the truth about irregularities at Northside Baptist, his home church 200 miles from his home, Dr. Bob Jones III ‘preached’ thus in chapel to BJU’s unsuspecting student body: “Are you a character assassin? Do you go around saying things you have heard without checking them out?...You are a diablos when you do that. You are a devil…When we become slanderers of other people’s character, when we tell untrue things to defame them and hurt them and make them look smaller in other people’s eyes. We are diablos, a false accuser.” 90 seconds later, he said, “Judas was a betrayer of the Lord Jesus…Churches are full of people like that. I was talking to a pastor Friday. A man in the church became a betrayer. He got it in his idea that there was some ‘misuse of funds’…And this man even hired [SLED] to come in. This is a member of the church, a deacon. Turned on his pastor. Betrayed him. [SLED] people came in…said, ‘We can’t figure out what this guy is upset about. There’s nothing here.”

BJU’s reputation for ignoring the truth and refusing to repent from false witness

SLED spokesman, Hugh Munn, reviewed Bob’s above ‘preaching’ and issued this statement: “[A}gents are forbidden to ‘moonlight’ in other police-related businesses…In short, I don’t think such an incident occurred involving a SLED agent.” Still, Jones III refuses to face the facts.

BJU’s reputation for saying they want to know the truth while they ignore the truth

Excerpt from a letter to a pastor regarding Bob Jones III’s wilful disregard of the truth: “Dear Rev. ___, …Dr. Bob, Sr. said, ‘If you know what is right and will not do what is right, it is sin. It is sin for a man not to do what is right even if he does not know what is right but could know what is right’…[It seems to me that a] man who refuses to know the truth is, by definition, thoroughly dishonest. It would seem that this principle would extend to groups of people, universities, and religious movements. It would most certainly include a man who professes an aversion to being a ‘character assassin’ and who maintains that he believes that ‘checking them [reports] out’ to be a prerequisite to ‘saying things you have heard’ about others!”

BJU’s reputation for having a president and graduates who practice situation ethics

“…it was not the duty-bound combat veteran with the chest full of Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals, and combat ribbons who was the ‘betrayer’. Rather, it was a group of BJU grads who were guided by their won self-interests and who reduced Biblical principles to carnal weaponry. Dr. Bob Sr. said, ‘A man’s character is not formed in the moment of crisis, it is revealed’…Your conduct reveals a character which belies BJU’s highminded prattle about standing for the ‘absolute authority of the Bible’ and ‘the old-time religion’…it is obvious that the Bible has little actual authority over the group. Once-upon-a time BJU’s teachers condemned situation ethics. Today, situation ethics are standard operating procedure for many in the BJU crowd…People are catching on to your see-no-evil, hear-no-evil antics. Acting blind, deaf, and dumb can be useful at times, especially at a BJU fundraiser[hosted by John Stevens and Northside Baptist].” 1997 letter to Bob Jones III

BJU’s president’s reputation for subverting and evading the Matthew 18 principle

“Incidentally, [Bob] who at BJU gave you…the idea to keep your church membership out of Greenville and secret? What a cunning, self-serving way to undermine and evade the Matthew 18 principle of Christ and spurn biblical accountability. Such clever dodges have served you well.” Letter to Bob Jones III from Mark Fitzhenry

BJU’s reputation for a cult-like, ungodly attitude toward Chrisitan forgiveness and loyalty

“Disloyalty [to me and BJU] is a character fault that I do not believe is ever cured. I will forgive a disloyal person if he asks me to, but I will never trust him again…[W]hen Bob Jones University has had to draw battle lines and take a position, those who are students or faculty and do not stand with us are traitors to the cause this institution represents; and there is no reason why we should ever let them return. We will forgive them if they ask us, but we could not trust them not to betray us again if the occasion arose.” (Emphasis added, note Matthew 6:15 and Ephesians 4:32)

BJU’s reputation for slipping accountability, unethical debate, and coercing its alumni

“Your letter [asking for a statement including, ‘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 (Emphasis added, note Pr. 18:17 and Eph. 5:21)

BJU’s reputation for blundering judgements and for rejecting biblically mandated inquiry

“I thought there was enough integrity in our relationship that you would not ask questions of me before [Titus 3:10] labeling me a heretic.” Quoted from a letter* written to Bob III regarding his unprovoked and unfactual attack in BJU’s Faith for the Family. Jones did not retract this mischief. His magazine ceased publication with that issue. Having done his dirty work, Bob issued a weak, poorly circulated mea culpa: “…once you published in your own paper an article [correcting the falsehoods we widely circulated]…we have never said another word about it…” *Name withheld as Bob’s enemies evidently have no biblical rights and deserve no defense.

BJU’s reputation for duplicity, deceit, and for the ridiculing of the tenets of faith BJU taught its graduates

“The attitude of the president toward graduates who take a ‘Calvinistic stance’ is most unbecoming. I just talked to a man a few days ago who received all his theological education at BJU, and yet he cam under your ridicule for embracing Reformed Theology or five-point Calvinism. If you had not retained the five-pointers on the BJU faculty, there would have been no need to debase your graduates. They usually believe what they are taught. If you had not kept the five-pointers, your faculty would have been decimated, as you well know. If have a note from you in which you stated regarding Calvinism, ‘We are not so much against the doctrine as we are against the emphasis.’ Now, that statement may seem logical to you, but to me it is illogical. A man, of necessity, must emphasize what he believes or else the could be no honest conviction…When people faced me with the duplicity of the leadership of the university, I simply disbelieved it…After I left the university…I made it a matter of personal investigation. Then I became convinced of your double-dealing with the truth with good men and your compromise…I am speaking about the chancellor and the president who have betrayed so many alumni, former students, and supporters, that it makes me heartsick…I have not only found compromise, but I have found pure deceit with regard to that compromise…It has been my hope that the Lord will not have to say of BJU: ‘Ephraim [BJU] is joined to idols: Let him alone.’ (Hos. 4:17)” Open Letter to Dr. Bob Jones III from Rev. Charles Underwood, BJU’s former Director of Church planting. Note: After BJU’s flip-flop and purge of Calvinists, the Jones boys took up with “Ireland’s leaving five-point Calvinist,” Dr. Ian Paisley! As Jack van Impe said of his hypocritical fundamentalist colleagues after they turned on him, "Consistency, thou art a jewel!"

BJU’s reputation with a recent former high ranking administrator

“The spirit of God was not present in BJU’s staff meetings.” Orin Briggs, BJU’s former attorney.

BJU’s reputation for fundamentalist popery, per Dr. Carl Malone, former board member

“[Bob, Jr.] I will not allow you to dictate the terms of God’s will for my life. I resign.”

BJU’s reputation for “yes-men” as it was irreverently mocked by BJU’s former attorney

The chairs in BJU’s board room are welded so as to rock ‘yes’ but not to swivel ‘no’.

There are only three votes that really count on BJU’s board, the president’s, the chancellor’s, and our Lord’s, and sometimes our Lord is out-voted 2-to-1. Both jokes by attorney Orin Briggs

BJU’s reputation for inconsistency and double-dealing

“Any discerning Christian, when faced with the myriad inconsistencies between BJU’s walk and its talk, its practices and judgements of outsiders, would conclude that BJU’s forte is having it both ways: Laws for all faults but faults so countenanced that they stand like forfeits in a barber’s shop. As much in mock as mark.” Letter to Bob Jones III by Mark Fitzhenry

Conclusions

1. Those who don’t practice the ethics they preach to others have no place in ethical debate.

2. In an extra-biblical, extra-church business, the man at the top sets the climate and his underlings think and act in concert and in lock-step with the atmosphere he dictates.

