######################################################### The Student Voice Issue 4, Number 5 1.31.1997 ######################################################### 358+ Readers ######################################################### PCC: Like the skillful fisherman who once he has the fish hooked can always jerk it back into compliance by the threat or fact of personal constraint. ######################################################### Who We Are: The Student Voice is a weekly, on-line commentary and editorial page about the problems that are prevalent at Pensacola Christian College. As an institution that considers itself at the pinnacle of true Christianity, PCC ought to be willing to back up its practices with Scripture, but unfortunately, when one compares the "system" of PCC with true Christianity, PCC falls far short. Our purpose is three-fold: (1) To provide public exposure regarding the practices at PCC; (2) To compare PCC dogma with Scriptural principle, generally accepted societal behavior, and the law of reason; (3) By bringing about this exposure, to see PCC make some positive changes in the areas of discipline, communication with parents and students, church practice, ethical behavior, and educational philosophy. Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." ######################################################### QUOTES OF THE WEEK "It is often more important to understand the question than it is to have an answer." - William Kaplan, "Intellectual Curiosity" "We should not trust our leaders; we should elect them and watch them." - Newt Gingrich "A gentleman haranguing on the perfection of our law, and that it was equally open to the poor and to the rich, was answered by another, 'So is the London Tavern'." - John Horne Tooke, from THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE "We believe that the classroom methods should be teacher directed. . . with the student acquiringknowledge [sic] through. . . reasoning. . . ." Pensacola Christian College, from their public web page (General Info, p. 2) ######################################################### TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 I. Voice Announcements II. Thoughts On Power, by Max Lucado III. Essays "Standardless Standards: A Case Study" Part 2, by Paul S. Perdue Page 2 "Standardless Standards: A Case Study" (continued. . . .) IV. Your Comments ######################################################### I. VOICE ANNOUNCEMENTS >>> If you would like any copies of back issues, please let us know. However, we would ask that you limit your request to 2 issues per request in order for us to be more efficient. Once you have received the two issues, then please feel free to request 2 more. Here is a list of Voice issues and other information: The Student Voice Introductory Letter Transcript of Dr. Horton's comments made about The Student Voice Issue 1, Nos. 1 - 4 Issue 2, Nos. 1 - 5 Issue 3, No. 1 ("Rules Compilation," Version 1) Issue 3, Nos. 2 - 3 Issue 4, Nos. 1 - 4 >>> We are in the process of putting together an "official" web page where back issues, the Rules Compilation and other interesting information will be displayed. Please stay tuned. >>> If you do not wish to receive The Student Voice, please drop us an e-mail and let us know. If you know of someone who would be interested in receiving The Student Voice, let us know. ######################################################### II. THOUGHTS ON POWER [From THE APPLAUSE OF HEAVEN, by Max Lucado] It might interest you to know that the first power play happened not on Wall Street nor on a battlefield, but in a garden. The first promise of prestige was whispered with a hiss, a wink, and a snakish grin by a fallen angel. Standing in the shadow of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Satan knew what to offer Eve to convince her to eat the apple. It wasn't pleasure. It wasn't health. It wasn't prosperity. It was. . . well, you read his words and look for his lure: "God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." The words found a soft spot. "You will be like God. . . ." Eve stroked her chin as she replayed the promise. "You will be like God. . . ." The snake pulled back the curtain to the throne room and invited Eve to take a seat. Put on the crown. Pick up the scepter. Put on the cape. See how it feels to have power. See how it feels to have a name. See how it feels to be in control! Eve swallowed the hook. The temptation to be like God eclipsed her view of God, and the crunch of an apple echoed in the kingdom. You know the rest of the story. Now, perhaps your flirtations with power haven't been so blatant. No doubt, you were amused at the thought of spending six grand on a table manners seminar. No doubt you've shaken your head in amazement at the buy-outs staged by the barons of Wall Street. No doubt you've been chagrined by the murders ordered by drug lords and kingpins. That type of power play has no attraction for you. If the snake were to woo you with promises of status, you'd send him back to the pit, right? Or would you? "King of the Mountain" comes in many forms. It's the boss who won't compliment her employees. After all, workers need to be kept in their place. It's the husband who refuses to be kind to his wife. He knows if he does he will lose his most powerful weapon - her fear of his rejection. It's the employee who places personal ambition over personal integrity. It's the wife who withholds