I applaud Bob Jones University, my alma mater, for stating this clearly in a statement released today:
Bob Jones University has existed since 1927 as a private Christian institution of higher learning for the purpose of helping young men and women cultivate a biblical worldview, represent Christ and His Gospel to others, and glorify God in every dimension of life. BJU’s history has been chiefly characterized by striving to achieve those goals; but like any human institution, we have failures as well.
For almost two centuries American Christianity, including BJU in its early stages, was characterized by the segregationist ethos of American culture. Consequently, for far too long, we allowed institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more directly by that ethos than by the principles and precepts of the Scriptures. We conformed to the culture rather than provide a clear Christian counterpoint to it.
Praise the Lord for the humility and wisdom of BJU President Stephen Jones. I have prayed for him and the University in the past to do the right thing with regard to this issue, and I prayed for him during the small (Facebook) controversy which gave rise to this statement. My prayers were answered beyond what I expected, and I rejoice.
I am so thankful that the university finally admitted being wrong here. Ever since the announcement in 2000 I’ve felt like they never really said that the policies were wrong, but rather that they just changed them so as to not cause problems.
It takes a lot of humility to say, “We were wrong,” but it’s the right thing to do. The Bible is infallible, but our interpretations of it are not. We can be influenced by our culture to hold an unbiblical position.
I hope that certain group that like to draw parallels between the issue of racism and their struggle to have their sin accepted doesn’t pick up on this. The Bible is still very, very clear that homosexuality is wrong.