"we would become a Christian University in name only"
Silly me, I thought being a Christian university was about proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Apparently it's mostly about abstaining from alcohol and abhorring homosexuality.

Silly me. I thought being a Christian meant you stood for something -- Like the Bible. They took a courageous stand. Thumbs up!

Sexual relations outside of marriage I can understand and agree with, but to put it on a par with public drinking??? Hmmm.. didn't someone called Jesus get a hard time about that? In fact they've given more lines to this than any of the other points.

What is it with the Baptists and their signed statements? The Bible doesn't condemn drinking alcohol, only getting drunk.

True, the Bible doesn't expressly forbid alcohol, but the real question is . . . Why bother with it? In 1st-century culture alcohol had a more comprehensive use. It was used as a social drink (soda is a perfectly fitting 21st-century equivalent), was used as a sort of medicine (Note Paul's exhortation of Timothy regarding alcohol; we have actual medicines to fulfill this purpose), and was used as a luxury, along with milk, to give a different taste than simple water (now we have so many juices and sodas and flavored waters and flavored milks etc,). In today's culture the beneficial aspects of alcohol are so far eclipsed by cheaper, more efficient alternatives that the only real reason to drink now is to get drunk.

While the alcohol ban should be limited to intoxication (the Bible is not against alcohol), I find no such statement wrong, since students have to sign such a thing as well.

There is no freedom in forced agreement. Jesus asks, He does not demand.

Signing a pledge to abstain from all forms of sexual sin makes some sense if you are a Bible teacher. But drinking? So...Jesus made wine at the wedding feast because modern medicine was not available? The wine steward said that it was the highest quality of wine. Isaiah 28 says that in the future, when every tear is wiped away and death shall be no more He will make a great wedding feast where fine aged wines (not grape juice or wine cut with water or Baptist sody pop) will be served. Jesus enjoyed the flavor of wine as His first miracle shows. He looks forward to the day that He drinks fine wine with his disciples in Heaven in Luke 22:18. Wine will be one of the few food substances that follow us into heavan when we actually have no need of medicine. Cultures have always appreciated the flavor attributes of aged, fermented, alcoholic grape juice and books and magazines have been devoted for centuries to admiring the complexities of its flavor. I enjoy the flavor and health benefits of wine as did Jesus, the 12 disciples, Paul and all of the New Testament teachers and writers. So when Jesus pours the wine at that great feast, just remember to put your hand over the glass and say, no thanks, I’m having the orange soda.

Confessional schools have every right to set standards for their faculty. No one has to be employed there, nor does any student have to attend.

Having said that, it was, in my view, ill-considered to place sexual morality (non negotiable in my reading of Scripture) on a level with public drinking (very negotiable in my reading of Scripture), thus making it appear that those refusing to sign placed both questions on an equal footing.

One thing (of many) Christ gave us was liberty through Him. Of course,responsibility goes along with freedom, but I would not sign anything that kept me from having a glass of wine at a nice restaurant.

Students go to University to learn how to be thinking people, not to be brainwashed by legalistic dogma. Christ came to point us to grace, not a list of dos and don'ts. I'm certain the faculty members who left will be welcome additions to other institutions which value intelligence and integrity over agreement and adherence to a particular doctrine. Kudos to them and may God bless their careers.

A note on the public drinking: Although it is not explicitly forbidden in Scripture, underage drinking, binge drinking and alcoholism is a huge problem on campuses throughout our culture. I believe that it is a great thing for faculty, professional staff and administration to carefully consider what message public drinking communicates to students who struggle so greatly with it. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-15-college-drug-use_N.htm
For me as I work on a private secular university not drinking is a way I look after my students.

I'm not trying to unnecessarily stir the pot, but why is encouraging professors to be above reproach such a bad thing?

Looking at the statement in context it seems that the university is encouraging professors to avoid alcohol consumption "in settings in which students are present or are likely to be present." (It says nothing of consumption within the home). This seems like a good idea given that the majority of undergrads are also underage. I wouldn't say it's gospel, but it never hurts to show some discernment and/or occasional restraint in areas that can tend towards excess.