sex both to punish and persuade. It might be the taking of someone's life, or it might be the taking of someone's turn. It might be manipulation with a pistol, or it might be manipulation with a pout. It might be the takeover of a nation by a politician, or the takeover of a church by a preacher. But they are all spelled the same: P-O-W-E-R. All have the same goal: "I will get what I want at your expense." All have the same game plan: push, shove, take, and lie. All have listened to the same snake, the same lying Lucifer who whispers into the ears of anyone who will listen, "You will be like God." And all have the same end: futility. Please note carefully what I am about to say. Absolute power is unreachable. The pole to the top is greasy, and the ladder rungs are made of cardboard. When you stand at the top - if there is a top - the only way to go is down. And the descent is often painful. . . . The pole of power is greasy. The emperor Charlemagne knew that. An interesting story surrounds the burial of this famous king. Legend has it that he asked to be entombed sitting upright in his throne. He asked that his crown be placed on his head and his scepter in his hand. He requested that the royal cape be draped around his shoulders and an open book be placed in his lap. That was A.D. 814. Nearly two hundred years later, Emperor Othello determined to see if the burial request had been carried out. He allegedly sent a team of men to open the tomb and make a report. They found the body just as Charlemagne had requested. Only now, nearly two centuries later, the scene was gruesome. The crown was tilted, the mantle moth-eaten, the body disfigured. But open on the skeletal thighs was the book Charlemagne had requested - the Bible. One bony finger pointed to Matthew 16:26: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" You can answer that one. ######################################################### III. ESSAYS "Standardless Standards: A Case Study " Part 2 By: Paul S. Perdue I. Dr. Horton's Introduction in the 96/97 Student Handbook A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 2 C. Paragraph 3 II. The Story of Jeremy Piontek A. The Dean's Office B. The Phone Call C. The Confrontation III. The Letter ------------------------------------------------------------ I. Dr. Horton's Introduction in the 96/97 Student Handbook One of the aspects of Pensacola Christian College that needs no external verification to anyone who is familiar with the school's hierarchical and administrative system of control is that Dr. Horton's word is law. "It is Dr[.] Horton[']s school[,] and he can make whatever rules he wishes," replied a current student in summing up a prevalent "thinking" among some students and faculty. No checks, no balances, no corrections. It is as clear an example of the "E.F. Hutton syndrome" as there could possibly be - when Dr. Horton speaks, the PCC community listens. I have been somewhat amused by those who have tried to justify and explain Dr. Horton's public comments that were made about The Voice. People intellectually and linguistically tripping all over themselves trying to point out why what Dr. Horton said was correct and why the clear mischaracterizations and false statements were not really mischaracterizations or false statements. The themes are the same, and the substance is always shallow, at best. But one theme that was sickeningly clear was that if Dr. Horton said it, it was right. The truth is not important; rather, the man is, and regardless of all the external evidence to the contrary, Dr. Horton is always right. Besides the obvious fallacy of maintaining human perfection is the lack of willingness to actually examine what Dr. Horton says. Of course, there is an obvious risk in doing this (i.e., expulsion or termination of one's employment), and just the fact that there is a risk has an awful lot of parallel connotations (see Issue 4, No. 3 on the similarities of PCC's current thinking and cult thinking). In this series of essays The Voice is examining PCC's Student Handbook, and we are simply pointing out many of the difficulties and problems that are inherent in a system of "regulations" that are incomplete, vague and based upon no discernable principles. The very first page of the Handbook presents a short letter from Dr. Horton with a picture of him sitting on a couch holding a PCC Update, the Update being the ultimate symbol of arrogant commercialization and perhaps a symbol of PCC's ultimate god - money and prestige. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to be holding something scholarly? Or a Bible? Perhaps it really is not that important. . . . The following is the text of the letter found on the first page of the Student Handbook: ******************** A GREETING FROM OUR PRESIDENT Welcome to Pensacola Christian College. It is our prayer that this year will be one of the happiest and most spiritually enriching years of your life. Life is a blend of privileges and responsibilities. When you learn to balance these ingredients, you have personal fulfillment and harmonious relationships with others. This is a vital part of your education and your overall spiritual growth. This student handbook contains the regulations and procedures that govern student life and a description of the many student services provided for you at Pensacola Christian College. I trust that you will willingly accept both the privileges and the responsibilities. If