3. If the leadership at BJU has taught anything, it is that Biblical principles can be quite flexible in hands that view the Word of God as an advertising prop to market education and a single-edged sword with which to bludgeon their competitors and personal enemies.

4. One can tell much about a man by observing how he treats his friends, his enemies, and his betters. But, the best way to evaluate a so-called religious leader’s character and his reputation is by observing how he treats the subordinates over whom he exercises authority and control.

5. Bob Jones III is positioned so as to operate outside God-ordained structures of accountability. He is a “corporate business preacher” with no discernible biblical cover or scriptural precedence.

6. God’s Spirit is not free to lead in an atmosphere of coercion and intimidation. (Ephesians 6:6)

7. Those who succeed at BJU often choose cowed servility to the man who signs their check over humble submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit in matters of faith and practice. Those who do no submit to the whims and dictates of the top man do not last long. There is truth as well as humor in the joke that BJU’s fight song is, “Whose song I sing is whose bread I eat.”

8. Idolatry occurs when a man decides that his relationship to a person or institution, rather than his relationship with Christ, is pre-eminent in determining his religious and spiritual standing.

9. A man’s moral authority and credibility is determined, in part, by the company he keeps: “For you to associate yourself with such a man as ____, discredits everything you preach because it is at variance with the principles you say you stand for and the position you claim to take…” (Bob, Jr.)

10. Bob Jones III enjoys what is in effect a moral blank check- a dispensational exemption from clear biblical standards of conduct – granted by those who are dependent upon BJU’s patronage.

11. The two most important tasks of anyone aspiring to be a Christian leader in Christ’s Church are setting a good example and maintaining a good reputation. (I Tim. 3:7 and 4:12)

12. Whether for good or ill, educators teach their students by example.

13. It is unseemly for men, who display a calculated, self-absorbed, wilful disregard for truth and facts, to pretend as if they are the ultimate arbiters and champions of the Word of Truth.

After reviewing information from BJU’s president, chancellor, faculty, staff, students, parents, friends, and foes, I concluded that BJU has repeatedly violated each of your standards. A former BJ dean, Ken Hay, once commented thus when pressed to honestly face BJU’s reputation, “Any response that I give to you is going to be ‘damned if I do and damned if I don’t’.” The Faustain atmosphere propagated by the Jones boys reminds one of the cronyism and coercion fostered by former Louisiana governor, Edwin Edwards. The honorable governor claimed that he could get by with anything “as long as they don’t find me in bed with a live boy or a dead girl.”

I’m not convinced that being a ‘Jones’ or being in the education business qualifies one for leadership in Christ’s Church. BJU’s mixture of nepotism and sycophantism has yet to produce one godly Christian leader. Independent Baptists think that being a ‘Jones’ is enough to grand pulpit time to those apparently scripturally disqualified as pulpit stuff. I weary of [Phil] Shuler-ite preachers who worship BJU’s patronage: “When you break with Bob Jones, you break with [BJU]…I would never break with him!” It seems that in BJU’s orbit, religious patronage, shameless compromise, Jesuit rationalization, self-deception, personal loyalty, and institutional idolatry are an addictive potion.

Now, Bob, your treatment of Baptist churches as though they are fund-raising and recruiting annexes for Bob Jones University is shameful. Shame on you for peddling you family’s corporate business from church pulpits! If you want to be a pulpited Gospel preacher, leave your business, seek forgiveness from those you have wronged, renounce your reputation and the hidden things of darkness in your religious life, work on attaining true and scriptural and spiritual qualifications, submit yourself to biblical church accountability and cover, and go into full-time evangelism or the pastorate. Like Dr. Custer almost said, “[If any man] does not meet the scriptural qualifications for a Christian minister, no church or school should offer him a preaching opportunity. The Lord equips and qualifies His ministers for His service.” Of course, he would never apply such a standard to a Jones because he hasn't the spiritual integrity to do so. He sings the song of those who sign his paycheck and he has done so for some 50 years.

If a video called The Leaven of Fundamentalism ii is made, it should focus on religious leaders and hypocrisy, Luke 12:1, “…Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The same leaven of hypocrisy and carnal authoritarianism that plagued the fundamentalist leaders in Christ’s day has infected some notable fundamentalist leaders of today.

Dr. Wisdom, the wisest thing you could do is to withdraw from this debate. If this debate is argued on “ethical fairness” and BJU’s “71-year reputation…for being absolutely inflexible in its convictions concerning the Word of God,” BJU will lose. BJU’s reputation is so shameful that its defenders are forced to pretend it doesn’t exist. Make way for a champion with a reputation for ethical fairness, moral authority, love for truth, intellectual honesty, and ecclesiastic consistency.

Warren Buffet said, “It takes 25 years to build a reputation and only 5 minutes to ruin it.” That is Biblical: “Even a child is known by his doings…” (Pr. 20:11) The reputation of BJU for religious authoritarianism has shown that such a philosophy invariably produces religious cronyism, compromise, and tyranny (I Tim. 5:20-22). It would be refreshing to see men at BJU – and in the independent church movement as well – who retain some manly distinctives and godly, Spirit-led independence. Christ’s Church needs men with Pauline convictions and fortitude – men who are more concerned with righteous judgment and purity of leadership than they are in furthering their own careers and ministries.

Sincerely,

Mark Fitzhenry

cc: Dr. Arlin Horton
The BJU Bible Department 25

(Slightly edited, 2007)

Bob Jones University's Leadership: Do not ye after their works for they Say and Do not

Quotes of the Day:

"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." Matthew 23: 3, 4

"I have seen corruption boil and bubble 'til it o'errun the stew. Laws for all faults, But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, As much in mock as mark." W. Shakespeare on the rules of Bob Jones University

"[First Lady Betty Ford] "is a slut." Dr. Bob Jones Jr. in a chapel address to the student body of Bob Jones University in my senior year, 1980.

"South Carolina Civil Code CHAPTER 75. SUITS INVOLVING MISCELLANEOUS ACTS OF WRONGFUL CONDUCT
SECTION 15-75-10. Imputation of want of chastity to female.
If any person shall utter and publish, either by writing or verbally, any words of and concerning any female imputing to her a want of chastity, the person so uttering and publishing such words shall be liable for damages in a civil action brought by the female of whom the words may be uttered and published, without proving any special damage, subject, nevertheless, to the rules of evidence.
SECTION 15-75-10 is not unconstitutional. Wardlaw v. Peck (S.C.App. 1984) 282 S.C. 199, 318 S.E.2d 270.
ALR and L Ed Annotations -
Actionability of charge of being a "slut," "bitch," or "son of a bitch." 13 ALR3d 807."

Bob Jones University's Leadership: Do not ye after their works for they Say and Do not

Warren Buffet once said, "It takes 25 years to build a good reputation and just five minutes to ruin it." Dr. Bob Jones Jr. did nothing to build a good reputation and certainly ruined the good reputations of those associated with Bob Jones University with such crude talk about the First Lady of the United States. Unfortunately, Dr. Bob Jones Jr.'s reputation was not the only reputation ruined; he also damaged the reputation of Bob Jones University, its administrators, its staff, students, graduates, and supporters. And, since Dr. Bob Jones Jr. was such a loud proponent of fundamentalist Christianity, he damaged the reputations of his fundamentalist friends.