Also, when wanting to refocus the vision of the university is it not best to make sure that everyone is on the same page? I would think this is the reasoning for the "signed statements." Not just because they're Baptists and they want to be condemning.

I encourage feedback.

As someone who is currently under one of these contracts/statements for a baptist institution, I have no problem with the position of Shorter.
1) The institution has the right to develop standards that it expects the people who represent them and are paid by them to follow.
2) The faculty members are free people and have the right to leave that institution if they feel like the standards are not something they choose to live by.

In summary, everyone gets to make a choice here. No one is being forced. I fail to see the problem. It is a PRIVATE institution. Don't like their standards? Go work for a PUBLIC institution.

I'm happy about most of this but then when the thing about public drinking comes up I feel like they're just becoming legalistic. Also, shouldn't returning to Christian roots mean reaching out to the needy and getting in touch with local ministries?

A note on the public drinking. Although not explicitly forbidden in scripture, underage overeating and binge eating is a huge problem on campuses throughout our culture. Food is addictive, overeating is addressed many times in the Bible. Food is so addictive and dangerous that the federal government has to regulate it. Obesity, especially in this food besotted region of the south, causes more disease and kills more than alcohol. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer are just a few of the consequences from this horrible habit. Eating while driving distracts and kills many. The professors should sign a pledge vowing not to eat in public where they would be setting a bad example. It only tempts and encourages obese people. Besides, we can get all our vitamins now through pills today. I applaud Brian for not eating in public where it would only corrupt his students. Sign the pledge Baptists!

I was a hard drinker worked, oilrigs, commercial fishing, goldmines in the artic. Now for me drinking did far more bad then good. To require a educator not to drink in public seems to me to be a very small request and for them to quit their position rather then comply speaks to me that their values are shallow; or just think administration is overstepping its authority.

Scott, ever think that your drinking problem might have more to do with your personality or career choices. All-male, long hours, extreme weather, tough guy jobs. Gold miner in the most extreme cold environment in the world, the Arctic! Wonder how many non- drinkers there are among that crowd? Commercial fisherman in Alaska working non-stop on the Bering sea! Wonder what they do for fun? Life on an oil rig? Your experience should not preclude a professor in Georgia from having a glass of wine at a family restaurant. You may regard continuing to enjoy a glass of wine as shallow values, but Jesus did not suddenly convert to tea drinking when they began calling him a wine-bibber. And neither should these professors. Now taking the pledge to stop dancing, that I understand. Such a small request. Ah, Baptists.

If this school was serious about "reclaiming their Christian roots" they would begin serving wine at their board meetings and celebrations as Jesus did. Or as Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and Knox did. Or as the Pilgrims did. Or convene in a pub as CS Lewis, Tolkien and the inklings did. As it is, they are only acting dumb and though it is no crime to be dumb, it could certainly make a professor want to slink away in embarrassment.

Wow, has this debate come a long way in 40 years. I both attended and taught at Christian colleges, where "the pledge" was always under debate. Back in the 60s, Christian colleges routinely prohibited such things as card playing, "secret societies," dancing and movies. Still, everyone still wants to play that "glass of wine" bit. Reminds me of the old Scottish Covenanters who wouldn't drink wine on principal because of the Biblical warnings. But, of course, the Bible didn't say anything about whisky . . .

I see nothing wrong with asking professors or any staff in a Christian university to sign a code of ethic that is in line with Christian values. True, not all Christians hold to the non-drinking stance of Baptists but it is a Baptist University after all so it shouldn't be a surprise. In their view, the Bible does say that one should not drink. I applaud the university for standing up against the "crowd" where everything is okay and Christian living is watered down to the point of making it indistinguishable from non-believers. I wish more so-called Christian colleges and universities had the gumption to do that. What is wrong with not drinking? Alcohol is the cause of many destroyed marriages and family lives, ravaged bodies and ruined relationships of all types, including with God. Leave this University alone and go somewhere else if you don't like it.