you have questions regarding any part of the handbook, feel free to contact the office of the Dean of Men or Dean of Women. We want to assist you in any way we can. May God bless you as together we seek to serve Him. Sincerely, /s/ Arlin Horton Arlin Horton, LL.D. President/Founder ******************** Three quick paragraphs, but they say so much. In order to understand the Handbook and all of the myriad of other factors, one must first read and comprehend Dr. Horton's comments, because remember, Dr. Horton's word is law. ------------------------------------------------------------ A. Paragraph 1 1. Positive Aspects This paragraph certainly lays out some legitimate and substantial goals. It is friendly, thereby substantiating PCC's claim to being a friendly campus. Dr. Horton speaks of these goals being his prayer and not his hope or desire, and this is to be commended. Also, the apparent thrust is for the student to grow spiritually AND be happy at the same time. This is often one of the difficulties the unsaved see in Christianity - happiness AND spirituality, and so to emphasize these two concepts together is highly appropriate for a Christian college setting. 2. Negative Aspects There seems to be a very important ingredient that is left out of the mix here. What about INTELLECTUAL GROWTH? PCC is a college, is it not? And a college is supposed to be teaching higher thought, is it not? I submit to you that what you are paying for primarily when you pay for college is intellectual growth; spiritual growth and happiness are aspects that are to be taken care of through other avenues primarily (i.e., church/personal devotions and general social activity). The fact that anything regarding intellectual growth has been left out speaks volumes. If it was left out UNINTENTIONALLY, then Dr. Horton has forgotten the school's primary goal to enhance the development of the mind, as well as the heart and soul. If it was left out INTENTIONALLY, then Dr. Horton is setting PCC up as something it is not, which is a college, and the obvious problems of that are evident, I hope. B. Paragraph 2 1. Positive Aspects Life certainly is a "blend of privileges and responsibilities," and this is certainly an important principle to recognize, understand and to apply. 2. Negative Aspects (1) What are the "responsibilities" that a college student should be accepting and learning? Is it the responsibility to grow? Then why does PCC not permit this? Is it the responsibility to be an adult? Then why does PCC not permit this? Is it to search the Scriptures, study them, and reason in a meaningful way? Then why does PCC not permit this? Obviously, this short letter is not the place to define what the responsibilities are, but PCC does need to clarify what these "responsibilities" are somewhere. Most of you who are parents allow your sons or daughters to gain more and more responsibilities the older they get, and it would seem to me that the college experience should be an extension of this growth. But it is not, and there are many people who can neither answer or justify the simple question of why. (2) Although part of life at PCC is to accept the responsibilities that have been put in place, what about PCC'S RESPONSIBILITIES? If life is a blend that includes responsibilities for every person to follow, then it would logically follow that PCC is also subject to some responsibilities to the students that it encourages to attend, the parents of whose students it takes their money, the community which allows it to exist, and God who is the ultimate authority, although Dr. Horton apparently has a problem with this idea (see his comments regarding The Voice's view on authority). If PCC is going to shove the student's responsibilities down their throats, and yet fail to exercise some itself, then there is a serious problem. (3) There is another very important word that should be inserted into this paragraph, for to leave it out is highly misleading. Instead of it saying, "This student handbook contains the regulations and procedures. . ." it should say instead, "This student handbook contains SOME of the regulations and procedures. . . ." Compare our Rules Compilation (Issue 3, No. 1) - which is only a small compilation - to the Student Handbook, and you will find that many of the rules listed in the Rules Compilation are NOT listed in the Handbook. This is important, for a student reading this for the first time, or a parent reading this could think that the Handbook is exclusive in that it contains EVERY rule. Well, after several trips to the "Discipline" Committee, that student would learn that the word "some" should have been inserted into the aforementioned sentence. C. Paragraph 3 1. Positive Aspects I find nothing positive in this paragraph. 