In the case of the admission of a Muslim student to the Southwestern Seminary doctoral program in archeology, the question to ask is: What precedent has been set? Southwestern Seminary president Paige Patterson’s reason violates the mission of the seminary as a “school of the prophets.” Why are we admitting non-Christian students to the seminary? Seminary is specifically set aside as a training ground for ministry.

There is a further precedent here that is troubling. Do we want seminary presidents to have the ability to violate any policy they wish so long as they can justify it with theological excuses such as evangelism? If admissions policies may be violated for the sake of sharing the gospel with a practicing Muslim, what policy might be violated tomorrow for the sake of love, mercy or compassion? Which group opposing us in the culture would we choose to admit?

Let us remember that the Lord who had compassion on the woman caught in the act of adultery also formed a whip out of cords against those who abused His temple. Let us do evangelism through the churches and train ministers through the seminaries.

Tom Baker
Elko