To my knowledge, neither Bob Jones Jr., nor any of the Joneses, have ever acknowledged the gravity of calling the First Lady of the United States of America "a slut." This is a strange silence for this group of outspoken moral crusaders. The Joneses and their followers often sweep such "dirty laundry" under the carpet. Powerful independent fundamentalist leaders often seem to escape biblical accountability. Some seem to have adopted the ethics of former Louisiana Governor Edwards, who said he could "get away with anything so long as he wasn't caught in bed with a live boy or a dead girl." The rank-and-file independent fundamentalist, like the students at Bob Jones University in this case, seem to have been conditioned to blindly support their leaders and to never speak out!

Yet, the Book for which the Joneses claim is the basis for Bob Jones University's standards of faith and practice, commands Christians to "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 3:31) Evidently from their actions, the Joneses do not think that the Bible's commands apply to them and theirs. And this selective application of the rules of conduct and this sort of double standard defines one disturbing aspect of Bob Jones University fundamentalism.

Bob Jones University presents itself as an institution of higher learning. What lessons were taught to the students and the fundamentalists who hang on every word the Joneses utter? Obviously, each one of the seven or eight deans of Bob Jones University who were sitting on the platform behind Dr. Bob Jones Jr. when he cursed the First Lady, knew the Bible's teaching on inordinate speech.

I was watching Dr. Walter Fremont to see what I could learn from his reaction. His, like those of his fellow deans, his was silent assent. Evidently, he knew the terminal consequences of rebuking the man who signed his paychecks; like most Jonesians, Dr. Fremont was more comfortable rebuking those who questioned Dr. Jones' conduct. Dr. Fremont's silent approval was rewarded and now a gymnasium on the campus bears his name. In fact, not one of the educators on the platform that day rose to point the Nathanic finger at the man who violated the Ninth Commandment: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." The silence of the top educators at Bob Jones University was taken - by the student body and by the world - as their approval for Dr. Bob Jones Jr.'s inordinate speaking. And, this is not the only time the top educators at Bob Jones University remained quiet when they should have stood and rebuked Jonesian evil.

One of the lessons taught to the student body by Dr. Bob Jones Jr. and the administrators and faculty of Bob Jones University was that some people are above Biblical reproach and correction, not because they act in a manner "above reproach" but because of the positions they have achieved. Thus, it is no surprise that BJU students wink at the sins of a fundamentalist pastor of an independent church; fundamentalist pastors are normally viewed as above Biblical reproach and correction by their church members much the same way the Joneses are within the Jonesian orbit.

Not only did Dr. Bob Jones Jr. violate God's Law, he also violated man's law, as is evidenced by the above cite from South Carolina Civil Law: SUITS INVOLVING MISCELLANEOUS ACTS OF WRONGFUL CONDUCT, SECTION 15-75-10, Imputation of want of chastity to female. Additionally, Slander and Libel are Criminal in nature as codified in the South Carolina Criminal Code. Dr. Bob Jones Jr.'s statement was maliciously slanderous. President and First Lady Ford apparently chose to consider the source and ignored the fundamentalist's tirade.

Dr. Bob Jones Jr. also violated the trust of those of us who attended Bob Jones University, especially those of us who received degrees from the school with BOB JONES UNIVERSITY emblazoned across the top of the diploma! In doing so he negated all of the outward show of righteousness of the faculty, staff, and student body; long hemlines and short haircuts can only do so much! What is the use of banning soft rock music like The Carpenters and John Denver if your chancellor uses the vocabulary of a Rap group!

If you mention this incident to a Bob Jones University student or graduate, you can watch his eyes glaze over and he becomes very quiet. It really is the only defense for indefensible conduct. Unfortunately, this is also the way of personality cults.

The world did not miss the incongruity of the chancellor of Bob Jones University - the school that is so loud in tooting its own horn and so free with its pious public rebukes of the faults of others - would speak in such an unholy manner about the wife of the President of the United States. No doubt there would have been "hell to pay" if a student or another fundamentalist preacher had called Mrs. Bob Jones Jr. or Beneth Peter Jones III "a slut!" But, the Golden Rule has never been an important "fundamentalist doctrine" and the Joneses like it that way. It gives them a bit more freedom to be Joneses while selectively espousing selected fundamentalist doctrines that they find more convenient and useful. At Bob Jones University, it is not important what the Bible teaches so much as what the Joneses teach and practice: they can justify practically anything from the Bible.

The Joneses talk about the "character training" at Bob Jones University and "standing for the absolute authority of the Bible" but they seem to have failed to embrace those teachings as they apply to themselves. While the Joneses have set themselves up as "theological policemen" according to Mark Dalhouse in his book An Island in the Lake of Fire, none of their fundamentalist friends or employees "police" the Joneses: the Joneses don't look kindly on those who question them. Dr. Bob Jones Jr. was viewed as the "crazy uncle" of Bob Jones University; one never knew when he would open his mouth and make himself, and everyone in Jonesdom, look like mindless cultish religious hypocrites in a personality cult.

It is this type of incident - and the interracial dating ban is included in the list along with a host of attacks on public figures - that sticks in the public consciousness and fixes in the minds of the public a negative view of Bob Jones University. The public sees the incongruity between what Christ taught about dealing with people and the practices of the Joneses in dealing with others.

Those students who went out to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who identified themselves with Bob Jones University, operated under an unnecessary handicap. "Good morning, Sir. I'm from Bob Jones University. Are you a Christian?" "Oh, is that the school that called First Lady Betty Ford 'a slut?' I'm really not interested." "Oh, but sir, we men students have short hair, and the girls have long skirts, and we are led by Dr. Bob Jones Jr. He is one of the greatest fundamentalists in the world! Don't you want to be a Bob Jones University-styled fundamentalist Christian, too?"

It is one thing for someone to "stumble" and reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is quite another thing for someone to reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ because of this type of conduct. You Jonesians who silently worship everything "Jones" may be happy as pigs in slop, but don't be surprised if people don't want to wallow in the slop with you.

Why shouldn't the world question fundamentalists and the message they bear? With publicity like this preceding the Gospel according to Bob Jones University, it is a wonder that there is not a more vitriolic reaction to Bob Jones University students. And, that is just from those who do not know how the Joneses treat their brethren; First Lady Betty Ford got off easy in comparison! I have seen how the Joneses treat their fellow Christians and it is often worse than that afforded to Betty Ford!

What's the solution? The Jonesian solution is to give the Joneses and Bob Jones University 'a pass' and start attacking me. But, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, "It is better to wash dirty linen in public than to not wash it at all." I could not agree more heartily! I might add, "It is better to wash dirty linen late than never at all."

There is nothing preventing the chancellor of Bob Jones University, Dr. Bob Jones III, and the president of Bob Jones University, Stephen Jones, from contacting former First Lady Betty Ford and offering an apology on behalf of Bob Jones University. Wouldn't it be refreshing to see the Joneses and Bob Jones University operate under the biblical principles that they require of everyone else? But then, the Joneses "say and do not."

BOB JONES AND THE MEMORY HOLE

Quote of the Day:

"One of the key components of Christian teaching is metanoia, or repentance. That means admitting your faults, because if you won't admit them, you can't really correct them. Even if you change your behavior, if you can't admit it was wrong, you're not changing yourself, you're just bowing to superior firepower." (Seebach, Exhibit 7)

Dr. Bob Jones III has never been honest in facing his wrongdoing. The way to "make things right" is to admit when we are wrong and go to those we have wronged and make restitution and ask for forgiveness. The process builds character....and, boy, have I had to "build character" a time or two in my life.

How things might have been different if the supporters of Bob Jones University who never seem to remember some of BJU's darker days, the preachers who hang on to Dr. Bob Jones III's coattails, and the administrators, faculty, staff, students and graduates of Bob Jones University who bask in Jonesian patronage, would have insisted that Bob Jones III publicly admit his wrongdoing and/or abuse of the brethren and "make things right"?