If you have to pick and choose from the bible for a list of regulations how about signing your name to this:
1. Always be joyful
2. Never stop praying
3. Make it a habit to give thanks for everything

This is from Paul who was probably the most intellectual New Testament writer. I think following this would have a more effective lifestyle outcome than a list of prohibitions.

Lauren, there is nothing wrong with not drinking. There is also nothing wrong with drinking. There is also nothing wrong with not ritually washing before meals or tithing mint, dill and cumin. But they're such small requests. Did Jesus or his disciples stop drinking when they accused Him of being a wine-bibber? Did they start tithing mint dill and cumin? Did they start ritually washing their hands before meals? Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to go her way and stop sinning. It is fine to reinforce real Biblical values. But ritual hand washing, tithing mint dill and cumin, not drinking, not healing on the sabbath are all silly man-made rules. Sure, its a Baptist college, they can make up any rule they want, but lets not pretend its "getting back to our Christian roots".

What I do not understand is the vitriol of those who would never attend this university and are offended by it's stand. Do you also despise Mennonites for the stands they take? They are their own community, they decide in community what offends their conscience and what does not. IF this was New Testament Israel, the faithful would not have the choice of myriad denominations, nondenominations and colleges from which to chose. There was one temple authority, and in each town, probably one synagog. Here, if it offends you, you can walk away. I'm sure there are Methodists and Presbytereans and Lutherans in that town if one needs an alternative.
Second, no-one opposed addresses the very real issue of risk to students who have chosen to extend adolescence to attend university. These are very young adults at very real risk of destroying their lives in alcohol abuse. Educators can help them to abstain by being an example. That is the choice the University has taken. I believe it is an honorable one made out of love and concern for the students.
Nicky baby, fyi, you post like a heckler, not like a brother.

Vitriol? Adj.1 vitriolic - harsh or corrosive in tone; "an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose"; "a barrage of acid comments"; "her acrid remarks make her many enemies"; "bitter words"; "blistering criticism". Gee willikers, Duane, I am looking for “Nicky baby the heckler” here and I am coming up empty. I would read Rick’s comments though. Rick believes in the grace of God, loves the brotherhood, loves the example that Jesus set and has a problem only with the same people that Jesus had a problem with. He agrees with you about diversity though and says “Sure, its a Baptist college, they can make up any rule they want.” Do you really think a non-drinking pledge for professors is going to prevent college kids from drinking? After all, they can simply open the Bible and see Jesus, the 12 disciples, Paul, all the writers of the New Testament and the future inhabitants of the New Jerusalem all drinking. I am not being vitriolic this just seems very amusing to me. I can’t speak for that Nicky Baby guy though.

So many things could be sad but I will limit myself to just one...if you don't agree then don't teach or send your kids or yourself to that University. It really is that simple. Oh, one more just remember we each have to give an account of ourselves one day so be careful what you post. Just sayin...

STANDARDS don't change, CONDITIONS do...what is wrong with standards that have been there from the very beginning of time? It is man that keeps evolving with his changes, not GOD. We think because we become an educated society changes to the standards are needed...a good example of what not do, is the current President. Is he an example of a modeled citizen to follow with all the corruption that is bleeding out of Washington D.C. I don't think so! We need to get back to the standards, the Bible and live it...

How good to hear of a strong stand being taken on the authority of God's Word. God will honour those who honour him.

