Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2014

Cedarville Magazine 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314 1-888-CEDARVILLE | magazine@cedarville.edu cedarville.edu/magazine Committed In recent years, many of the faculty members became concerned with an apparent shift among some of their colleagues. Some argued that we could not be certain of God’s truth, but only confident. A few faculty members began to accept theological positions that would have pushed Cedarville to the far left of an evangelical movement that was increasingly losing focus on historic orthodox Christianity. As a few faculty members and trustees questioned our mission and doctrinal statement, faculty morale began to erode. Without a painful but essential correction, the Cedarville University focus on “The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ” would be lost. The necessary correction began in 2013, and a special Board of Trustees meeting was held that spring. The faculty presented the trustees with a resolution reading: We, the faculty of Cedarville University, resolve that: We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, embracing all matters which the biblical authors address, and believe that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. This unwavering commitment to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ binds together our past and present and must shape our future so that we might be a beacon for, and not a pale reflection of, the world around us. While this resolution was a restatement of the first point in the doctrinal statement, it was designed to show that the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture were not simply a condition of employment, but a conviction of the heart for every faculty member who voted for it. The motion received applause and numerous “seconds.” It was then overwhelmingly approved by the University faculty. Unfortunately, it was not unanimous, as some abstained. Who would have imagined a Cedarville where some faculty would not support the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture? The Board of Trustees met and reaffirmed our historical biblical position. This led to the departure of some faculty members and trustees, but praise God, today the University stands firmly committed to its historical doctrinal position. Expected As our new PresidentThomas White, came to office in the summer of 2013, he clearly affirmed that all faculty and staff members were required to sign and actively support the doctrinal statement in all classes and activities. He symbolically signed the statement at his inauguration so that all could see that Cedarville was true to its theological foundation. As we look together to the future, expect to see a continued emphasis for all students and faculty members to have a personal relationship with God through salvation provided by faith in Jesus Christ. Expect to see daily chapel remain a vital aspect of our University culture. Expect to see a faculty and administration that believe wholeheartedly in our doctrinal statement and in the integration of Scripture and knowledge. On the basis of my almost half-century as a part of this wonderful University, I am happy to say that Cedarville stands firmly on an unwavering commitment to “The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” J. Murray Murdoch is Senior Professor of History at Cedarville. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He is currently the second-longest-serving professor at Cedarville, serving since 1965. You may contact him at murdochm@cedarville.edu. In Closing Cedarville Magazine | 53