Liberty University, which claims to be the world's largest Christian university, has had some interesting commencement speakers in recent years. Does anyone see a pattern?
2005 Sean Hannity
2006 John McCain
2007 Newt Gingrich
2008 Chuck Norris
2009 Ben Stein
2010 Glenn Beck
We believe, as a number of our readers have already theorized, that Liberty University has a political agenda which is clearly demonstrated by its choice of commencement speakers.
It's been fascinating to watch Liberty hitch onto certain individuals with celebrity status, and Glenn Beck is definitely a rising star!
Ryan Beague (a Liberty grad) recently wrote a point of view article entitled "Why Glenn Beck is wrong for Liberty University’s commencement" which was featured in Florida Baptist Witness. http://www.gofbw.com/blog.asp?ID=11705
Here's one of the most important points Ryan makes:
"It seems that the leadership’s decision in this matter gives the impression that it is more committed to conservatism than the Gospel."
We agree with Ryan's statement and believe Liberty is a conservative political machine. Why do we hold to such a position? Let's examine some recent events involving Liberty University. Here's what happened shortly before Beck's appearance at the LU commencement.
LU Cancels Class Last-Minute So Students Can Vote (05/04/10 6:38 pm)
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0510/732650.html
"Just like the last two Lynchburg elections, Liberty University figures to play a major role in deciding the outcome.
School administrators say Tuesday is the day they've been building up to for the past two years.
Liberty students vote at the city’s largest precinct- the Heritage Precinct.
The school again canceled classes to let students vote. The announcement came during convocation Tuesday morning.
Chancellor, Jerry Falwell, Jr. canceled all classes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to allow the students to vote.
Students admit it wasn't a surprise. Instead of going to class, hundreds boarded buses to help select three members of Lynchburg city council."
Liberty University Revokes Recognition Of Democratic Club
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-5034409-503544.html
"Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., has revoked its recognition of the campus Democratic Party club because, according to a university official, the club's "parent organization stands against the moral principles held by Liberty."
In a May 15 e-mail to the student group, Liberty Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Hine said the club must end its affiliation with University. The group can no longer use Liberty's name, logo, or seal for its publications, Web sites, Facebook page, Twitter account or anything else.
"The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine…"
According to The Washington Monthly:
"Eventually the school reached a compromise and determined that both the campus Republican and Democratic clubs would become unendorsed student groups, ineligible for student funding. Both groups could, however, use the Liberty name…"
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/blog/liberty_university_sleazy_1.php
The above link reveals what happened when Liberty dismissed the Democratic club:
"Americans United for Separation of Church and State is asking the Internal Revenue Service to examine Liberty University. Americans United contends that the school violated its tax-exempt standing when it appeared to publically support Scott Garrett, a Republican candidate for the Virginia state house.
Garrett won the election by 209 votes and now represents Liberty University's hometown, Lynchburg, in the Virginia House of Delegates."
The evidence seems to speak for itself. We believe there is a strong possibility that Liberty University may be laying the groundwork for a Moral Majority Redux.
Please don't get us wrong… Dee and I are both very conservative in our political position; however, we do not consider those on the other side of the political fence to be our enemies — they are our mission field. We fear that when we as Christians over-emphasize politics, then we alienate those whom we might have been able to reach had they not been turned off by our political views.
We leave you with this question…
Does Liberty University adhere to the belief that by changing our country's governmental structure they can create an anti-Calvinist "city on a hill" beginning with Liberty Mountain, and are they striving to usher in the Second Coming a little sooner?
Personally, I’ve never thought of Liberty University as a “christian” institution but as a political one hiding under the veneer of religion.
Isn’t that commencement list proof enough?
“We fear that when we as Christians over-emphasize politics, then we alienate those whom we might have been able to reach had they not been turned off by our political views.”
Exactly. Very true. All Liberty does is become a club of sorts of all likeminded people…on politics!
their goal has not been unity of the spirit but of politics! How very insulated they become. They learn to live in a bubble.
Like, you two, I am a political conservative. Actually, I do not like the term conservative so I use “Free Market Capitalist”. (Which I think is the answer to health care)
One reason I have huge problems with Liberty is because the party they backed for the last 30 years not really all that different from democrats by degrees. the democrat of 30 years ago is the republican of today. Anybody ever go back and read JKF’s speeches? He sounds like a modern day conservative!