Check out this link and a well-thought out post on Dr. Bob Jones III's habit of forgetting his wrongdoing.

Here is the entire article:

"Bob Jones and the memory hole

One of the key components of Christian teaching is metanoia, or repentance. That means admitting your faults, because if you won't admit them, you can't really correct them. Even if you change your behavior, if you can't admit it was wrong, you're not changing yourself, you're just bowing to superior firepower.

Bob Jones university, for a number of years, absolutely banned black students. No admission. They eventually allowed black students, but they didn't let them date white students. In February of 2000, with much to-do, they "removed" this policy; they now allowed interracial dating with the signatures of both parents. Today, even that policy is gone.

Both policies are, in fact, so far gone that it's very hard to find what the actual text of the policies was. Archives that used to contain these have mostly somehow had them deleted. The Wayback Machine's otherwise excellent cache of BJU pages is oddly short of pages that refer to this policy.

That's the thing; that's not "repentance". That's "denial". Throughout, every time someone has questioned a policy, the BJU people have said that they were right but they are changing for some reason that has nothing to do with them being wrong.

Their angrily defensive tone says it all; this excerpt is from their 2000 piece angrily responding to criticism of their mild step back on the dating policy:

Is Bob Jones University tax exempt? No. The Supreme Court took it away from us in 1983 with a ruling that said, "First Amendment rights (freedom of religion) must yield in the interest of Federal public policy." This bone-chilling legal conclusion puts every church and religious organization in America in jeopardy. Religious freedom guarantees of the First Amendment are no longer their protection. They are now expected to adopt prevailing social policy into their belief system or be punished (in the case of Bob Jones University that punishment was the lifting of tax exemption).

Of course, the 1983 ruling had to do with... The interracial dating policy.

Nice dodge, guys.

I've written them and asked for more information about what the policy was and why they had it. No response.

But you can still find some of their initial reasoning:

Does the University believe that those who choose interracial marriage do so out of rebellion against God? No. It does believe, however, that often the promoters of it do so out of antagonism toward God because they are often the same entities that promote homosexuality, abortion, and other forms of social radicalism.

Bob Jones University's policy regarding interracial dating was more of an opposition to the rebellious and defiant antichrist spirit of the promoters of one-worldism than to interracial dating itself. Many who date and marry interracially are just as opposed to one-worldism and the spirit of Antichrist as we are.

Yes, that's right; interracial dating was a sign of the "one-world" antichrist people.

Edited to add:
One site (experts.about.com) has a copy of the policy:

There is to be no interracial dating.

:#Students who are partners in an interracial marriage will be expelled. [461 U.S. 574, 581]

:#Students who are members of or affiliated with any group or organization which holds as one of its goals or advocates interracial marriage will be expelled.

:#Students who date outside of their own race will be expelled.

:#Students who espouse, promote, or encourage others to violate the University's dating rules and regulations will be expelled."

The former policies of Bob Jones University on interracial dating are indebted to the founder's view that the Bible forbids interracial dating and marriage; though today Bob Jones University sometimes claims that the policy is a product of a (1950s) legal threat on the part of the parents of a female Asian student who threatened legal action after learning that their daughter was dating a white student.

I wish their original policy were still up. If it were, they could say "well, actually, we don't believe that".

Instead, they lie about what it was, and why it was there, and in so doing, they deny any hope of repentance. This is why so many Christian groups stress the confession of sins as a part of the process of forgiveness."

"Dances With Compromise" The Bob Jones University Twist

Quotes of the Day:

"...The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. All therefore, whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works; for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and frievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen of men...And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And Greetings in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi..." Matthew 23: 2-7

"That institution rivals anything outside of Mao’s China.” Dr. Nelson Bell on Bob Jones University after hearing of the purge of Calvinist students.

"Do I see compromise from a non-compromising Fundamentalist!?"..."When does Bob Jones University cave to adversity and suddenly drop convictions that they fought dearly for all the way to the US Supreme Court and lost their tax exempt status and say that it is just nothing!?" "Dances With Compromise" Author, commenting on Dr. Bob Jones III's so-called "Bible policy" on interracial dating.

Years ago, when I lived in my father's home, he confronted me with a report from someone and (an unflattering) observation about me. I defensively protested. However, my father cited the same observation had been made by another person who had no connection with the first person and it involved a completely different set of facts! He HAD me! I could do nothing but acknowledge the truth, unflattering as it was, because two people, looking at entirely different circumstances, had drawn the same conclusion. I was forced to face my fault honestly.

I have written much about the long history of duplicity and double dealing of the Joneses in Bob Jones University Exposed. I am not the only one to have noticed these traits.

On the website www.multracial.com, a Bob Jones University graduate, wrote an excellent article on the duplicity and dishonesty of Dr. Bob Jones III. The author has obviously taken a careful look at the issues and drawn logical, biblically consistent conclusions about Dr. Bob Jones III. This Bob Jones University graduate's observations and conclusions about Dr. Bob Jones III parallel my own. However, this graduate of Bob Jones University speaks with the authority of one who is in an interracial marriage!

The author has invoked anonymity. I cannot say that I blame him/her. I do not like anonymous postings of this sort in general. However, I must note that I am convinced that the author was a Bob Jones University student because of the accuracy and specificity of his description of Bob Jones University, the events he witnessed, and the conclusions he drew. Secondly, the incontravertible facts that he does present are consistent with what is published by other independent sources.

You parents who are considering sending your child to Bob Jones University should note one thing: the Joneses' influence in Fundamentalism is not benign: people, lives, ministries, and faiths are hurt by the Jonesian way and their double dealing with the truth and pragmatic expediency. Is this the kind of education you want for your child: abusiveness, double dealing with the truth, and pragmatic expediency? Those administrators, faculty, staff, students and parents of students at Bob Jones University who ignore that fact and silently support BJU and the Joneses while enjoying the fruits of Bob Jones University, are just as guilty as the Joneses. That is why a Jonesian cannot acknowledge the facts about Dr. Bob Jones III and Bob Jones University and maintain a pious, Jonesian self-image. Your money, students, and support sustain and encourage Dr. Bob Jones III, his education business, and his religious tyranny. Your silent acquiesence to the Joneses' doings have created an uncontrollable tyranny within fundamentalism.

Throughout Bob Jones University-styled fundamentalism, there is an inverted funnel of godly "fear" and responsibility. The leaders within the sect have conditioned the supporters - the underlings in the pews, staff positions, and classrooms - to fear the preachers within the movement and the Joneses. This lack of fear stems from a lack of exposure and public rebuke and censure when leaders engage in wrongdoing and abusiveness. Nothing could be more ungodly or lead to a more destructive religious structure.

There is a biblical solution to corruption within leadership:

"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, adn the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." (I Timothy 5:20-22)

Sadly, few people within the Bob Jones University orbit dare to practice this biblical solution to corruption within leadership....and, it shows.

"Dances With Compromise" The Bob Jones University Twist

Pragmatic Expediency: Dr. Bob Jones III's Guiding Principle for Deciding Faith, Practice, and Fellowship

Quotes of the Day:

“[The story of Bob Jones University-led neo-fundamentalism] is a story of heartache and pain inflicted by those who are driven by a spirit of inquisition against all who fail to conform to their narrow and rigid obsessions. In the tradition of the self-righteous, hell-raising Pharisees (the term used by Dr. John R. Rice), this group has ridden roughshod over all other believers in vengeful fury, wrapping themselves in a soiled and tattered banner of Christian separatism.” Roger Campbell

“For you to associate yourself with such a man in your crusades discredits everything you preach because it is at variance with the principles you claim to take.” Dr. Bob Jones Jr. to Dr. Jack van Impe

“It is not what you say, but what you do that counts. ‘Birds of a feather flock together.’ No one has ever accused me of not being a fundamentalist. Nor has anyone ever accused Bob Jones University of not being a fundamentalist institution, because their mouth and feet line up together.” Dr. Rodney Bell, criticising one of Dr. Jack van Impe's music men. (Bob Jones University is the embodiment of “a fundamentalist institution” by today’s standards precisely because their talk does NOT match their walk.)

