Religion

rug

(82,333 posts) Tue Jun 3, 2014, 11:49 AM Jun 2014

Failing the Faith Test

June 2, 2014
By Scott Jaschik

Many religious colleges strive to have presidents who reflect the faith of the college, but many others -- especially from denominations that are small -- have grown more flexible on the issue.

It appeared last month that Erskine College -- the only college affiliated with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, a branch of the Presbyterian faith that is closer in beliefs to the many evangelical Christian denominations than are other strands of the Presbyterian faith -- was on the verge last month of accepting its first non-Presbyterian president.

But the candidate, who is not known but sources said was the vice president of a Christian college, withdrew because of objections to his Baptist faith. While the college has had presidents who are not ARP members (as the Associate Reform Presbyterian branch is known), it has not had a non-Presbyterian.

Further complicating matters, the Erskine board chair resigned on Thursday, making it unclear who will decide how to proceed on a new search. A spokesman for the college said that no search plans had been announced, but that it was his understanding that the search would start fresh.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/06/02/erskine-struggles-find-president-who-meets-its-religious-requirements#sthash.dvwdCclF.dpbs

6 replies

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Failing the Faith Test (Original Post) rug Jun 2014 OP

I'm surprised they are accredited. Jim__ Jun 2014 #1

SACS is THE accrediting organizations in the south. cbayer Jun 2014 #2

I agree that accreditation should not be denied just because they have a religious mission. Jim__ Jun 2014 #4

Agree, but I don't think most religious schools do that. cbayer Jun 2014 #6

It did receive a Warning last year as a Public Sanction. rug Jun 2014 #3

That sounds like they're in trouble - which makes sense. Jim__ Jun 2014 #5

Jim__

(14,075 posts)

1. I'm surprised they are accredited.

Reply to rug (Original post)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 12:50 PM

Jun 2014

Erskine, a small liberal arts college and a seminary in Due West, S.C., has struggled for years over issues of how closely the college must adhere to a view of the world that treats the Bible as history and a guide to all academic subjects and campus conduct.

I wonder what kind of standing SACS has as an accrediting institution.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

2. SACS is THE accrediting organizations in the south.

Reply to Jim__ (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 12:55 PM

Jun 2014

There was recently an article about a college that is teaching creationism as science and how they could obtain accreditation (which they also have from SACS).

It's a good question, though I don't think any accreditation should be denied solely because a college has a religious mission.