M. Leary Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 (edited) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v52/i29/29a04001.htm Excerpts from the issue dated March 24, 2006 A College That's Strictly Different Secretive Pensacola Christian controls student life with tough regulations and unwritten rules By THOMAS BARTLETT Pensacola Christian College prides itself on being different, not just from secular colleges, but from fellow Christian ones, too. Some of those differences, like the way students dress, are obvious to any visitor. Others are not. Since its founding, more than 30 years ago, Pensacola has blossomed from a tiny Bible college into a thriving institution of nearly 5,000 students. Along the way it has become known as among the most conservative Edited April 1, 2006 by MLeary Quote "...the vivid crossing of borders between film and theology may save the film from the banality of cinema and festival business, and it may also save the church from the deep sleep of the habitual and the always known." (Hans Werner Dannowski) Filmwell | Twitter Link to post Share on other sites
BBBCanada Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Where do I sign up? Quote Brandon "God is so great and merciful that he does not require that we name him precisely. God is even willing to be anonymous for a time. Remember how God led the Three Wise Men from the East to Christ? The Wise Men did not know the God of Israel or Jesus. They worshipped the stars. So God used a star to lure them."--The Twelve Steps for Christians Link to post Share on other sites
BBBCanada Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 I'm wondering if this COLLEGE is the same as the INSTITUTE that is run by "Dr." Peter S. Ruckman who has been known to call those who disagree with him: jackass," "poor, dumb, stupid 'red legs,'" "silly asses, "apostolic succession of bloated egotists," "two-bit junkie," "two-faced, tin-horned punk," "some incredible idiot," "this bunch of egotistical jack legs," "conservative asses whose brains have gone to seed," "cheap, two-bit punks," "jacklegs," "stupid, little, Bible-rejecting apostates." Letter from a Ruckman imitator Hey, Dan down in Florida. If I were you, I'd leave Dodge man. I know I wouldn't last a minute in that environment. Quote Brandon "God is so great and merciful that he does not require that we name him precisely. God is even willing to be anonymous for a time. Remember how God led the Three Wise Men from the East to Christ? The Wise Men did not know the God of Israel or Jesus. They worshipped the stars. So God used a star to lure them."--The Twelve Steps for Christians Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Willson Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 I grew up in a commune with a fairly similar environment. It's been over 20 years, but that article still gave me chills. Man, I'm thankful to be free! Quote "Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts?" « Nous connaîtrions-nous seulement un peu nous-mêmes, sans les arts? » Quoted on Canada's $20 bill; from Gabrielle Roy's novel La montagne secrète. The English translation, The Hidden Mountain, is by Harry L. Binsse. Link to post Share on other sites
DanBuck Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Pensecola is worlds away from Orlando in virtually every sense. Practice Safe O.I.; wear contacts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattPage Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Only Dan Buck could come out with that one. What a great way to finish the day Matt Quote Bible Films Blog | Jesus Films Podcast | ReJesus | Faith and Film Critics Circle | Open Heaven Church Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Todd Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 I thought this was going to be a thread about Jesus' comments in the Sermon on the Mount. I went to a Bible college similar to this for five days. I'll tell you what I got out of it. They made me take a long Biblical Knowledge Survey that the ABHE puts out, and I scored in the 99th percentile. They were impressed, at first, but like my interaction with most, I got in several arguments, where I contradicted the college' doctrine to professors, and challenged several students worship of the Bible. Combine all this with my libertarian mind-set and lack of resilience, and I decided I better get out of there before I got in trouble. ::asthanos:: Quote "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." - Groucho Marx Link to post Share on other sites
BBBCanada Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Only Dan Buck could come out with that one. What a great way to finish the day Matt Exactly. Good one Dan. Having been involved in some distinctly odd "Christian" groups in years past, all I can do is echo Tim's post. things like this make me wonder how much certain "Christian" positions differ from some of the more radical Islamist ideologies. (I'm not joking!) My take: they're too similar for comfort. Yep. Greg Boyd echoed similar thoughts a few years ago on his discussion board. I think James Barr's book on fundamentalism is an excellent read concerning groups and movements who see themselves as "in" while others are on the "outside." Sad, sad, sad. On the Christian radio station up here in Detroit, the host of one of the talk shows had Fred Phelps wife on. She was just as vitrolic as Ruckman and Pensacola. One wonders if Christians should ENGAGE such closed minded people. The reasoning behind putting Ms. Phelps on was to "expose her." All I could do was cringe. There are so many ways to "expose" and interviewing her seemed to be "foolish arguing" and "throwing your pearls before swine" if you know what I mean. Quote Brandon "God is so great and merciful that he does not require that we name him precisely. God is even willing to be anonymous for a time. Remember how God led the Three Wise Men from the East to Christ? The Wise Men did not know the God of Israel or Jesus. They worshipped the stars. So God used a star to lure them."--The Twelve Steps for Christians Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Todd Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Hoxha gets a considerable amount of air time in the movie Inside Man, I'd say at least three minutes. Quote "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." - Groucho Marx Link to post Share on other sites
Clint M Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 (edited) Huh. I must say, I'm blind as to how many illegitimate eye children I've fathered. Of course, I wear glasses, so I'm assuming they aren't as safe as contacts. I blogged some thoughts on the article, as well as the underlying issue I find with such things. (Please realize I wrote this at 3 in the morning, so if it starts to sound non-sensical at one point, that's why.) Edited April 4, 2006 by Clint M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Todd Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Of course, I wear glasses, so I'm assuming they aren't as safe as contacts. Glasses are to optical intercourse what diaphrams are to actual intercourse. Especially if you wear military issued BCDs (Birth Control Device). Quote "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." - Groucho Marx Link to post Share on other sites