2. Negative Aspects I could sit here and technically explain why this paragraph is a complete lie, but I think I will let another student who learned that this is NOT, in fact an accurate description of either a student's "privilege" nor of PCC's "responsibility." Read the following story, and then you determine for yourself whether or not this paragraph has any truth in it whatsoever. Bear in mind also that the following story is only one of numerous ones The Voice has on file (a rapidly growing file, I might add) that is similar in content. In other words, don't take my word for it, but listen to those who have been hurt by following Dr. Horton's less than candid statements. ------------------------------------------------------------ II. The Story of Jeremy Piontek [As a preferatory remark, let it be noted that the "devotions policy" was explained by Dr. Horton is his comments about The Student Voice, and we have further explained why his position is unsupportable by logic or Scripture in Issue 2, No. 4 if you need some background information regarding this topic.] A. The Dean's Office Dear Voice, First of all, this took place in the Fall of 95, immediately after the public devotions policy took effect. I simply wrote a letter to the administration expressing my negative sentiment regarding the policy. [See the attached letter in Part III - eds.] I pointed out in the letter that they were putting themselves in the place of the Holy Spirit by deciding that everyone who chose to worship might be doing so with a motivation of false piety. This is, of course, a very dangerous position to be in, commanding such spiritual authority--that which is not divinely endowed to you. I also mentioned in the letter that a majority of the students disagreed with the policy. I said that this division might not yet be evident, but that it definitely existed. That is why I appreciate the stand you are taking at the Voice. Also included in the letter was a brief mention of the fact that no state college or university can forbid its students to have public devotions. This is an infringement upon [their] constitutional rights to meet and peaceably assemble. How sad it is that the one place public fellowship is forbidden is on a "Christian" college campus. I considered my actions for several days before following through with sending the letter to the administration. I consulted my parents, and they supported me in that they thought I should do what I believed the right thing was to do. I delivered the letter to the administrative offices in person, and left it with the secretary shortly before my 2:00 history class. Having observed other cases such as this, and wanting to spare myself a bit of embarrassment, I didn't even bother going to my class, knowing full well what would happen. I returned to my room immediately, and within 15 minutes, the phone rang. It was the dean's office. The secretary told me that I should come to the dean's office immediately. I arrived at the dean's offices shortly thereafter. I had no more than signed in and turned around to sit on the couch when a friend of mine who was also a floorleader walked in. He sat next to me on the couch. "I guess you're my shadow, huh _____." I said. He said nothing. "Don't worry. I doubt if I'll be here too long." At this point, the secretary's phone rang and she told me to go into Dean Ohman's office. I opened the door and walked in with my Bible, a notebook, and a micro-cassette recorder. As I entered the office, I noticed Dean Ohman was seated behind his desk, and Mr. Graham, his assistant, was seated to the left on a couch. I had suspected there would be two of them present, and this is why I had opted to bring my recorder. I seated myself and started recording. Not trying to be deceptive, I had not hidden the recorder. Dean Ohman didn't notice, however, as he began speaking. He said that the administration had received the letter, and that it was a very serious letter. By this time, the recorder had caught the eye of Mr. Graham, and he interrupted Dean Ohman, saying that he needed to speak with him privately. Dean Ohman told me to go back out into the waiting room and have a seat. After a short period of about 30 seconds or so, the secretary's phone rang again, and I was summoned again. I returned to the office and turned on the tape recorder. Dean Ohman, having been briefed that I had the cassette recorder, began speaking again. "There are to be no tape recorders on in this office when we are talking." he was saying. I expressed to him that it was my view that, since I had no witness (as he did in Mr. Graham), I thought it was merely a safety measure for me to have the conversation on tape. The logic of my argument didn't sit well with the dean. "Either you shut off the tape recorder, or we can't have a conversation." "I don't think I can do that." I answered. "Okay," was all he said, and motioned for me to return to the waiting room. I sat down next to my "shadow" one more time and waited. After a few minutes, I watched as Dean Ohman came out of his office and left the dean's offices area. In about ten minutes he returned and stood before me (I was still seated). "Is this what you want?" he said curtly, shaking a white form in my face. I looked at the heading on the paper, and recognized it as a "request for withdrawal" form. "No sir, this is not what I want. I would rather talk to someone about the policy. I don't WANT to leave necessarily." "That's it!" Dean Ohman said, raising his voice at least one threshold above mildly loud. "You're outta here. ______ (floorleader's name), show him out." Having said all he intended to say, apparently, Dean Ohman turned around, went back into his office and closed the door. I stood there in a sort of daze, not sure of what exactly had just transpired. The floorleader who had been "assigned" to me, myself, and Mr. Graham returned to my room where we were met by Young Tower residence director, Mr. James Kallas. Within an hour, all of my things were packed in the back of my truck. Two of my friends called my room while I was in the process of packing my things. Mr. Kallas