“Has fundamentalism deteriorated to the point where one man or group sets itself up as judge and jury, sentencing innocent victims without a hearing? What a shame when religious leaders operate their organizations in such an unchristlike manner.”…”It’s a sad day when men are judged on the basis of the leadership’s likes and dislikes. This produces inconsistencies as ‘compromises’ are overlooked among friends but vehemently condemned among adversaries. This double standard is wrong.” Jack van Impe, Heart Disease in Christ’s Body, p. 137

“To be quite blunt, many organizations I encounter [profess a belief in the fundamentals] to maintain peer status, but lie, cheat, steal, carry on corrupt business practices, slander, commit fraud, and practice bitterness and hatred. But as long as they [believe the fundamentals], they are accepted by their peers. It would be hard to imagine a more hypocritical stance.” Wally Metts, Faith Brokers

"What does Bob Jones III really stand for? Does he have the strength to stand for anything?" Veena Thomas, MIT, The Tech Online

Pragmatic Expediency: Dr. Bob Jones III's Guiding Principle for Deciding Faith, Practice, and Fellowship

Forget everything Dr. Bob Jones III has ever taught or preached about his views on biblical faith and practice and separatism. Forget the high-minded tones and the self-promotion that Bob Jones University “stands for the absolute authority of the Bible.” Bob Jones University did not Author God’s Word and God has not delegated Dr. Bob Jones III or Bob Jones University as the final arbiters of Truth.

One would be wise to re-evaluate everything learned from Dr. Bob Jones III - in the light of unfiltered Scripture - about Faith, Practice, and Christian Fellowship.

One would also be wise to note the many betrayals of students, staff, administrators, friends and supporters of Bob Jones University to see how inept and duplicitous the Joneses have been in deciding matters of Faith, Practice, and Christian Fellowship as it relates to individuals.

In fact, there are a number of good reasons to not follow the lead of Dr. Bob Jones III or Bob Jones University on issues of faith and practice and ecclesiastic associations.

First, they are often wrong. But when they are wrong, they are not just wrong in the regular human sense; when Dr. Bob Jones III and Bob Jones University are wrong, they are dogmatically wrong. The Joneses have a history of zealously spreading wrong beliefs and practices to those under their control and persecute those who disagree with them. I often wonder how many people have been needlessly driven out of “Fundamentalism,” or a conservative theological orientation, by the Joneses, Bob Jones University, and the Bob Jones University ‘preacher boys’ who police everyone and everyone’s associations.

Secondly, they have often reversed themselves on issues, even issues of so-called “conviction” on which they punished and persecuted other believers. (The spirit of God is not always free to reign in an environment of coercion and intimidation.) While the Bob Jones University-faithful dutifully follow, those graduates and students who no longer quack the BJU-quack and waddle the BJU-waddle, are left to ferret out the truth from the fallacy that passed for Bible-training at Bob Jones University.

Third, one never knows what motivates the Joneses’ “separation” from this man or that institution. Is there truly a biblical reason for their actions or is it a preemptive strike designed to destroy someone’s credibility or ministry that the Joneses view as a threat or potential threat?

How many good men and good ministries have been destroyed by the Joneses, Bob Jones University, and Bob Jones University-styled fundamentalists?

Anyone who has dealt with Dr. Bob Jones III will come to the conclusion John Whitehead came to: “You can’t tell those people anything.” I have found Dr. Bob Jones III to be one who would willfully ignore truth when he discovered he would receive more comfort and cover from embracing lies. There are many other reasons not to take what Dr. Bob Jones III says as truth or biblical doctrine and practice, but that is not the point of this post.

If you want to know what position Dr. Bob Jones III will take on any issue, ask: What will benefit Bob Jones University the most?

It is my opinion, based upon numerous examples, that Dr. Bob Jones III evaluates everything, every issue, and everyone by one standard: What will benefit Bob Jones University the most?

One of the themes that I have tried to emphasize in this blog is the fact that Dr. Bob Jones III flip flops on issues with which he is confronted. His father, Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. flip flopped on issues and Dr. Bob Jones III has followed his lead. Not only is Dr. Bob Jones III’s religious life fraught with examples of huge reversals and contradictions, I have found that his associations often discredit what he preaches and the principles he claims to take. I have watched him embrace ministers who were scoundrels but who loyally supported Bob Jones University by sending it students and hiring its graduates.

Dr. Bob Jones III, Dr. Stephen Jones, and Bob Jones University are now involved in the King James Bible Controversy. Can they be trusted to objectively weigh the evidence and come to an honest, biblical conclusion regarding the matter of Bible translations? If the past is any indicator, "Probably not." Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (hypocrisy) which issues from the Joneses and BJU.

Charles Underwood’s Open Letter to Bob Jones III highlights reversal after reversal.
Underwood traces Dr. Bob Jones III’s reversals on Free Masonry and Masons on Bob Jones University’s board. At one point, Dr. Bob Jones III stated that Masonry was a “Luciferean religion” and “the worship of Satan.” When it was suggested to Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III that Masons had no place on the board of a “Christian school” it was suggested that the Masons be removed. When they were given time to reflect on the issue, the Joneses decided to retain on Bob Jones University’s board the highly influential 32-degree Mason, Senior South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, one of the most powerful men in the United States. The explanation for the flip flop? “I personally do not see that membership in a secret society violates a scriptural teaching on separation.”…”We [Dr. Jones Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III] do not share [a] concern and alarm that membership in a secret society [Masonry] is affiliation with apostasy.”

How does one explain such a huge flip flop by the Joneses? What could motivate such a total reversal in the talk and walk of Dr. Bob Jones III and Bob Jones University?

Dr. Roland Rasmussen noted the the Joneses' flip flop:
“Was Dr. Bob Jones’ positional change [on Masonry] the result of newfound biblical conviction or was it the result of pragmatic expediency? If Dr. Bob Jones’ positional switch was the result of his following the pathway of expediency, then it was a tragic sacrifice of the permanent on the altar of the immediate.”

Underwood also detailed Dr. Bob Jones III’s and Dr. Bob Jones, Jr.’s reversal on Calvinism and the way the Joneses treated students who had embraced the Calvinistic teaching of Bob Jones University's Bible faculty. Underwood recounted Dr. Bob Jones, Jr.'s excoriation of one Calvinists who had received all his theological training from Bob Jones University. Dr. Bob Jones III said he was not so much against Calvinism but against its “emphasis”. Well, now, that is hardly the mark of a deep theological mind. But, in typical Jonesian-fashion, the Joneses fired all their Calvinist Bible teachers, hired Armenian Bible teachers, and proceeded to excoriate their Calvinist-educated graduates. That was a huge flip flop, but Dr. Bob Jones Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III were not done.

What Underwood did not discuss was the fact that the Joneses put at least one Calvinist church in Greenville, pastored by a BJU-grad, ”off-limits” to the university family. Dr. Bob Jones Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III and Bob Jones University then took up with the five-point Calvinist, Reverend Ian Paisley, likely the most well-known Five-Pointer in the world, and supported one of Paisley’s Calvinistic churches in Greenville!

