Editor’s Note: The following article is a reprinted version, with minor stylistic edits, of a note the author posted elsewhere. It is reprinted here with the author’s permission.
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“The whole idea of a stereotype is to simplify. Instead of going through the problem of all this great diversity – that it’s this or maybe that – you have just one large statement; it is this.”
-Chinua Achebe (Novelist, Poet, Professor)
“We can rarely see things from the point of view of another person because we look at the facts through the screen of an impression or an interest which distorts our view; and then there are accusations, quarrels and misunderstandings.”
-Barry Long (Philosopher, Teacher)
“We fight amongst ourselves,
We obliterate ourselves, yeah, yeah.”
-Pennywise (Melodic Skate Punk Band)
Dear Erskine Community and Affiliates,
As a rising Sophomore at Erskine College, it has come to my attention that several false accusations concerning the intent of Students Aligned for a Faithful Erskine (SAFE) have arisen in lieu of the decision by the ARP Synod to create a formal Commission to investigate the commitment of Erskine’s faculty and administration to Jesus Christ, and if a proper implementation of the “ARP Philosophy of Higher Christian Education” exists. Along with these false accusations are many misconceptions about the various individuals who agree with SAFE. What are these false accusations and misconceptions I speak of? They accuse SAFE of not wanting non-Christian students at Erskine College. They characterize the supporters/editors of SAFE as naïve students who are being maliciously directed behind the scenes by ARP ministers and non-Erskine students. They seem to have the erroneous impression that SAFE desires a Bob Jonsian culture of strict rules and regulations. Lastly, there are those who view SAFE of being nothing more than “silly/misguided/cultish students” and legalists confined to a specific cultural niche. This information has come to me by way of YouTube, personal conversations, letters on the “In Defense of Erskine College” blogger page, and a Facebook group called Alumni For Erskine-A Christian Liberal Arts College. For the sake of clarity, the majority individuals in the Facebook group or on the “In Defense of Erskine College” blogger page have not accused SAFE of anything that I have mentioned; I would cautiously venture to say that many of the members simply joined the Facebook group because of its name without actually researching what the group promotes. Having said these things, I proudly claim Erskine College as my own and vigorously support the efforts of SAFE.
Before I go on, some proper introductions are in order. My name is Brandon Kai Oberle’ or simply “Oberle“, as most call me. I agree with the concerns of SAFE, support the Synod’s decision to investigate Erskine, and truly desire academic excellence. I served as Freshman Class President for the class of 2012, participated in the Midnight chalking protest, played in the Sinfonia, was accepted into the Euphemian Literary Society, and will serve as the Dead Philosophers Society President for my Sophomore year. What else is there? Should I talk about how I legalistically view any non-Christian who’s unfortunate enough to cross my path? Or perhaps my unrequited love for the ideals and practices of Bob Jones University? I know! I’ll let you in on how my super neat Christian friends and I poke fun at other so-called Christian students who don’t live their lives exactly like we do!!! Well, the only problem is that I’m the complete opposite of that, and none of my friends fit this stereotyped Christian caricature I just portrayed. It’s funny how people who want their college professors to uphold inerrancy of Scripture in the classroom are labeled as fanatical legalists. Anyway, let me tell you a bit more about myself. I’m part Hawaiian/Japanese, throw a little German/English/Scotch-Irish in there for good measure; and I enjoy attending concerts ranging from Punk artists to Classical composers. (Let’s not forget about those occasional Metal shows either!) I plan on doing an independent J-Term class (the specific topic/purpose has not been determined yet) by journeying to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival with a friend of mine who worked on a short film, “Civil”, that will be premiering there. I am neither a legalistic nor misguided youth. I am not in a “group of silly students” as Gregory F. Guzauskas accuses SAFE of being on the “In Defense of Erskine” blogger site. I also regularly attend services at a Reformed church. Several students at Erskine and past high school administrators mistakenly assumed that I was a extreme liberal or a social deviant of some type. I suppose this is due to my style of clothing or personal interests/political stances. Lastly and most importantly, I am a Reformed Evangelical Christian, saved only by the precious Grace of God, who cherishes the revealed fact that God is Sovereign over His entire creation.