saw fit to intercept the calls and denied me the opportunity to communicate with my friends in any way. Mr. Graham took care of cutting up my ID card, and left. Mr. Kallas tried reasoning with me to just back down and stick it out. I told him I didn't think that would work. There was no way I could live with myself if I sacrificed my beliefs and convictions. It was at around 4:30 that I drove through the gates and left the campus of PCC. What the date was exactly escapes me, although I believe it was in the very early days of November. I stayed overnight at a friend's house in town. The next day I drove home to Wisconsin. B. The Phone Call A few days after I had arrived home, Dean Ohman apparently felt that a little damage control was in order. He called my home to speak with my parents. They refused to talk to him until I had spoken with him first. I had already made them aware of all the previous goings-on. I spoke to Dean Ohman briefly to determine my status as a student. Because of the nature of my departure, I was somewhat concerned as to whether my grades would be noted as withdrawn, or if I would be penalized for expulsion. The reason for my concern was that there had never been any official acceptance on my part of the request for withdrawal offered me by Dean Ohman. I had never taken the form from him. When I asked Dean Ohman about this, he reassured me not to worry. I asked him categorically, "How will I be treated, then? As a student who withdrew, or as a student who was expelled?" Once again he answered reassuringly, "You will be considered as a student who has withdrawn." At this point, I said goodbye to the dean, and turned the conversation over to my father. I continued to listen in on the phone extension, however, in order to note any inconsistencies in Dean Ohman's explanation. One glaring inconsistency nearly floored me. Dean Ohman reported to my father that I had SIGNED THE REQUEST FOR WITHDRAWAL. This is, of course, not true. There was never any official interaction regarding my withdrawal, and still has not been, other than the mailing of my transcripts to Liberty University. C. The Confrontation The next February, I returned to the Pensacola area once again. I stayed in a condo at Perdido Key during a short vacation. I thought I would "test the waters" at PCC, mostly out of amusement, but also because I have many close friends who attended PCC, as well. I decided to attend church with some friends of mine at the Campus Church. The Dale Horton Auditorium was filled to capacity for the Sunday morning service, so we headed for the overflow in the Sports Center. I sat through the service, only interrupted once by someone sitting behind me (apparently a floorleader, who asked me not to speak with my friend during the song service). Afterwards, however, the fireworks began. I was exiting the Sports Center through the main lobby, when an RA recognized me. He called me over, and I offered him a handshake and a smile. I thought he just wanted to say hi, but I was wrong. "Jeremy," he said, "you're not allowed on campus. You're going to have to leave." I laughed a little, and told him that everything was cool with Dean Ohman and I, and that I was told there was no problem because I was considered withdrawn and not expelled. He continued: "I just talked to Dean Ohman this morning (I guess I had been spotted earlier by the RA's watchful eyes), and he said you're not allowed here." As he said these words, the elevator door opened, and Dean Ohman stepped out. By this time, everyone else had left the Sports Center. My friends had gone on and were waiting for me outside. As Dean Ohman walked toward me, I noticed something else to my left out of the corner of my eye. Mr. Gillespie, then the head of security at PCC, came and stood next to me. He simply stood there with his arms crossed, never once saying a word. Dean Ohman spoke first. "Jeremy, I'm sorry, but you're not welcome on this campus. I'm afraid you'll have to leave." "But Dean Ohman," I countered, "you said when we talked on the phone that I wouldn't be treated like an expelled student. What's going on?" "That's just the decision of the administration, and I'm just telling you what's what." I assured the dean that I was not there to make a scene and cause trouble. My intention was merely to visit with friends. I told him I would leave, and then I walked out and rejoined my friends. After a brief reunion with my roommates in my former room, I left the campus for the last time. I have heard of things like this happening to other people, but never realized how truly humiliating it might be. It's not that I didn't expect it to happen, I just thought that perhaps someone would simply inform me that I should leave in order to avoid making a scene. Instead the scene was made, and I just walked into it. It is something that I'll never forget. I have moved on now to Liberty University. I hope to graduate in the spring of 1998, Lord-willing. You may use my story however you wish. I hope that others at PCC will continue to stand up for what they believe in, even though an oppressive administration seems insurmountable at times. I would like to leave you with a verse which I included in the letter I sent to the administration, and claimed during the entire ordeal, and just about every day since then. It was the follow up to the story of Daniel and his refusal to change his ways to suit the new laws regarding worship of