Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 04-30-2012, 08:58 PM

Anthony LeDonne fired by Lincoln Christian College

LeDonne wrote:

I am writing with disappointing news. After over a year of pressure from Lincoln Christian University donors, concerned citizens, and certain employees, the president of the university has decided to terminate my employment. I have been told that this decision is in direct response to the publication of my popular-level book, Historical Jesus (or via: amazon.co.uk) (Eerdmans, 2011). I have no doubt that the LCU administration made a staunch effort on my behalf, but eventually needed to assuage the fears of (what I am told) is a largely anti-intellectual constituency.

Ironically, Lincoln Christian was going to hold a conference on the demise of the criteria. The conference organizers are looking for a new venue.

The reasons are "explained" here

Quote:

I sense that the current climate of American evangelicalism is becoming increasingly hostile to evangelical scholars who are perceived to be “conceding ground” to so-called “liberal” or “progressive” Christians. There are many subjects that cause great contention (e.g. see my “The ten most difficult doctrinal/theological subjects that contemporary Christians must address.”) and if a professor finds himself on the wrong side of administration, a board member, or a prominent donor on any one of them there is a good chance that unemployment is in their future.

One of those 10, from the above link:

Quote:

2) The historical Jesus in relation to creedal Christology:

While historical Jesus research seems to be waning in some circles there remains a tension between talking about Jesus of Nazareth who walked this earth in the first century and Jesus the Second Person of the Trinity who is worshiped every Sunday and exalted in the language of the creeds. One area that will continue to be hotly debated is whether or not Jesus talked about himself in ways that indicated he thought of himself as one with God in a meaningful way.

hjalti · 04-30-2012, 10:07 PM

I think this is kinda good thing (I don't think that it's good that the guy lost is job!), because it makes clearer that these universities with "statements of faith" and so on really aren't OK with academic freedom when it comes to biblical studies.

And it's not as if this is only happening in fundie schools in the US, Lüdemann got into troubles in Germany.

Steven Carr · 05-01-2012, 01:10 AM

Let's be fair. Carrier was off his rocker when he pointed out that mythicists were extremely unlikely to offered academic teaching positions.

Vorkosigan · 05-01-2012, 01:15 AM

Glad I waited to write up Ehrman...

jdl · 05-01-2012, 01:21 AM

Larry Hurtado complains about the same problem: https://larryhurtado.wordpress.com/2...ful-cowardice/

Joseph

sotto voce · 05-01-2012, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

Jesus the Second Person of the Trinity who is worshiped every Sunday and exalted in the language of the creeds.

Mythicists can be completely certain that, while Jesus is referred to and treated in that way, they have not a hope in hell of making headway.

Solo · 05-01-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Anthony LeDonne fired by Lincoln Christian College

Ironically, Lincoln Christian was going to hold a conference on the demise of the criteria. The conference organizers are looking for a new venue.

The reasons are "explained" here

Good for Lincoln Christian University ! We would not want the fundies to brag about academic standards and freedom of expression practiced on their campuses, would we now !

Best,
Jiri

sotto voce · 05-01-2012, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

I sense that the current climate of American evangelicalism is becoming increasingly hostile to evangelical scholars who are perceived to be “conceding ground” to so-called “liberal” or “progressive” Christians. There are many subjects that cause great contention (e.g. see my “The ten most difficult doctrinal/theological subjects that contemporary Christians must address.”)

Ten fripperies.

Quote:

Words like “inerrancy,” “infallibility,” and “authority” are enough to divide churches and academic institutions.

Of course they are, when non-Christians contribute.

Quote:

One area that will continue to be hotly debated is whether or not Jesus talked about himself in ways that indicated he thought of himself as one with God in a meaningful way.

Not in the church. A Christian is one who has a christ, who redeems by his perfection. If a person does not believe that Jesus was not 'God, with us', he or she cannot be a Christ-ian. No matter how earnest the protestation otherwise.

Quote:

Since both Christianity and Islam are monotheistic religions there has been intensified discussion over whether or not the Allah of Islam is the same the God of Christianity.

At last!

Quote:

Much of Scripture and Christian theology is built on the assumption that humanity shares a single origin.

Nonsense. Why are so many skeptics deeply committed fundamentalists?

Quote:

our election season can be a nasty time for Christian unity

Not for normal people.

Quote:

Sunday morning is the most segregated day of the week in the United States

That figures. Sundays are of pagans, by pagans, for pagans.

Quote:

women having the freedom to serve in their church according to their calling

The call of late capitalism.

Quote:

Homosexuals have been abused and mistreated in our society for a long time, even by Christians.

Homosexuals have been abused and mistreated for a long time, almost invariably by leaders of corrupt societies that attempt to make themselves appear Christian in order to protect themselves from Christians.

Quote:

Global climate change seems to be a subject upon which many scientists agree and many Christians are confused

Christians are not a bit confused. If there has been a secret rapture, almost every American would still be here anyway!

Quote:

How do Christian education institutions continue to train people

The Christian education 'institution' is the local church. If there is one.

James The Least · 05-01-2012, 06:55 AM

Good thing Ehrman has tenure.

I guess this, along with Mike Licona's firing last year, are warning shots to anyone in the USA who wants to write a "historical Jesus" book. So much for academic freedom. So I guess the Quest for the Historic Jesus will have to continue in Europe. American bible colleges are only interested in the Christ of Faith.

sotto voce · 05-01-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James The Least

Good thing Ehrman has tenure.

I guess this, along with Mike Licona's firing last year, are warning shots to anyone in the USA who wants to write a "historical Jesus" book. So much for academic freedom. So I guess the Quest for the Historic Jesus will have to continue in Europe. American bible colleges are only interested in the Christ of Faith.

Americans are aware that faith follows logic. They are also aware that faith is their historic heritage, yet that faith and Mammon are incompatible. Their institutions distort, even invert faith, in order to reconcile the two for the superficial or dishonest observer.

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04-30-2012, 10:07 PM	#2
hjalti Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 761	I think this is kinda good thing (I don't think that it's good that the guy lost is job!), because it makes clearer that these universities with "statements of faith" and so on really aren't OK with academic freedom when it comes to biblical studies. And it's not as if this is only happening in fundie schools in the US, Lüdemann got into troubles in Germany.

05-01-2012, 01:10 AM	#3
Steven Carr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: England Posts: 5,629	Let's be fair. Carrier was off his rocker when he pointed out that mythicists were extremely unlikely to offered academic teaching positions.

05-01-2012, 01:15 AM	#4
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Glad I waited to write up Ehrman...

05-01-2012, 01:21 AM	#5
jdl Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Auckland Posts: 85	Larry Hurtado complains about the same problem: https://larryhurtado.wordpress.com/2...ful-cowardice/ Joseph

05-01-2012, 06:55 AM	#9
James The Least Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 393	Good thing Ehrman has tenure. I guess this, along with Mike Licona's firing last year, are warning shots to anyone in the USA who wants to write a "historical Jesus" book. So much for academic freedom. So I guess the Quest for the Historic Jesus will have to continue in Europe. American bible colleges are only interested in the Christ of Faith.

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