I can also assure you that the supporters of SAFE are likewise courageously speaking their minds on different issues confronting Erskine. We are NOT puppets of some secret agenda under the control of “former Erskine staff/faculty” as David Dangerfield suggests on the Alumni For Erskine Facebook group. Have we voiced our concerns to ARP Synod? Yes. Have they responded to our petition and letters? By the Grace of God, yes! SAFE, the petition, and the letters written by students on SAFE are all student based. I challenge anyone to find evidence of SAFE supporters suggesting or promoting strict regulations for students attending Erskine. None will be found. It should also be noted that the goals of the petition letter and SAFE will NOT lead to a “Bob Jones culture” of legalism as one writer suggests on the “In Defense of Erskine” Blogger site. Faith actively and uniquely being integrated into every aspect of education by every professor in the totality of an Erskine education CANNOT lead to legalism. Truth does not lead to Legalism and Scriptural Christianity is truth; therefore, Scriptural Christianity does not lead to Legalism. In summary, every individual associated with simply cannot be stereotyped into one tiny social group attempting to raise false alarm, and that ALL who are speaking out on the SAFE website are unique individuals; it should also be noted that anyone who reads the letters and finds a tone of legalism is deliberately wanting to find legalism because of a personal bias against the clearly articulated position of SAFE.
I know what you might be thinking right now, “Well isn’t the SAFE group stereotyping the Erskine faculty and administration!!!”, but that is simply not the case. My experiences as a Freshman at Erskine College all lead to the startling conclusion that the Erskine administration and faculty, as a whole, is not committed to Christ. It is true that certain professors perfectly integrate faith and education properly; Dr. Weatherman is one such astounding professor, but the vast majority does not. Read the letters of concern on the SAFE website for a significant amount of substantiation for my assertion concerning the Erskine administration. As for our cause being labeled as judgment based off of impressions or a preconceived notion, that is simply incorrect as well. Many students have consistently seen commitment to Christ marginalized by the Erskine Administration, and have even witnessed inerrancy of Scripture attacked within the classroom. I did not want to believe at first but the evidence is overwhelming; Erskine is in dire need of assistance.
Lastly, I will address several YouTube user comments I read while watching the Erskine Student video. This video can be easily accessed by going to the SAFE website or going to YouTube and typing in “Erskine Student.” This video features several students voicing their concerns on the current situation at Erskine. I was shocked when I read the user comments located in the YouTube comment section. User EbenezerErskine writes, “Shame on you students for doing this. I know you are being coached by some “behind the scene” administrators, ARP preachers, and Professors and I KNOW WHO THEY ARE.” As I have stated before, we are not being coached behind the scenes; our thoughts are our own. User Jaimeg05 writes, “I don’t have words for how disappointing this video is to me. One student here feels called as a missionary, but doesn’t want a non-Christian to be in her class? Also, at what point did it become ok fora student/group of students to decide whether or not other students and professors are Christian? What are the indicators of someone who is holy enough? I feel sick to my stomach when viewing this, but mostly just sad because of the ignorant, elitist comments being associated with Erskine.” Apparently user Jaimeg05 knows something about one of the female students that was not stated by either of them in the video by saying, “One student here feels called as a missionary, but doesn’t want a non-Christian to be in her class.” Neither of them referred to themselves as a “missionary.” As far as not wanting non-Christians in the class, no such statement was made. The concern was voiced that the Erskine administration was shifting their admissions and advertisement focus to non-Christians because they are fearful that God will not provide Christian students who want to attend. It was merely a critique of an overall trend that is being seen at Erskine in its totality. Let us not read into statements made by individuals to mean something that they were clearly not intending to say.
And once again, the students in the video were not judging the personal relationship between Christ and any one person. They were simply stating the fact that faith is not being properly integrated into the classroom, the administration is not trusting in Christ for sustenance, and that the administration, on a formal legislative and executive level, is not showing true commitment to Christ. User BoSoxCubs61 writes, “Find real purpose in your life by living in the real world and quit shutting others out. Douchebags, hopefully if the cult thing you want works out you will drink the kool-aid first.” Let me first say that anyone who truly cares about Erskine should not resort to petty insults or character assassination. The concerns of SAFE are certainly based in the real world. Erskine College is an academic institution charged with upholding the “ARP Philosophy of Education” which does not coincide with what the secular world holds to be a proper education. And let me say this, I am not affiliated with a cult. SAFE is not composed of a small cultural clique. There are several other similar YouTube comments that contain the same content of the ones cited here.
Having said these things, I would greatly encourage everyone involved with Erskine to seek the truth, gather concrete facts before making accusations, and not resort to political mud slinging because of a personal impression or bias. I encourage every Erskine student to engage their peers in civil discussion, regardless of worldview/personality/perceived cultural background, concerning the current situation at Erskine. And why not just take the time to chill with some of the individuals who have written for SAFE? You might just have a good time! “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”-Romans 1:16-17
We are here
And we are not silent.
Trusting in Scripture and Jesus Christ,
Brandon Kai Oberle’
Former Freshman Class President 2012
Dead Philosophers Society President
Ephemian Literary Society member
Symphonia member
Young Conservatives member