God. "So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian." Daniel 6:28 I am sure that I took the right stand at Pensacola Christian. I know that God will take care of me. In Christ's unfailing love, Jeremy Piontek student at PCC fall '92-fall '95 ------------------------------------------------------------ "Standardless Standards: A Case Study" (continued. . . .) ------------------------------------------------------------ III. The Letter To the administration of PCC, (written Nov. 95) That I am writing this letter to the administrators of a "Christian" college is indeed an irony. I am aware of no public university which forbids individuals to meet with one another to read and study God's Word together. As far as I know, most colleges and universities recognize the constitutional rights of their students. I am deeply disturbed by this administration's attempt to amend the holy and infallible Word of God. While I am sure your motives are pure, I urge you to reconsider your stance on this issue. You may have reasoned it through many times, but please be aware of the dangers of essentially slipping into the shoes of the Holy Spirit of God. "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall also be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matt. 7:1-2) God does, indeed, despise false and shallow piety. But nowhere in His Word does He bestow upon man the right to determine to what degree public worship should be permitted. When you displace an almighty God in choosing to assume the role of determining when and where His children may worship, you are walking on a weak thread of assumed holiness. If I were in your place as administrators, I would have to ask myself: "What does God hate more?" Preaching against false piety is one thing. Instruction in wisdom, backed with Scripture leaves room for the Holy Spirit to work in hearts. Policing piety requires that men--not God--determine what will, and what will not be allowed. As administrators, you are treading on thin ice. In no way would I want to be in your place. I have been a student at Pensacola Christian for nearly seven semesters. I stand to lose a lot for going against the grade on this issue, but I know that God is only preparing me to stand up for what is right when I enter the world. I would die for my faith. It is certainly not too much for God to ask that I sacrifice a few years of college education. I am prepared to do so if necessary. With this in mind, I would ask that you remove this policy which denies students the privilege to study God's Word and pray together as they choose. I would also ask, since the policy was announced in a chapel service, that you publicly recant the stand you have taken up to this point in time. If you feel that you cannot do this, I have already decided that I will withdraw from Pensacola Christian College. I would no longer be able to remain here "in the spirit of this institution." I will never surrender any right to worship freely--not at this school, or any other. This is what you are asking the student body to do. Are you in the place of God? (Gen. 50:19) "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) God never promised us that His service would be easy, but service to God is a command and not an option. Upon my withdrawal from Pensacola Christian, should this become necessary, I will endeavor to relate this incident to as many people as possible. It is my prayer that those who may be considering coming to PCC to continue their education would be made aware of this administrations' policies before they arrive on the campus and sign away a good part of their constitutional protection as American citizens. I may stand alone in my endeavor, but I know that I am not the first, nor will I be the last. I know there are others who believe as I do--who believe that there is no place for regulating the worship of our God. As Jesus said in Matthew 12:25, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:" There is a great division on this campus. A division which is not all that apparent at this point because there have not been enough people who have stood up for the right. It is my fervent prayer that God will give others the courage to stand up to this administration. "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Heb.13:6) The administration has apparently succeeded in stifling the protest of this policy for the most part. But I claim II Chronicles 20:12. "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee." My eyes are upon God. I will not change my mind. I will not compromise. I have the peace that accompanies a clear conscience. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Please reconsider. I would ask that you inform me of your intentions by Saturday's end. Prayerfully, Jeremy Piontek ------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to know the core problem of Pensacola Christian College, you have just read it. PCC believes that it and it alone may determine what is the will of God and the movings of the Holy Spirit. This is not a preference problem. This is not an educational problem. This is, first of all, a problem of honesty and forthrightness. Dr. Horton clearly maintains that the Dean's offices are there to help - including many of your children. But what he doesn't tell you is that they will only help insofar as it HELPS PCC. They are not concerned with helping or loving the students, your children, but they are concerned with making