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Gay Student Expelled: Uncertain Notes in the Culture War

Written by Paul Dean

Tuesday, 18 April 2006

The culture war rages on many fronts and too many Christians are unprepared for battle. That unpreparedness may be attributed to a number of causes including nominalism, worldliness, or ignorance in the church. At the same time, part of the cause may be an uncertain note from the battle trumpet of our leaders. “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle (1 Cor. 14:8)?”

Consider the firestorm of disagreement that broke out when Jason Johnson was expelled from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY for being homosexual. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, “In a statement released last week, the university's president, Jim Taylor said students are held to a ‘higher standard’ and that ‘students know the rules before they come to this institution.’”

It seems as if Taylor is trumpeting a certain sound. “But a copy of the student handbook provided by the university confirmed the policy was not spelled out in 2003-04, when Johnson chose to attend. The school did not provide a copy of the policy for the 2004-05 school year. The 2005-06 student handbook says: ‘Any student who engages in or promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles (including sex outside marriage and homosexuality) may be suspended or asked to withdraw.’ School officials said that although the 2003-04 policy did not explicitly mention homosexuality, it did say that students must ‘conduct themselves, on and off the campus, in a manner which is consistent with the objectives of the College and with its standards of conduct.’”

That note sounds uncertain. Sadly, a visit to the schools website proves to be even more uncertain. After spending more than half an hour searching, I could not find the school’s affiliation (SBC), a statement of faith, or a definitive policy regarding faith or conduct of any kind. That fact does not mean the handbook does not address such issues, but, it does sound an uncertain note. In fact, the school is accepting of students of “all backgrounds.” I’m not sure what that statement means. In a word, I am uncertain.

In a day when Christian colleges are severing ties with their founding institutions, it is time for those Christian colleges who wish to take a stand to do so. If a college is unapologetically Christian and seeks to inculcate a Christian worldview in the hearts and minds of its students, then let it say so and do so. Those colleges who wish to do otherwise should quit playing the hypocrite and remove any tip of the hat to its Christian background. An apostate no longer flies the banner of Christ. Why should an apostate college or university? Either way, let them sound a certain note. Maybe Cumberland is attempting to do just that. We shall see.

What about the students at this Christian institution? Are they sounding the trumpet in a certain manner? Student blogs showed mixed reaction to the news while some noted the expulsion is ‘tearing the campus apart…’ Some students are publicly questioning the school's values…Many wore shirts yesterday with ‘God loves my gay friends’ printed on them.” A student commented, “They're being hypocritical, by Christian standards. If we love each other, accept each other for who we are, why are they kicking him out? I almost feel like they're trying to mold us, me, into a person that I wouldn't want to be.”

Those uncertain notes are far from being Christian as other students would no doubt point out if given the opportunity. The implication in saying that “God loves my gay friends” is that homosexuality is acceptable to God. Such is not the case according to Rom. 1:18f or 1 Cor. 6:9f. The notion that we should accept homosexuals for who they are is in keeping with postmodern philosophy but not the Scriptures. The goal of Christian witness is to point others to the transforming power of Christ. If one does not want to be a Christian, then one should not claim to be such.

Yet, in this postmodern and litigious society in which we find ourselves, Johnson is not only considering attending the University of Kentucky or Eastern Kentucky University next fall, he is also considering legal action against the university. In the aftermath of his dismissal, he said that students shouldn't question their faith, but they should question their personal beliefs. “What I would hope is that their faith is renewed because people are standing up for what they believe in. It has strengthened my resolve, my beliefs, my faith, seeing the love and support.”

Well, if personal beliefs are contrary to the Scriptures, if faith is some nebulous concept and not grounded in the objective reality of the person of Christ and the truth of His word, if people are standing up for beliefs contrary to the Scriptures, then something worse is at stake than blowing an uncertain note. The note is actually sadly certain.

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