Bob Jones University Weblog: Pragmatic Expediency: Dr.

Bob Jones III's Guiding Principle for Deciding Faith, Practice, and Fellowship
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Take a peek behind the scenes at the self-proclaimed "Bastion of Fundamentalism" and "Fortress of Faith," Bob Jones University. A Bob Jones University graduate takes a close look at the Joneses, Bob Jones University, and the national network of Bob Jones-styled fundamentalist churches and ministries staffed by Bob Jones University graduates and influenced by the pragmatic philosophies and principles taught and practiced by BJU.

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Different but the Same The Prince: Machiavellian Leadership Historical Perspective and Straight Thinking At Please Reconcile The Bomb And Its Fallout: Bob Jones University v. United States Will Bob Jones University Emulate the Roger Clemens Non-Apology Model? BJU Petitioners Take a No-Nonsense Look At Bob Jones III's Interracial Duplicity Online Petition Seeks Resolution of BJU's Interracial Dating Scam Blessed be the Name of the Lord: The Katelyn Grace Story Dr. Camille Lewis' Exit From BJU Part V: Phariseeism, Jonesianism, and Questions

Pastoral Authority: Sitting in Moses' Seat | Main | "Dances With Compromise" The Bob Jones University Twist
May 17, 2007

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 todays 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.Its a sad day when men are judged on the basis of the leaderships 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 Christs 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

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AA Food for Thought: A Look at Jonesiansim From a Matthew 23Perspective An Introduction to Jonesianism Biblical Correction: Each Christian's responsibility BJU, Dr. Bob Jones III and The

"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 Gods Word and God has not delegated Dr. Bob Jones III or Bob Jones University as the final arbiters of Truth.

http://web.archive.org/web/20081205055040/http://bju.typepad.com/bjuexposed/2007/05/pragmatic_exped.html[11/2/2011 1:55:18 PM]

Bob Jones University Weblog: Pragmatic Expediency: Dr. Bob Jones III's Guiding Principle for Deciding Faith, Practice, and Fellowship
Interracial Dating Ban Controversy Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery: Ornate Heresy Cults and the Cultic Jack Hyles, The Fundamentalist's Fundamentalist Jonesianism: Food For Thought Jonesianism: The Leaven Spreads, How BJU and the Joneses influence churches across America Personal Note The BJU Interracial Dating/Marriage Petition The Jonesian Pattern: A look At Charles Underwood's Open Letter to Dr. Bob Jones III The Northside Baptist Story: How Bob Jones III's preacher and graduates "Do Church" A Study Understanding Jonesianism

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 everyones 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 someones 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 cant 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 IIIs 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 Underwoods Open Letter to Bob Jones III highlights reversal after reversal. Underwood traces Dr. Bob Jones IIIs reversals on Free Masonry and Masons on Bob Jones Universitys 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 Universitys 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 IIIs 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

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Cult information from cult expert Steve Hassan Seed Church Biblical Discernment Ministries looks at BJU The KJV Controversy and Bob Jones University and Pensacola Christian College Restoring New Testament Practice's to Today's Church BREVIA NOTES Conference of the Lambs The Biblical Evangelist: The Dr. Jack Hyles Story, A Study in the Seduction of Fundamentalists Bob Jones University, Bob Jones Jr., and Calvinism

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Categories AA Food for Thought: A Look at Jonesiansim From a Matthew 23-Perspective An

Introduction to Jonesianism Biblical Correction: Each Christian's responsibility

BJU, Dr. Bob Jones III and The Interracial

http://web.archive.org/web/20081205055040/http://bju.typepad.com/bjuexposed/2007/05/pragmatic_exped.html[11/2/2011 1:55:18 PM]

Bob Jones University Weblog: Pragmatic Expediency: Dr. Bob Jones III's Guiding Principle for Deciding Faith, Practice, and Fellowship 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 FivePointer in the world, and supported one of Paisleys Calvinistic churches in Greenville! Dr. Jack van Impe mentioned this situation in his book, Heart Disease in Christs 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 Irelands 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 Paisleys 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 Gods 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 IIIs 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 hasnt 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 its a policy that is equal to all three of the races. Excuse me -- all three of the races? Dont 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 couldnt 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

Dating Ban Controversy

Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery: Ornate Heresy Cults and the Cultic Jack Hyles, The Fundamentalist's Fundamentalist Jonesianism: Food For Thought Jonesianism: The Leaven Spreads, How BJU and the Joneses influence churches across America Personal Note The BJU Interracial Dating/Marriage Petition The Jonesian Pattern: A look At Charles Underwood's Open Letter to Dr. Bob Jones

The Northside Baptist Story: How Bob Jones III's preacher and graduates "Do Church" A Study Understanding
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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 cant manipulate and

http://web.archive.org/web/20081205055040/http://bju.typepad.com/bjuexposed/2007/05/pragmatic_exped.html[11/2/2011 1:55:18 PM]

Bob Jones University Weblog: Pragmatic Expediency: Dr. Bob Jones III's Guiding Principle for Deciding Faith, Practice, and Fellowship 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 IIIs 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.
Posted on May 17, 2007 in AA Food for Thought: A Look at Jonesiansim From a Matthew 23-Perspective | Permalink

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

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