sure your children do not know enough to question their self-ordained theology. But more importantly than that is the second problem that is as clear as can be here. What this is is a problem with the Word of God, and I submit to you that a problem with the Word of God is a serious problem. You can continue to try to justify it, and you may continue to try to tear The Voice down for speaking up, but as long we have a voice, and as long as PCC decides to go against the clear "spirit of Christianity," The Voice will continue to tell the stories of heroes such as Jeremy Piontek, and the stories of those who slander the halls of truth, such as the PCC administration. ######################################################## IV. YOUR COMMENTS The opinions, ideas, and facts stated in this section do not necessarily represent those of The Student Voice. We make our best efforts to be fair and to verify factual statements. ------------------------------------------- [From T---, a recent alumnus - eds.] Dear [Voice]: For a month now I have continued to be only an observer to the Voice and its critics and friends. After remarking again and again about the pros and cons read by both sides of mountains of issues surrounding PCC, I have come to realize that both sides have become involved in a "cold war". Neither side wanting to actually "fight it out" only threaten and try to motivate its followers. You were right in identifying yourself; I only hope Lupos will do the same next. I will continue to read your letters each week. Each new issue brings new meaning to the term internet warfare. May the best man win! Sincerely, '96 Alumnus ------------------------------------------- [From R---, - eds.] [Voice], Please listen carfully to what I have to say, I do not need nor do I want any response to this email. Read it, take it for what its worth, delete it and go on. I do not know or even care about what happend to you at PCC or who you are holding a gruge against, I could care less, but... You know down in your heart as well as every reader of your Voice that there are far worse places on earth than PCC. PCC has never claimed to be perfect. There is not a single Christian college in the world that is perfect. There are big and small problems with all colleges. I don't see you trying to put down those other colleges... why not? You can justify your reasons for putting down PCC till you are blue in the face, but you know deep down in your heart that there really is know reason at all. You can say that "I just want to inform the potential students of what they might be getting into" Trust me they already know, PCC does have a big reputation. I knew more than anyone what I was getting into when I went to PCC, however I did not let Satan give me a rebellious heart and I had fun there. And listen to this, If I wanted to I could easily give you a number of things to print in your student voice against PCC, the very staff itself could give you a number of things also. My point is this... You and I were not put here on this earth to pick apart all the problems a Christian ministry like PCC may have, every ministry has them! There is nothing you can say about PCC that I do not already know about them, I am sure that most (not all) of the things you and your readers say against PCC are to some degree true, like I said any ministry will have problems. You need to focus on the good things like how many people have come to know the Lord at the personal saviour at PCC and things like that! If you could care less about those things, don't say anything at all. I don't know you very well, but I am sure you are a normal level headed guy... however you should refocus on the big picture. I am sure you are capable of forgiving PCC for what ever they might have done to you and go on with your life. My purpose for this letter is not for a debate, primarily because there is nothing to debate and also because you would probably win. I can't sit here and say every thing you say about PCC is false because some of it is true. However there is a need to refocus if you just can't bring youself to refocus just let it go. Is it really worth losing sleep over? I believe that you do know down in your heart that what you have been doing is pretty shallow and meaningless. People know what they are getting into when they choose to attend PCC and if they can't stand it they will leave or get kicked out. As a matter of fact there is a faculty member at PCC whom I can't stand and I actully went to his office and yelled at him for his teaching methods or lack thereof. But I rolled with it and went on. There is deeper meaning to life than not getting along with a teacher. And hey I made it through PCC and I believe you did to. See ya R---- ------------------------------------------- In reponse to what has happened with the phones at PCC recently -- Those of us who have had the fun and fortune to go surfing on the 'Net, we know just how wonderful this new technological era is. The Internet is the best thing that's happened since Ben Franklin discovered male pattern baldness, and for the college to deny the students the use of such a tremendous resource is nearly the same as depriving milk from a baby - without proper nourishment, how can you expect the baby to grow? And since PCC is so bent on treating their students like children, the metaphor seems all too appropriate. I have friends and know of many others who have found jobs as the direct