I was given permission to post an editorial piece written by Dr. Carl Ruby, Vice President of Student Life, that appeared in the on-campus newspaper, Cedars. As I wrote earlier in an update to my original post, a number of events coagulated last week to cause Dr. Ruby to (momentarily) pull the plug on a Shane Claiborne visit. There was a concerted effort to sully the school and leadership on the part by radical watchbloggers and reactionary conservatives, and Dr. Ruby felt the timing was not right for Shane to come. Afterwards he wrote these words of instruction to the student body. Great words of encouragement in the midst of a crazy situation.

(Also, I’m waiting on word to post an excellent letter he sent to faculty and staff. Posting that should clear up a lot of confusion…)

Some Random Reflections on Living as an Ordinary Radical

Last summer I saw a college student from another university reading a book with a strange cover by an author that I’d never heard of. The author was Shane Claiborne and the book was The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. The student allowed me to thumb through the book and pretty soon, I was caught up in a story that disturbed and convicted me. Allow me to reflect on some random things that I’ve learned in my interactions with Shane Claiborne, and my recent decision to cancel his lecture on campus.

• For all of my adult life I’ve been a part of an evangelical group who pride ourselves on our high view of the scriptures. We defend its inspiration, its authority, and its inerrancy as we should. But sometimes we can get so distracted talking about how much we value Scripture that we forget to obey it. Shane’s book forced me to reflect on the relationship between my faith and my works (See James 2:14-19)…particularly as it relates to following Christ’s example of ministry to the poor and destitute. I must admit I’m a better believer in Jesus than I am a follower.
• Choosing up sides is a human tendency and a reflection of our sinful nature. Paul chided the believers in Corinth for choosing sides around certain Christian leaders (“I follow Paul” or” I follow Apollos”). He begged them to take their eyes off of Christian celebrities and to unite around the person of Jesus Christ (I Cor 1:10-13). Lets’ not be defined by our allegiance to Shane Claiborne, Dallas Willard, John Piper, D.A. Carson, or anyone else. Let’s be Christians who are known first and foremost for being people of Jesus.
• I need to think more carefully about my political values. I fear that I have allowed my party affiliation to shape how I interpret some of the words of Christ more than I have allowed the words of Christ to shape my political opinions. I thank people like Shane for reminding me of this.
• Doctrinal statements aren’t enough when it comes to deciding whom we can partner with in ministry. They are important, but they are not enough. James noted that demons can have correct doctrine (James 2:19). Some of the blogs that are attacking us with information that they know to be false have doctrinal statements almost identical to ours. Doctrine is important but we must also rely on the presence or lack of Christian virtues like humility, compassion, kindness, joy, truthfulness, and gentleness in deciding whom we can partner with in ministry (Galatians 5:22-26; 2 Cor. 6:6; Ephesians 4:2; Col. 3:12-15).
• Shane thinks that many young people are turning away from Christianity, not because we have made it too hard but because we have made it too easy; not because discipleship demands too much but because we’ve let it demand too little. His advice; “Choose Jesus and do something daring with your life.” Good advice!
• My last reflection is this: Cedarville students are phenomenal. Your grace, kindness and gentleness remind me of Jesus and make me want to partner with you for the rest of my life.