Dr. Jack van Impe mentioned this situation in his book, Heart Disease in Christ’s Body, p. 236:
“Please see the situation: After ostracizing a Calvinist (Rev. Stuart Lattimer) and promoting an Arminian (Rev. Luther Sanders of Hawaii), Dr. Jones Jr. reversed gears and took up with Ireland’s leading five-point Calvinist, Dr. Ian Paisley, for a union that has been unsurpassed in his lifetime. When I spoke at the World Congress of Fundamentalists in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1976, I was startled to see “five-pointers” picketing the facilities where the lectures for the Congress were being delivered. The signs reprimanded Dr. Ian Paisley for compromise because of his relationship with Arminians Bob Jones [and Dr. Bob Jones III].”

“Today, Dr. Ian Paisley’s followers have established a church in Greenville, South Carolina, with the blessing of the [Joneses] upon it. How strange that Bob Jones University faculty members and students are urged to join a church whose doctrine is identical to that condemned by [Drs. Bob Jones, Jr. and Bob Jones III] just a few short years ago. How true is God’s Word in Romans 2:21: “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” Since I am unable to understand how ‘preacher boys’ can ignore such inconsistencies, I move on to the next issue.”

Could it be that Dr. Bob Jones III strains every issue through the sieve of “pragmatic expediency” and what would benefit Bob Jones University the most? It certainly has appeared that way for the past 30 years. How do you explain the huge flip flops on issues, the reversals on important matters, the betrayals of men and graduates who have taken godly stands, and the inconsistencies in separation and unseemly associations that have marked the leadership of Dr. Bob Jones III and Dr. Bob Jones, Jr.? Could it be that the Joneses thought that removing 32 Degree Mason Senator Strom Thurmond would jeopardize Bob Jones University's friendship with a powerful, if not Luciferean, friend who could aid BJU from time to time?

And, could it be that it was not honest Christian conviction that led the Joneses away from Calvinism - and to the persecution of students who embraced Calvinism - but a calculation that Bob Jones University would draw more students from their Independent Fundamental Baptist/Armenian base by distancing Bob Jones University from the minority base holding to Calvinism? The coercion of men and women of faith by the faculty and administration of Bob Jones University, even - and perhaps especially - students at Bob Jones University, has the ring of evil religious tyranny. But that is precisely what Bob Vincent details in the above link. Although Bob Vincent is good natured about his experience, it is disturbing that an institution with the degress of influence of BJU, would treat matters of personal faith in such a way.

And, the same goes for Dr. Bob Jones III’s reversal on the “Bible policy” regarding the ban on interracial dating and marriage. He was wrong on the issue, he imposed the ban on others, sold his followers on the idea, persecuted those who disagreed with him, and reversed himself and ended up looking foolish to anyone who knew what was happening. One person from MIT said what none of the Bob Jones University dared to say. As a Bob Jones University graduate, I am ashamed to say that Veena Thomas expresses precisely how the Joneses and Bob Jones University are perceived by the world. The real tragedy is, while the Bob Jones University-crowd was patting Dr. Bob Jones III on the back, Veena Thomas was posing some disturbing questions in her article "Bob Jones Shows His True Colors":

"Apparently Bob Jones University has had an official ban on interracial dating for many years. Its justification: “We stand against the one-world government, against the coming world of anti-Christ, which is a one world system of blending of all differences, of blending of national differences, economic differences, church differences, into a big one ecumenical world.”

BJU says it would prefer to keep the races separate. As a student put it, “My own personal belief is that God has made races perfect. God has made whites perfect and blacks and Orientals, and he hasn’t given us any reason to intermix those races.

“But he has made them perfect. It's not a policy that discriminates against the whites or the blacks or the Orientals, but it’s a policy that is equal to all three of the races.” Excuse me -- all three of the races? Don’t they teach students at BJU that not everyone falls so neatly into one of those three categories?

After the media spotlight hit BJU, suddenly the ban on interracial dating was dropped. Their sudden decision to eliminate the ban troubled me almost as much as their having it. Said Jones, “We have a broader testimony. And if all anybody can see is this rule, which we never talk about or preach, which most of our students couldn’t even tell you what it is. ... Why should we have this here as an obstacle?”

If Jones claims the rule is so insignificant, then why was it implemented for so many years, and why do students have such strong views favoring the ban? On the reverse side, if the rule was so important to the university, as is seemingly implied by its existence, why did they instantly eliminate it when attacked? What about standing up for your beliefs? What are Bob Jones University's true beliefs? What does Bob Jones III really stand for? Does he have the strength to stand for anything?" Veena Thomas

When the heat became too hot in the ‘kitchen of public opinion’ he reversed himself and abandoned his so-called “Bible-policy.” (If you want to know how Dr. Bob Jones III reacts when he loses control and can’t manipulate and coerce support, look at how he handled the public debate regarding this issue.)

But, Dr. Bob Jones III abandoned his so-called “Bible policy” under the media frenzy and public pressure saying the rule based upon "Bible policy" was "insignificant." If you Bob Jones University-supporters want to know how Dr. Bob Jones III would react if you people united and petitioned him to change the operation of Bob Jones University or he would lose your support and students, this is how he would react. Tyrants in general, and religious tyrants in particular, will only bow to the fear of meeting a superior force and power.

Whether it is a national issue or a local church issue, a doctrinal issue, Biblical practice, ecclesiastic association, or remaining faithful to graduates who practice what BJU preaches, Dr. Bob Jones III appears to approach them from the standpoint of pragmatic expediency or "What will benefit Bob Jones University the most?" That should prompt some serious thought by those who are contemplating sending their child to Bob Jones University to be trained by Dr. Bob Jones III and his son Dr. Stephen Jones.

And, it should also cause those of us graduates who received our training from Bob Jones University and Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III, to evaluate what we were taught by the Joneses and those faculty members who are first loyal to BJU and the Joneses. I have found much of what I was taught to be untrue and unbiblical.

Review Dr. Bob Jones III’s past, present, and future. Those who do so - in the unfiltered light of Scripture - will find enough reversals, flip flops, and inconsistencies to motivate a careful review of everything taught by the Joneses and Bob Jones University. As it is today, if I meet someone purporting to be a Christian who professes to be a supporter or friend of Dr. Bob Jones III's, I watch him carefully, especially if he is a supporting preacher of BJU's. Like Rod Bell says, "Birds of a feather flock together."

Dr. Bob Jones Sr. preached at chapel: “So, you want to know where a man stands with God? Ask him this one question: What does he think of this school?” Dr. Bob Jones Sr. planted the seeds of idolatry and now the grandson has embraced pragmatic expediency and idolatry for Bob Jones University as guiding principles in the formulation of faith, practice, and separation at Bob Jones University and within the Bob Jones University sect of fundamentalism.

I would like to thank "Pastor" Timothy Butler's friend, "Elder" Curtis Bostic for providing me with the opportunity to review Dr. Jack van Impe's book Heart Disease in Christ's Body. (For those who do not know Tim Butler and Curtis Bostic, they provided the impetus that led me to start this weblog. Tim Butler is a Bob Jones University graduate and Curtis Bostic, surprisingly, is from Appalachian Bible College.)

While I know Dr. Jack van Impe is no longer in favor with the Bob Jones University sect of fundamentalism, Dr. van Impe's comments, quotes, observations, and experiences were as enlightening as they were heart rending. I wonder what responsibility Dr. Jones Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III will have for their part in running Dr. Jack van Impe and others out of the more conservative circles of Christianity. I will always wonder what went on behind the scenes when I hear of Dr. Bob Jones III 'putting the word out' on another minister. What a sad, illuminating book. It is too bad it is no longer in print in its original form.

