Comments for an oxgoad, eh?

Comment on Whiplash by Brian

Brian — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:22:25 +0000

Okay, for all those prickly people out there, I’m just using catch phrases here with no undertones, overtones intended.
I find it interesting that over the past couple of months all of a sudden there are younger Patz family members coming out of the woodwork (read my first sentence please) to voice their praise and support of the new direction which NIU has been on for several years now. As you follow some of these men you find that they are entrenched in what NIU is becoming, evangelical. The grandsons, Daniel Patz and Don Sailer moved away from the moorings of fundamentalism that they received at NBBC and BJU (Don Sailer matriculated to BJU in 1981 as a sophomore). Daniel pastors an EFCA church which is itself part of the NAE, clearly a self-identified evangelical. There would be only one reason they would like what they see at NIU, it is looking like them, evangelical.
This has been so sad to witness.

Comment on Whiplash by ox

ox — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:12:23 +0000

Matthew,

Thank you for commenting. I haven’t been on the campus for some time, but the “spirit” of the students is no measure of a school and its spirituality.

In this piece I am expressing my opinions about what the recent shenanigans in Dunbar mean. However, I think I will now follow my friend Jeff’s advice and give it a rest. I am quite confident that bizarre things will continue to occur in the woods of Wisconsin.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Comment on Whiplash by Matthew Patz

Matthew Patz — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:51:58 +0000

Hey Don,
Whats are the reasons for a article like this? To inform or to bash a God-honoring ministry? Im assuming you have not been on the campus to realize how on fire the student body and faculty is. You worry about your ministry and whatever that consists of. Northland either way will be blessed by God even if that means that a blogger decides to spend his day gossiping about its decisions.

Comment on Whiplash by ox

ox — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:50:18 +0000

Fair enough Jeff. I assume that means you will no longer be commenting on any of the NI”U” threads on SI, right?

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer33.3

Comment on Whiplash by Jeff Straub

Jeff Straub — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:46:54 +0000

Ok, Don. Maybe it’s time to let NIU go. Until more facts are out, we really don’t know why happened. What is to be gained by pounding on them more? From the current status of things, they did what they had to to try to save the school. Things will never be the same. Let it go.

Comment on Whiplash by Robert

Robert — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:14:14 +0000

[comment deleted by editor]

Note: this poster used a fake email address. Who knows whether his/her name is Robert or Robin?

Comment on Whiplash by ox

ox — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:15:37 +0000

Well, I am not a fan of the intercollegiate sports, but I think they have done a few similar events prior to that one. We need to hold the leaders of the schools accountable, however, as alums and supporters. It isn’t a matter of being cranks, but being vocal. Schools are lost when their supporters remain concerned but mute.

Comment on Whiplash by Wally Morris

Wally Morris — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:11:06 +0000

Speaking about trial balloons, I wonder if BJUs “one-time-only” athletic game with Furman several years ago was a trial balloon for the start of its intercollegiate sports involvement. I remember that, at the time, the school strongly insisted that its Thanksgiving game with Furman was “one-time-only”. Apparently not.

Comment on Whiplash by T. Pennock

T. Pennock — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:47:30 +0000

Don,

I think it’s time for Les and friends to make a statement. And I think it’s also time for the evangelists and ministry teams associated with Northland to state their present relationship with the school.

TJP

Comment on Whiplash by Jon Gleason

Jon Gleason — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:38:58 +0000

So….

Howard Patz commended Matt Olson for “leading” the changes in philosophy and practice which Olson denied (for years) were happening.

He apologised for the confusion of the past ten days but not for the confusion of the past three years.

He said that Olson was terminated over finances / management, but board members resign over his reinstatement?

Ok, I guess.

So the chairman of Northland’s board will be an EFCA pastor. They said that the change from “Baptist” in the name wasn’t changing the school from a Baptist school, it was only to help international students. I wonder how many Baptist universities have an EFCA pastor as the chairman of their board. I have to admit I’m not knowledgeable on that front. Maybe there are some out there.