But notice that Liberty’s party politics works. Their enrollment is huge. What does that tell us?
Lydia,
I agree with your comment. The term “conservative” connotates different things to different people.
I am pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-family, and even pro-guns. My husband and I recently obtained our concealed weapon permit in case the government starts tightening the restrictions on gun ownership. When we went to the shooting range during the class, I was actually a pretty good shot!
Above all, I am so in love with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He’s my focus, not politics. Let’s see… when Jesus entered Jerusalem that fateful week, He was met with rejoicing and jubulation. By the end of the week, many wanted to crucify Him. Why? He wasn’t the political leader they were seeking… Things haven’t changed much, have they?
This is actually really funny because…
Glenn Beck is LDS (Mormon)!!!
He has a book called Unlikely Mormon: The Conversion Story of Glenn Beck
http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Mormon-Conversion-Story-Glenn/dp/B001EVKWLQ
So yes, this is an entirely political move, and their list of commencement speakers is just pathetic.
Nicole,
We decided not to emphasize Glenn Beck’s Mormonism, but I do find it interesting that Liberty would invite him to address the graduates as well as their families and friends.
Have you clicked on the link to hear Glenn Beck’s commencement address in our first post? I really enjoyed it, but what’s so scary is that Beck sounds just like a Christian. All I can say is I hope no one gets misled by his speech. Mormonism is a far cry from Christianity!
There was actually an old thread on Wades blog where many Christians were arguing that Mormons ARE Christians. It is incredible what people believe.
Shortly after I left Ed Young Jr’s church (long story), the Dallas morning News published a quote by him. He said that he didn’t talk about doctrine because it just confuses people. That is why he got by with his nonsense for years. The 20,000 or so people who went there were ignorant of what constitutes a real Christian.
Its only because of the jet and fancy digs that people are finally waking up and leaving his church. One thing Dallas people understand is money and they realize that Ed has just a bit too much luxury to be kosher. I bet that a fair number of people in his church wouldn’t know a Mormon from a Unitarian. This is the type of Christian that today’s Bible lite church are producing. But, the question is, Is it Christian? I’m not so sure.
Dee,
I must say, you have had the most unusual church experiences… Since I believe in God’s sovereignty, I have to ask one of my favorite questions – WHY???
As a current Liberty student who has learned how to reason my Christian faith, and recognize false religions and cults, I am shocked and very confused as to why Glenn Beck was invited to speak this year. It would be questionable if Mr. Beck’s faith was considered “religious” with different beliefs than true Christianity but it is just plain wrong when those differences are considered a cult by top professors and department heads at Liberty! I mean no disrespect, I am honestly confused and must question what I thought I knew in terms of where so much of my money is going in the name of receiving a solid Christian education. Help me understand!
This is actually really funny because…
Glenn Beck is LDS (Mormon)!!!
He has a book called Unlikely Mormon: The Conversion Story of Glenn Beck
http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Mormon-Conversion-Story-Glenn/dp/B001EVKWLQ
So yes, this is an entirely political move, and their list of commencement speakers is just pathetic.
Nicole,
We decided not to emphasize Glenn Beck’s Mormonism, but I do find it interesting that Liberty would invite him to address the graduates as well as their families and friends.
Have you clicked on the link to hear Glenn Beck’s commencement address in our first post? I really enjoyed it, but what’s so scary is that Beck sounds just like a Christian. All I can say is I hope no one gets misled by his speech. Mormonism is a far cry from Christianity!
Jenn
I am going to feature your comment today. It is the opinion of TWW that much of what goes on at Liberty is political conservatism not Christianity. Look at the speakers through the years-many political. Look at their response to Caner. Protect the image is key, not repentance. I often wonder how many people in these circumstances are religionists that pay lip service to Christianity but are actually serving a political agenda.
The key: serve Christ, not man. Focus on Him and not on institutions. And never, ever forget, your leaders are sinners just like the rest of us.
Emily
This is another comment that was made by another. When you repost those comments are you saying that you agree with it?