Spring Break
Abstract:
With all due respect, I disagree with Dr. Arnn, if he actually said that Hillsdale is "not a political school." And I also disagree with Mr. Stolyarov that to require a course in biblical studies or a theology course would be to "shove [theology] down" anyone's "throats if they do not wish it....
David Stehlik
posted 4/27/09 @ 4:29 PM EST
1. Hillsdale College exists because of its founding. The Articles of Association's preamble begins, "WHEREAS the denomination of Christians, Known as Free-Will-Baptists." It was not founded by Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, or Hindus. It was founded by the Free-Will-Baptist denomination. The founders identified themselves and the College they were founding with their specific, denominationally-defined belief in the Christian God. They were a Christian fellowship – first and foremost – and so Hillsdale has been a religious college since its beginning. The preamble continues by citing the College's founding purpose as essential to the "perpetuity" of God's "inestimable blessings resulting from the prevalence of civil and religious liberty and intelligent piety in the land." Hillsdale's founders recognized that civil and religious liberty and intelligent piety flow from the Christian faith; they are blessings from God. Thus, the founders would probably assert that Mr. Stolyarov can consider himself a proud atheist because of the blessings which come from the Almighty God, an odd freedom indeed.
2. Hillsdale College embodies a mission pursuable only through partnership. Students not wishing to partner with the College should not come. The mission is not "to be a divided body," but rather to stand united for the truth. And, the truth is one thing, not two things or three things.
3. Mr. Stolyarov incorrectly asserts that the United States was not founded on Christian principles. His statement suggests that one must consistently hold to a philosophy in order to take of its fruit. Human nature, however, is fallen, and fallen men are inconsistent. For instance, most Hillsdale students have learned the frustrating fact of Mr. Jefferson: that although he was against slavery, he kept slaves. In the same way, while some of the Founders were not Christians, they were undeterred from desiring the blessings of a Christian-framed regime.
God bless,
David