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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.

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Transcript:

“One recent change that Erskine College has made is the motto,* from “Christian Commitment and Excellence in Learning” to “Forever Connected.” The Administration has said that the reason for this change is to appeal more to high school juniors and seniors, but my question is, “What’s wrong with the motto that we already had for years that appealed to Christian students?” This new motto seems to be more secular, open to a broader pool of students, who may be non-Christians as well, which would completely change the Christian environment on Erskine’s campus if more and more non-Christian students, are interested and accepted to Erskine.

This worries me because I see it as Erskine standing not really on a basis of faith in God and trust that if they remain a Christ-centered institution seeking Christ-centered students that God will provide for them and take care of them. Rather, they are standing on a basis of fear of worldly circumstances that are temporal and, we as students can only do so much, so that’s why we are appealing to you for some help. We hope that you will be willing to step up and help us.”

Clarification by Ashley Waldmeyer:

While it is true that I expressed my concerns for a potential increase in population of non-Christian students on Erskine campus, my intention in doing so was not to call for Erskine to deny all non-Christian students admission to the institution.  And I certainly do not want Erskine to become “Bob Jones II.” That would involve changing the entire Erskine environment–the same one which contributed heavily to my wonderful Erskine experience.  I believe that a Christ-centered Erskine can and should demonstrate the love of Christ and model the Gospel to non-Christian students!

My concern was and is that Erskine seems to be acting in fear by adopting a more secular approach to Admissions in order to simply bring in larger numbers of students in general in order to make it through these difficult financial times, rather than relying on God and giving Him the control by marketing Erskine in accordance with its mission.  If Erskine is truly a Christ-centered institution, it should be demonstrating that by putting its trust in God first.

Ashley Waldmeyer
Erskine College Class of 2009

*Editor’s Note: As noted in a response to an FAQ, the College’s official motto is “Knowledge joined with morals.” (For an FAQ page dealing with the terminology surrounding discussion of “Forever Connected”, see “SAFE’s goals and positions.”) “Christian commitment and Excellence in Learning” is derived from the 1991 Overarching Mission Statement for EC/ETS and has been the advertising slogan used by Admissions most recently until now, as one of the student letters noted. It is important to point out that when the new Admissions slogan was first unveiled it did not occur with the full line – “Forever Connected – Christ, Learning, and Life” – that the Vice-President for Enrollment Management suggested would be used at the Student Forum. That, combined with the generally fuzzy understanding of the Christian liberal arts presented by Admissions, caused the level of concern among some students that came out in certain letters and in Ms. Waldmeyer’s comments.