ruthie Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 An anecdote: Years ago, when my sister and I were in high school, my family took a trip to the beach one spring. We were looking at colleges and had heard of this great Christian school in Pensacola. We decided to visit it one day...on the way home from the beach...in tank tops and shorts with bikini straps peeking. They were very nice and considerate of us; I really respect the people who "dealt" with us for that. They gave us a tour without blinking, avoiding, accusing, or asking us to borrow their clothing. A couple of minutes through the tour, I remember asking, "Momma, is there a reason that everyone is dressed up?" The answer I got was, "I don't know..." When we got to the ice rink and were told that we would be allowed to wear coolots while ice skating, we figured it out. From there onward, the tour introduced us to a few of the rules. For what it's worth, because of their publishing company, the tuition is really low and the campus lovely. But we decided it wasn't the best place for us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Buckeye Jones Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Maoists sound like Stalinists sound like Enver Hoxha-ites sound like Peronistas... Indeed. I just live with Albanians, never in Albania--so ashervene may take more umbrage than me. Though, Hoxha might be more like the AV1611-ers than you would expect. After all, he abandoned the Soviets and the Maoists for being too liberal. Sort of like these fringe groups that cut themselves off from their most likely allies for not being strict enough. Anyone ever experience the AV1611 sub-culture? Whew, what a mess that made of some friendships my senior year of college. Quote I have Flickritis Link to post Share on other sites
SZPT Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Practice Safe O.I.; wear contacts. Huh. I must say, I'm blind as to how many illegitimate eye children I've fathered. Of course, I wear glasses, so I'm assuming they aren't as safe as contacts. Glasses are to optical intercourse what diaphrams are to actual intercourse. Call me kooky (and someone's gonna), but during that ether I fall into while driving more than 10 minutes I realized that you guys are wrong. Glasses and contacts would be the equivalent of Viagra and Cialis for the eyes, no? They keep you focused and continually ready to make "eye babies." In that instance, Bono always wearing shades is just smart thinking. He's keeping it in his pants and under tint. What an idealist. Quote My own drivel in 140 characters or less. Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Todd Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 SZPT, so you're saying that sunglasses are to optical intercourse what chastity belts are to sex? Quote "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." - Groucho Marx Link to post Share on other sites
SZPT Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 SZPT, so you're saying that sunglasses are to optical intercourse what chastity belts are to sex? Now you're seeing things my way! Quote My own drivel in 140 characters or less. Link to post Share on other sites
Clint M Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 SZPT, so you're saying that sunglasses are to optical intercourse what chastity belts are to sex? Now you're seeing things my way! In that case, is Cyclops from X-Men a case of an OI STD?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jason Bortz Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 I have binoculars strapped to my head at all times. The world has been populated by my ICBM progeny. Fear Me. 4, 8, 16, 23, 42 Quote [iNSERT SIGNATURE HERE] Link to post Share on other sites
BBBCanada Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Yes, but then there was this guy whose bionic eye could not only see farther -- and more detail -- than a human eye, he could also see in other parts of the spectrum such as infrared, which are normally invisible to you and I. Just think of what he was capable of! (Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo...sound effect for the bionic eye). Quote Brandon "God is so great and merciful that he does not require that we name him precisely. God is even willing to be anonymous for a time. Remember how God led the Three Wise Men from the East to Christ? The Wise Men did not know the God of Israel or Jesus. They worshipped the stars. So God used a star to lure them."--The Twelve Steps for Christians Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Todd Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 You know a lot of these Bible Colleges have rules that were reactionary to the 1950s and 60s, thus no goatees or beards, that is associated with beatniks. With this in mind, I think I have a clue as to where this rule comes from -- those X-ray glasses they used to sale in comic books from the 50s and 60s. I remember thinking as a kid, reading Dennis the Menace comics I picked up at a yard sale, "Man, if I could get me some of these x-ray glasses, I could see under women's blouses." Which was cool to me, because I grew up in the 80s, and the it's not like it is now. The raunchiest show I ever watched was the Golden Girls. Quote "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." - Groucho Marx Link to post Share on other sites
M. Leary Posted April 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Aha! I originally posted the whole article but had to trim it down as it was a major copyright violation. But I found it someone else who has violated the copyright with abandon, so by clicking this link you can read the whole thing. I really deserves to be read in its entirety, because much of the article I snipped deals with the unaccredited status of Bible Colleges. Quote "...the vivid crossing of borders between film and theology may save the film from the banality of cinema and festival business, and it may also save the church from the deep sleep of the habitual and the always known." (Hans Werner Dannowski) Filmwell | Twitter Link to post Share on other sites
MattPage Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 One of my sisters-in-law had a college roommate (late 60s) who started at Bob Jones. She transferred after the powers that be told her brother that he couldn't set foot on the campus unless he got his hair cut first. That was the last straw - there'd been many, many others. Didn't they know that Larry Norman had long hair? Matt Quote Bible Films Blog | Jesus Films Podcast | ReJesus | Faith and Film Critics Circle | Open Heaven Church Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Zarr Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Every time I log on, I think this topic header says, "Optional Intercourse." Quote Sara Zarr author, person. sarazarr.com Link to post Share on other sites
Clint M Posted April 24, 2006 Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 Funny... in recent weeks, I've come in contact with two grads from PCC. One had nothing but praise for the school (and called the "eye baby" thing silly), the other complained about those rules. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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