Pastoral Authority: Sitting in Moses' Seat

Quote of the Day:

“Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority over them. But is shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20: 25-28)

Thoughts on Pastoral Authority

All of the Bob Jones University-trained pastors I have “done church with,” except for one, have been authoritarian-types. This Bob Jones University-styled authoritarianism is contrary to that which Christ taught regarding spiritual leadership. Independent, fundamental Baptist churches are not known for their “interactive” style of consensus building. Frankly, the vast majority of independent fundamental preachers I have known have been nothing more than Baptist Popes. This is not entirely their fault. The vast majority of males in independent fundamentalist Baptist churches have no concept of the individual priesthood that is theirs. And, even if the rank-and-file fundamentalist Baptist pew sitter did, most haven’t the wit or the will to exercise it. They pay the preacher to lead and to run the church. They do little more than sit passively in pew, let others train their wife and children, and obey unbiblical edicts and follow unethical leadership like dumb, blind, sheared sheep.

Note these comments from Steve Atkerson on the true nature of spiritual leadership:

“In Hebrews 13:17 we are commanded: [“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…”], believers are encouraged to “obey” church leaders. Interestingly, the Greek behind “obey” is not the regular Greek word for the word “obey.” Instead, “peitho” is used, which literally means “to persuade” or “to convince.” Thus, Hebrews 13:17 should be rendered “let yourselves be persuaded by.” This same verse instructs believers to “submit” to the authority of their church leaders. As with “obey,” the common Greek word for “submit” is not used. Instead, “hupeiko” was chosen by the author, a word that still does mean “to give in, to yield,” but after a fight. It was used of combatants. The idea behind “hupeiko” is seen in Southern General Robert E. Lee’s letter to his troops concerning their surrender at Appomadox: “After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.”

Thus, God’s flock is to be open to being “persuaded by,” (peitho) its shepherds. In the course of on-going discussion and teaching the flock is to be “convinced by” (peitho) its leaders. In the course of on-going discussion and teaching the flock is to be “convinced by” (peitho) its leaders. Mindless slave-like obedience is rarely the relationship pictured in the New Testament between elders and the church. [Of course, Independent Baptist churches normally have one “elder,” the pastor. There is no “plurality of elders.”] However, there will be those times when someone or some few in the flock can’t be persuaded of something and an impasse will arise. When necessary to break the grid-lock, dissenters are to “give in to, to yield to” (hupeiko) the wisdom of the church leaders.”..."The apostles did not simply bark orders and issue injunctions (as a military commander might do). Instead, they treated other believers as equals and appealed directly to them as such. No doubt local church leaders led in much the same way. Their primary authority lay in their ability to influence with the truth. The respect they were given was honestly earned. It was the opposite of military authority wherein soldiers respect the rank but not necessarily the man." Steve Atkerson, Ekklesia: To the Root of Biblical House Church Life

In short, it is the idea espoused by Luther when he said 'unless I am convinced by the clear testimonies of Scripture...' In church situation after church situation, I have seen independent, fundamental Baptists mindlessly accept questionable doctrine or spiritual abuse from authoritarian preachers who bullied, deceived, and lied to manipulate or fool gullible, trusting, people into supporting unbiblical things.

In every independent, fundamental church I have attended, there has been one elder, the preacher. (Who ordains these people and to whom do they account for their deeds and misdeeds? What happens when an independent fundamental Baptist preacher disqualifies himself from being an elder in a New Testament church? When is the last time you heard of an independent, fundamental preacher being defrocked?) Most of the deacons were too weak, either in the head or in the heart, to challenge the preacher when he did evil. Each preacher manipulated the congregation in the ungodly manner common to tyrants or cult leaders: they demanded strict obedience and viewed those who questioned them with resentment and hatred. Thus, only the brave - or foolish - questioned his actions or decisions.

I am sure not every independent fundamental preacher operates this way. All I know is that every Bob Jones University-trained preacher I have sat under, except for one, has acted in this way. All of them had elements of the Eleven Marks of Perverted Authority. Here is a list.

ELEVEN MARKS OF PERVERTED AUTHORITY

(1) The claim of direct authority from God, rather than testing things by the Word. Many today have set "personal" revelation and experience above the final authority of God's Word. When this occurs there is no longer any basis for asertaining the will of God, as one would not be able to discern truth from error because the standard is "personal" rather than the Word of God.

(2) The command is to "submit to me," rather than "I will serve you."

(3) The method of leadership is to "order" people around, rather than to appeal for them to do the right things.

(4) There is a dominating, "pushy" drive instead of a dependence on God to direct.

(5) There is a sense of control, rather than a sense of support.

(6) A gift is exploited so that others are made to feel dependent on it.

(7) There is an inflexibility - "don't question me" - "don't touch the Lord's anointed."

(8) There is unapproachability and intimidation - the "aura" around the leader keeps the followers in "awe."

(9) There emerges an organization built around a man and his peculiar emphases instead of around Christ and His Word.

(10) There will be cyclical challenges to the authority figure (which are immediately and forcefully purged).

(11) There is more concern for maintaining the authoritarian structure than there is for caring about the people in it.

While this list describes Bob Jones University to a "T," it also, unsurprisingly, describes many of the preachers Bob Jones University and Dr. Bob Jones III, train.

Straining at Gnats and Swallowing Camels

Editor's note: I rode my bicycle 35 or so miles to Folly Beach, SC, after I initially made this post. It seems that the only oxygen that reaches my brain is that which comes during such workouts. With the infusion of oxygen to my brain, I decided to change the Category to AA Food for Thought: A Look at Jonesianism From a Matthew 23-Perspective.

Christ says in Matthew 23:2, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat..." Mark Dalhouse observed that the Joneses have become "theological policemen." And, the Joneses and those who have adopted the Jonesian-ways often come across as Pharisaical....well, because they act like modern iterations of the Pharisees. That trend will not soon change: I have seen the types of students from my days at Bob Jones University who have risen to prominence within the BJU-orbit and within the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International.

I trust that these short (I hope) posts will truly be Food For Thought and be the genesis of much needed renewal and reformation.

Quotes of the Day:

"When Gov. George Wallace stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to prevent a black student from registering, Bob Jr. awarded him an honorary doctorate and praised him as 'David, warring against the giant, Tyranny.' The Washington Post, May 5, 2005

Bob III also inherited a gift for pugnacious rhetoric. In the '60s, he told an interviewer: "A Negro is best when he serves at the table," then quickly added, "I'm not a racist." The Washington Post, "Getting the Bob out of Bob Jones U".

President Gerry Ford's wife, First Lady Betty Ford, "is a slut." Dr. Bob Jones Jr.

President Ronald Reagan is "a traitor." Dr. Bob Jones III

"The evil hate the light - the light of goodness that shows them up, the light of scrutiny that exposes them, the light that penetrates their deception." People of the Lie, M. Scott Peck, M.D.

“…for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8)

"Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." Matthew 23:24

As a Bob Jones University graduate, I often wondered at the intensity of the hatred and ridicule directed at the university, its leadership, faculty, and student body. It seemed so unjust. The university was so neat, orderly. As we were told over and over, "Bob Jones University 'stands for the absolute authority of the Bible." Criticism was, therefore, often attributed to hostility to the Bible and the Gospel of Christ. The Joneses assumed the role of "theological policemen" of the fundamentalist realm. Many BJU-styled Fundamentalists relinquished their "independence" and their God-ordained individual priesthoos and unquestioningly accepted the Joneses as theological policeman, often to their own harm.