result of the Internet, and to me, to prohibit Internet access is to deny many soon-to-be-graduating students the means to increase their chances of success in the job market. But, seeing what PCC has done, it just goes to show you the lengths that administration will go to maintain absolute control, and how much they fear open minds and the doubts which undoubtably must plague the consciences of the PCC hierarchy. Just as we question them, they must also be continually asking themselves if they truly believe, before God, that what they are doing is right. It's like a good friend of mine once said to me after chapel at PCC: "If they're so right about everything, why do they hafta keep reminding us that they're right?" Oh, and BTW - I have a question for all those anti-Student V people out there: Please, for my benefit, attempt to give me the name and location of ANY educational institution in America, secular or Christian, other than PCC, where the students have been denied any and all access to the Internet. C--- ------------------------------------------- [This is from parents of a PCC student - eds.] Greetings Student V: Have you heard this one? I just received a call from our daughter who is a student of PCC. I was again rendered speechless when she told me that she was not allowed to visit her intended at his house under his parents supervision (both are on staff). What caused my speechlessness, though, was that if we, her parents, lived in the area he would be allowed to visit her, under our supervision. His parents are not very happy about this. It caused me to wonder if they (PCC head honchos) believe that parents of young women are able to control their offspring better than parents of young men. To carry it one step further, maybe they just believe that young men, even though, they may belong to Christ cannot control themselves and are totally rendered defenseless because of raging hormones. This is all regardless of the fact they are in the company of their parents. On behalf of my daughter and her young man I would like to say that we are quite pleased with her choice. We could not ask for a more level-headed, non-legalist, Christ-centered friend, in spite of the slanted views he has had to put up with at PCC. The reason is, neither he nor his parents have closed their minds and continue to study and search the scriptures to see if these things be true, just as Paul exhorted the Berean Christians to do. Continued Blessings on you and your newsletter, ------------------------------------------- Paul, I am disapointed that you would publish an article "from an anonymous observer." You have called "those who adhere to the PCC system" cowards, and yet you print comments from a person who is too cowardly to add his name to his two cents. I read your newsletter simply for the laughs. You claim that the StudentV newsletter is your ministry. You claim that these articles shine the light of the truth on the problems of the PCC system. I would like to read an article in your newsletter that tells the story of someone who read the StudentV and drew closer to the Lord as a result. If your newsletter is ever going to be more than a gossip column, you must not publish articles sent by anonymous observers or publish second-hand stories about people who have made mistakes. Your newsletter could indeed be a ministry if you were to focus your God-given talents on expounding the Truth of the Word. Gossip will never defeat a corrupt system, but God's Word can. As it is with every ministry run by people, PCC will make mistakes. However, if PCC has erred Scripturally, your newsletter would be more effective if you were to fill it with Bible passages that addressed the error. Chris Sallee >>> Chris, perhaps if you would stop laughing and start reading, you would find all of the things you so desperately are looking for. Paul S. Perdue, Editor ---------------------------------------- [From an alumnus regarding the Campus Church - eds.] Another remark about the Campus Church...Isn't the pastor supposed to be the "leader of the flock?" He is supposed to be the spiritual director and work with the people of the congregation according to what I understand about the "New Testament model" we hear so much about. Something that I noticed in addition to the virtually mindless head-nodding that you wrote about is equally disturbing to me in light of the above. Whenever a speaker would say something that the "congregation" did not know what to think about, who did they automatically look at for a reaction? It usually was not Pastor Schettler or Pastor Redlin or Mr. Allen. Who's sermon reactions did everyone refer to when they would say (after the sermon and concerning the speaker), "I wonder if he'll ever speak here again." Dr. Horton's presence on the platform is quite the reminder that even the Campus Church must still pass "Ad Check." So much for the pastor being the leadership in the church. Who do you think would come out the winner in any disagreement between Dr. Horton and Pastor Schettler regarding the direction of the Campus Church? Usually, if you reduce it to those terms, most people get the point. ######################################################## The Student Voice is: Paul S. Perdue lupos Please feel free to voice your thoughts, stories, and opinions. Thank you for reading The Voice! ######################################################## THE STUDENT VOICE, PCC's alternative newsletter