Why “Bereans @ The Gate”?
Jeff Haymond (JH) –
We took it from
the Bereans in Acts 17 who were seeking
the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was
saying was true. Plus, we’re playing on this
idea of barbarians at the gate. Also, there’s
the scriptural reference to “the gates of hell
will not prevail against you” (Matt. 16:18).
The Gospel is on the offensive, not the
defensive. As we’re presenting this truth,
we’re trying to confront a culture that does
not think scripturally in most areas.
Why a blog?
JH –
We’d had a series of lunches over
the previous year, looking for ways to
collaborate. I think it was Mark Smith’s idea
because he’s the technology guy, so we’re
blaming him.
Mark Caleb Smith (MCS) –
Compared to you, I’m the technology guy
(laughing). It’s a good tool for us to work
together in virtual space to reach people
who might not otherwise be reached.
Tom Mach (TM) –
We wanted to
show the connection between what God’s
Word teaches and important issues of the
day, be they political, social, cultural, or
economic. We wanted Cedarville to be seen
as an institution where we take Scripture
seriously.
Marc Clauson (MC) –
I think the
whole idea of Christian worldview has
declined over the last 20 years. People
don’t talk about it as much at Christian
universities, and it’s our desire to bring
back an examination of what we do, how
we think, and the way we should think from
an explicitly biblical perspective.
Bert Wheeler (BW) –
For the
University as a whole, we wanted to make
a statement as individual faculty that this
is the way we think about these issues.
In addition to being biblical, it’s very
conservative in its outlook. We wanted to
reach a larger constituency and say, “Yes,
this is what Cedarville is, that’s where
we’ve been historically and where we’ll be
in future.”
MCS –
That’s what makes [the blog] so
countercultural. If you look at the culture
at large, there’s precious little evidence that
it cares for the Bible. We’re arguing that
biblical truth is relevant in a variety of areas,
not just simply in theology.
BW –
There’s clearly a downgrade away
from biblical values in our culture. We
think this way, this is the right way to think,
and this is the solution to some of the issues
facing the broader culture. Those solutions
are embedded in the Word of God.
Bereans at
the Gate
Cedarville Professors
Peacefully Storm Internet
With Biblical Worldview
In the spring of 2013, five Cedarville University political science, history, and economic
professors —
Dr. Marc Clauson, Dr. Jeff Haymond, Dr. TomMach, Dr. Mark Caleb Smith,
and Dr. Bert Wheeler (see their bios inset)
—made the bold decision to storm the gates of
online media with their blog, “Bereans @The Gate”
.
They address
politics, economics, theology, history, law, and culture, even writing the occasional movie
review. As their “About” page explains: “We hope to use the insights we find to peacefully
storm the gates that surround our fallen culture.”
Cedarville Magazine
sat down with the Berean bloggers this fall to learn about the
purpose for the website, reactions they’ve received, their hopes for its future, why they’re
Bereans, and how they’re going on the offensive without offending.
Bert Wheeler
is a Professor of Economics and Berry Chair of Free
Enterprise at Cedarville. He earned his Ph.D. in economics
from the University of Tennessee.
Jeff Haymond
is an Associate Professor of Economics and Associate
Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the School of
Business Administration at Cedarville. He received his
Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University.
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Cedarville Magazine