I heard the Joneses preach to the student body at chapel daily. I admired faculty members like Dr. Walter Fremont. The student body consisted of modestly dressed young ladies and well-groomed, purposeful young men who were required to obey rules that the world finds odd. As I recall, Bob Jones University's rules forbade inordinate speech - which certainly must have included publicly calling the President of the United State's wife "a slut." Bob Jones University was strict in controling the students' behavior, sometimes down to the minutest degree. A student who offered a critical comment on the food was guilty of "griping." Griping is not tolerated at BJU and those who "gripe" are subject to explusion.

No doubt a student who called Beneth Jones "a slut," would have been summarily expelled as well. But, the president and the chancellor were not bound by the same general code of conduct and deportment that they rigidly applied to the students; the Joneses seem more inclined to "say and do not." And, they certainly haven't been great proponents of the Golden Rule, at least through their examples of how the treat others.

The faculty, staff, administrators, graduates, students, and supporting fundamentalist preachers across America all just smiled and acted like nothing happened when the Joneses acted like Joneses. But, that was the "camel" that we swallowed and it was a distinctively Jonesian camel that nourished us and made us, unsurprisingly, Jonesians with Jones-like attitudes and self-righteousness. This winking at the sins of their icons - idols, if you will - is the way of fundamentalists within the BJU/FBFI camp and the Hyles camp.

But, the world is not made up entirely of willingly duped people, or people willing to accept the Joneses theological policing coupled with their inordinate speech: moral authority has to be earned. And, it was not hard - at least for those capable of objectivity - to see the incongruity between the evil speaking of the Joneses and the outward appearances of the students and faculty: long dresses, neckties until lunch, no jeans, no handholding, no G-rated movies, etc.

The "talk" and the attitudes of the leaders did not match the "walk" of the followers and the air of piety. At Bob Jones University, Frank Sinatra's, "The Lady is a Tramp," was banned and, yet, the Joneses could "preach" that the First Lady of the United States "is a slut" from the chapel platform.

Bob Jones University sent out a mixed message, a message that certainly proved to be an impediment to those who went out on ministerial extensions to preach the Gospel from BJU. Lend an objective ear to a conversation between a Jonesian student and a lady from the Greenville area and hear how the BJU Gospel message was sent and received:

BJU student: "Good morning, ma'am. I'm from Bob Jones University and I would like to share to the Good News with you."

Lady: BJU? Isn't that the school that just called President Gerald Ford's wife a four-lettered word? Oh, and doesn't it ban interracial dating? How does that rule work with someone who is one-quarter black like me?"

BJU student: "Yes, that is the school where Dr. Bob Jones Jr. called Betty Ford 'a slut'. I have no idea how they treat mixed races; I'm white and I never thought about that. I like Dr. Bob and want to be just like him."

Lady: Well, what makes you think I want to hear what his students have to say?"

BJU student: "What's that? Did you see my nice short haircut and my new tie?"

Lady: Do you know what 'shallow externalism' and 'phariseeism' are?"

BJU student: "Huh? No, ma'am, I don't know what 'shallow externalism' and 'phariseeism' are. I'm a Bob Jones University Bible major and I'm going to be a preacher, just like Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III. We have rules at BJU. Did I tell you about my haircut and that we can only hold hands with girls off campus on Dating Outings? Do you want to hear about the rules at BJU and our high moral standards?"

Lady: I'm not interested in BJU's rules or anyone's 'high moral standards'. I am interested in knowing why a school that publicly calls the First Lady of my country 'a slut' would think I want to know what they think about me and my religion. Jesus didn't talk like that. Isn't it a form of immorality to speak that way in your religion?"

BJU student: "Well, 'immorality' is like adultery and stuff like that, I thought. The 'Golden Rule' is conditional. It's not expressing hatred by calling Betty Ford 'a slut.' And, Dr. Bob, that's what we call Dr. Bob Jones Jr., was "preaching" to us students and we didn't see anything wrong with it. We admire Dr. Bob Jones Jr. and everyone in my preacher boy classes wants to be like him."

What could be more self-righteously hypocritical than for the respresentatives of a school to talk publicly in such a crude, unchristian fashion? But, it is not just the words that people see and hear; people pick up on attitudes by the way the BJU-crowd acts towards others and the way they prosecute issues against those with whom they disagree.

Contrast this with the Amish. The Amish also have modestly dressed young ladies and well-grooomed, purposeful young men who are required to obey rules that the world finds odd. Yet, there is a consistency, a consistency that shone through in the tragic shootings of the little Amish girls in the school house shootings in Pennsylvania recently. The Amish were not perceived as followers of leaders like the Joneses who called those who had done them wrong "demon possesed monsters clothed in human flesh" as Bob Jones Jr. did U.S. Secretary of State, Al Haig. How the Amish did it, I do not know, but the Amish publicly forgave the murderer of their children and reached out to his wife! The message sent by the Amish was one of consistency and authenticity.

As Christ taught, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts...These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands [fail to follow man-made rules] defileth not a man." (Matthew 15:18-20) The fruit of a man's mouth reveals the seeds within his heart and reveals his character. Though the faculty and student body either did not detect it - or wouldn't risk the terminal consequences of speaking out - the world readily detected the inconsistencies between the inner heart that is to accompany the Gospel of Christ and heart attitudes accompanying the gospel according to the Joneses. And, the world did not hesitate to speak out with, at times, intense hatred and ridicule.

Dr. Bob Jones Sr. once said, "People won't mock consistent Christians, they will admire them." One instictively thinks of the Amish in Pennsylvania and the Christian character they displayed recently. For all the outward show of righteous piety, the rules, the neatly landscaped grounds, the doctored faculty, and the well-scrubbed students, the Joneses have proven to be huge albatrosses around the necks of the university family and graduates.

The evil speaking and the racial bigotry practiced and promoted by the leadership of Bob Jones University has worked against the testimony of those trying to spread the Gospel of Christ. People notice hypocrisy, even if those from BJU act as if they don't.

What kind of graduates will such an environment - an evironment with huge contradictions and gross hypocrisy - produce? Could it produce authoritarian leaders who ignore the corruption of their fellow preachers, who bind their own followers with burdens of externalism (gnat-stuff) and expect everyone to "swallow" their own outrageous (camel-stuff) behavior?

In light of the leadership of Bob Jones University over the past 80 years, why shouldn't the "children of this world" be wary when someone says he or she is a graduate of Bob Jones University? I am a graduate of Bob Jones University and I have learned - the hard way at times - to be wary of the Bob Jones University crowd. It is always good to find out Who (Jesus Christ or Dr. Bob Jones III) or what (Bob Jones University or Northside Baptist Church and John Stevens) they worship.

The best change that Bob Jones University's "president" [and, let's not kid ourselves, Dr. Bob Jones III the Chancellor, is "The Top Man" at BJU], Dr. Stephen Jones could make, would be to set aright some of the wrongs done by his predecessors in the name of God and their university. The chances of that happening appear slim. When questioned about these issues, Stephen Jones, like most people associated with the Joneses, becomes evasive. Wouldn't it be refreshing to see a Jones break with the sins of the fathers by going to those wronged in the name of Bob Jones University, make restitution, and beg forgiveness? Stephen Jones could start with a personal and then a public apology to First Lady Betty Ford and then apologize publicly to Steve Keyes, Wayne Golson, and Gerald and Jackie's family for retaliating against them for violating Bob Jones University's ungodly, unbiblical interracial dating/marriage ban. What do you say, Stephen Jones, Dr. Bob Jones III, and Jonathan Pait?