The reason so many faculty are leaving is not due to lifestyle prohibitions that they were already following to a large degree. The school had a policy of only hiring Christians for several years. The true reason is the intrusion of the administration into curriculum and teaching practices that violated the traditional university structure of tasks. Administration (President, Board of Trustees, staff) typically handles fund raising, university policies and ethics, and the day to day management of the institution. The Provost, Deans of the schools, and faculty handles curriculum decisions, teaching assignments, tenure decisions, and academic assignments for students. In Shorter's case from Day 1 the new President and Board overrode the faculty and cancelled or changed planned musical performances, mandated opening prayer for every class or lab, changed science textbooks chosen by faculty to others that espoused creationism, and took away tenure decisions from the faculty committee to one controlled by the President. Most faculty leaving did so for reasons of academic freedom or creative limitation in the arts. Some left due to the lifestyle statement to be sure. Nearly all of the students and faculty have left the School for the Fine Arts - the voice, instrumental, theater, and dance programs are decimated. Two-thirds of the science faculty left due to being forced to teach creationism and to having their course plans dictated to them by the administration. Finally having tenure decisions being altered and made by a non-traditional source may get the school in trouble with SACS who provides accreditation so that students can use their degrees to gain employment or entry into medical or graduate schools. It is a real mess and the crux of the matter is not lifestyle but power. The Georgia Baptists may have the school but if they cannot hire faculty under these conditions and if students will not attend due to tenuous accreditation it will be in the end a pyrrhic victory. The school is not very well endowed and depends heavily on tuition to make payroll and to meet expenses.
So very sad and in the end in my opinion this change was not necessary. The school was already a conservative Christian college and doing well until the fundamentalist GBC got involved.

Drinking defiles the holy temple of Jesus Christ living inside us. The bible states not to drink any strong drink. Strong drink alcoholic beer and wine. Besides, if we have a relationship with Christ beer or wine should not even cross our thoughts. People are being delivered by this mess in the church because it has affected their lives so why be a part of it.

Thank you, Dave. It's always nice to get more complete information - and that's significant information. What I'd like to add is another thought. Certainly Believers can have different convictions on such matters as alcohol, that's not really the point. Moreover, that a Christian college takes a stand against homosexuality and such can hardly be objectionable. Having communicated expectations that faculty refrain from drinking alcohol in public, don't live together without benefit of clergy and are not practicing homosexuals are perfectly reasonable and understandable - well within the rights of any private institution. But it does say something about the mentality of the school when those expectations are not sufficient. It's that "signing" a covenant that I find understandably irritating to scholars. The Biblical expression is "let your yea be yea and your nay be nay." Most academics, be they Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran or none-of-the-above must be bound to find such a requirement not merely annoying, but offensive. And, by the way, there's a good deal of difference between a belief that our Almighty, Creator God did in fact create and six-day creationism.

Dave Guess I am confused by your statement "science faculty left due to being forced to teach creationism" What else would/should a "Christian" University teach, unless teaching the, as yet unproven, heretical "theory of evolution for the origin of matter".
I understand the administration trying to go back to a Christian worldview (and I believe most Christian colleges, i.e. even Wheaton, have students and faculty sign covenants) but I do have two issues: one) why not list every sin they can come up with to avoid? This one seems to be overly legalistic (extra-biblical), esp. the no drinking in public stuff. The old jokes about where you find 4 good Baptists you will find a fifth and Baptists drinking at home would probably prevail anyway. Secondly, its the same issue about not being able to legislate morality. It doesn't work. We are all sinners and the covenant will be broken over and over, just like the Hebrews did with God's covenant. Also, the Scripture several times says we shouldn't make vows to the Lord because we can't, especially in our own strength, keep them.

I wonder if the lifestyle statement around alcohol would have been less offensive if it had simply stated what I think is the reason for what God asks of us, which is to show our love by not being a stumbling block to others. If alcohol is a problem for students, love says "I won't drink in their presence." If lust is a problem, love says "I won't behave or dress in a way that will incite a riot with their hormones." If obesity is an issue, love says, "I won't tease them, or tempt them with donuts." Agreeing to put one's student's well being above one's own rights would have been an easy concept for any person of integrity to understand and very much agrees with the spirit of God's Word.

We have several colleges and universities in our area, fortunately, as it gives us a choice and we can stay living in the area. Drinking late into the night has become a serious problem in all three of our cities here. Fights and shootings happen on the streets with bars, well, actually in the streets on a nightly basis by students. For some reason the colleges act like, so---- even when a student is killed. We have four trials going on right now of students killing either by cars (driving while drunk) or guns. What's with this out and out promoting of drinking until you're lying on the ground unconcious by the colleges. The teachers need to give a good example especially if it's a Christian entity. The fact so many teachers resigned rather than set an example suggests to me just where the current dislike of Christianity problem is coming from. Good for this college. It's not their job to promote anything but Christian values. Jesus and people of his time drank wine because the water in the wells in these hot countries could be contaminated and wine was better than the water. It was their form of our public water systems. And, there were rules set around the times and amounts for drinking wine too. They had their problems with alcoholism too.

