It is a big deal when a Christian University adopts a Statement of Faith. It is an even bigger deal when such a university is part of a non-creedal tradition.
To achieve this outcome one would normally envision a robust process of considerable length that engaged all stakeholders, including students, alumni, supporters, faculty, and staff. In the case of Hardin-Simmons University it appears that not only were these important groups not a part of the process, they were unaware that there was a statement being drafted. Reporting to date suggests that faculty and staff learned of the new Statement of Faith on May 31 – nearly two weeks after it was approved by the Trustees.
Initial Reaction
I wish I could say that my initial reaction to this news was surprise. In reality, my primary response was disappointment. Sadly, as a Logsdon graduate (M. Div., 2001) I was already well aware that the larger effort to remake HSU into something far more conservative started years ago.
Yesterday, just hours after learning about the Statement of Faith, I wrote Mourning the Loss of Logsdon, Direction of HSU. In that extended reflection I reviewed the University changes starting with the closure of Logsdon seminary before focusing on the Statemen of Faith. In that piece, I relied on the few articles that had been published, the data on HSU’s website, and the wisdom of the person who was serving a President of the Logsdon Alumni Council when the school’s closure was announced.
Reasons for Concern
One of my initial responses was to reach out to those I know and trust, especially those with far deeper involvement in Logsdon, including Dr. Robert Sellers.
Sellers served on the faculty for nearly 20 years and, then, in retirement was Professor of Theology Emeritus and Connally Chair of Missions Emeritus. In response to my inquiry, Sellers shared ten reasons he found the statement disappointing:
- It is a creedal statement.
- It could have been written by members of the Southern Baptists of Texas.
- It would never have been approved by any professor at Logsdon.
- It makes no provision for cooperation with or respect for persons of other faiths.
- It completely dismisses the validity of transgender persons.
- It rules out gay relationships totally.
- It treats sexuality and gender as specific topics and overlooks care for the environment, poverty and the wealth gap, violence and war, and a host of other ethical issues that face college students.
- It is preceded by reference to a year of prayer, as if “God language” will make everything okay.
- It suggests a fallacious reason for HSU to state its beliefs, given the culture, rather than stating the actions for change and good that would be a better response to the current milieu.
- It appears to be something that faculty and staff will be expected to affirm to work at HSU.
So What?
At this point it should be clear to even casual observers that the closure of Logsdon was essential to the advancement of President Eric Bruntmyer’s agenda. Or, as explained in plain language by Dr. Sellers:
This Statement of Faith would have been strongly opposed by Logsdon’s faculty, staff and most students and alumni, so it is clear to me that the seminary had to be disbanded before such a move to the theological and political right was attempted.”
Note: Eric Bruntmyer is not a pastor nor a theologian. His academic preparation to serve as the President of a Christian University includes a law degree from Baylor Law School and an MBA from Dallas Baptist University.