Way to go, school! it's about time someone stands up for what they believe, and if it means losing valuable faculty, so be it. They don't deserve to work at a "christian school" if they don't believe in a few core elements.

One thing that isn't mentioned in this article is that the professors have to attend an approved list of churches. If you are a religious person, and don't attend that small list, then you are not welcome there. For example, you cannot work there if you are Jewish, Catholic, Mormon, etc. Additionally, it isn't just faculty that is having to sign it; the staff are having to sign it too. Shorter was in a precarious financial situation before all of this happened, so it should be interesting to see what transpires in the next few years.

I understand that Shorter is a private school and can do what they want to do. Shorter should lose all of its Federal/State public funding (Pell grants, Hope grants, etc.)

Also, some of the professors that have left have worked at the school for decades. Dr. Craig Allee is well known in the pre-med field and it is definitely Shorter's loss since he left. Is it a sad day indeed. I'm just glad that my degrees have Shorter College and not Shorter University.

To Mark who wrote:

"Jesus asks, he doesn't demand"

When Christ tells us to lose our life for his sake, to carry our cross, to love God with all that we are, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to make disciples of all nations....

He's not suggesting, He's demanding.

In order to follow Christ with your life, He demand's your life.

The university is doing what they think they should. It's biblical mandate mixed in with some of their own personal conviction (Drinking)...

They have the "freedom" not to sign it.

Cheers.

Other parts of the proscription here are biblical, but the drinking of alcohol is not. Jesus was faulted by the legalists for being a wine-drinker and companion of wine-drinkers. This statement they are forced to sign follows in the same spirit, putting having a glass of good wine in a decent restaurant on the same par as the gross sins of homosexuality and adultery.

Drawing the line where Jesus didn't; if that isn't legalism I don't know what is.

Having spent many year in these kinds of churches - I used to preach in the Athens area I know the mindset that would produce this kind of "line-in-the-sand" document ("sand" it is). If they wanted to be consistent they should have added another restriction against over-eating (gluttony) to go with the alcohol drinking one.

How many overweight pastors and Christians there are - their Bible belts on the very last notch - who yet make a big deal about total abstinence from alcohol. We give the impression that Christianity is just a list of Do's-and-Don't's rather than Done-and-Follow.

Other parts of the proscription here are biblical, but the drinking of alcohol is not. Jesus was faulted by the legalists for being a wine-drinker and companion of wine-drinkers. This statement they are forced to sign follows in the same spirit, putting having a glass of good wine in a decent restaurant on the same par as the gross sins of homosexuality and adultery.

Drawing the line where Jesus didn't; if that isn't legalism I don't know what is.

Having spent many year in these kinds of churches - I used to preach in the Athens area I know the mindset that would produce this kind of "line-in-the-sand" document ("sand" it is). If they wanted to be consistent they should have added another restriction against over-eating (gluttony) to go with the alcohol drinking one.

How many overweight pastors and Christians there are - their Bible belts on the very last notch - who yet make a big deal about total abstinence from alcohol. We give the impression that Christianity is just a list of Do's-and-Don't's rather than Done-and-Follow.

Good for them for standing for righteousness. Now if only the churches would do the same.

Homer, the only fundamentalists calling for imprisonment and/or execution for homosexuals are the muslim fundamentalists. NO mainstream Christians have said such a thing. If you think Christians are, they are on some extreme fringe, and it would be interesting to see where you got this so-called information. I don't know any of the people you know, but all the people I know are Christians who follow the Bible and believe God when He says homosexuality is an abomination. But it is not Christians who will punish them in any way, it is God. Until then, we witness to homosexuals and pray for them. Nobody wants to see them imprisoned or killed except the muslims.