President Pollard: make a stand for mercy and call out injustice
We are writing to express our extreme disapproval over the selection of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to address the student body of John Brown University in chapel on February 2.
It is critical that the Evangelical community strongly denounce the hateful rhetoric which has become all too common in the political discourse in the United States during this past election cycle. Concerning such hateful rhetoric, two individuals stand out in particular: White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon and President Donald J. Trump.
Bannon is the former executive editor of Breitbart News. Under Bannon’s tenure, Breitbart News was criticized for publishing articles and features which were bizarrely bigoted towards women and Muslims.The ridiculous statements made by Trump are too numerous that it becomes difficult to decide
The ridiculous statements made by Trump are too numerous that it becomes difficult to decide which statements stand out as most absurd. However, Trump’s recent actions of endorsing torture and barring refugees fleeing war from entering the United States are contrary to the teachings of Scripture.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.” — Hebrews 13:2-3 NRSV.
Huckabee has conferred accolades on Bannon and endorsed Trump’s successful bid for the
presidency.In addition to championing these individuals, Huckabee himself is not a stranger to making such reprehensible comments. He once referred to Muslims as “uncorked animals.” Such dehumanization of fellow human beings is entirely unacceptable—especially coming from an
In addition to championing these individuals, Huckabee himself is not a stranger to making such reprehensible comments. He once referred to Muslims as “uncorked animals.” Such dehumanization of fellow human beings is entirely unacceptable—especially coming from an ordained minister such as Huckabee.Before the election, Andy Crouch, the executive editor of Christianity Today, wrote in an opinion piece:
Before the election, Andy Crouch, the executive editor of Christianity Today, wrote in an opinion piece:”Enthusiasm for a candidate like Trump gives our neighbors ample reason to doubt that we believe Jesus is Lord. They see that some of us are so self-interested, and so self-protective, that we will ally ourselves with someone who violates all that is sacred to us—in hope, almost certainly a vain hope given his mendacity and record of betrayal, that
“Enthusiasm for a candidate like Trump gives our neighbors ample reason to doubt that we believe Jesus is Lord. They see that some of us are so self-interested, and so self-protective, that we will ally ourselves with someone who violates all that is sacred to us—in hope, almost certainly a vain hope given his mendacity and record of betrayal, that his rule will save us.”
If the expressed purpose of chapel services at John Brown University is truly, as stated on the University’s website, to “grow together as a Christ-centered community committed to serving in the world as Jesus’ disciples,” Huckabee was the wrong selection.
While it is understandable that a university has an interest in fostering discussion and debate as a part of this country’s proud political tradition, at the very least, there were several other forums on campus that could have served as better venues to host Huckabee. Chapel never should have been one of them.
We call on John Brown University to show better discernment in the future regarding whom the University grants the honor of speaking in chapel.
- Morgan “Molly” Abbey, Class of 2012, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Matthew Abbott, Class of 2015, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Sarah Abbott, Class of 2016, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Brittni Allen, Class of 2011, Manchester, N.H.
- Anna Baker, Class of 2009, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- David Baker, Class of 2009, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Rachel Bannert, Class of 2014, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Meredith Bergstrom, Class of 2008, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Karli Boothe, Class of 2006, Arlington, Va.
- Laura Boyd McArthur, Class of 2008, Bentonville, Ark.
- Elissa Branum, Senior, History, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Charlie Brill, Class of 2009, Valparaiso, Ind.
- Seth Burgett, Class of 2014, Lowell, Ark.
- Stephen Carlson, Class of 2009, New York, N.Y.
- Brianna Clarke, Junior, Elementary Education, Dallas, Texas
- Kevin Clauson, Class of 2011, Lamar, Mo.
- Calli Clevinger, Class of 2015, Seattle, Wash.
- Rachel Cozmațchi (Johnson), Class of 2007, Dresden, Germany
- Sarah Davis, Class of 2010, Tulsa, Okla.
- Kelsey Eckelberry, Class of 2015, Overland Park, Kan.
- Javier Escalante, Class of 2004, Mexico City, Mexico
- Trace Faust, Class of 2007, Denver, Colo.
- Matt Feyerabend, Class of 2005, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Nathan Fields, Class of 2009, Nashville, Tenn.
- Nick Fields, Class of 2015, Tulsa, Okla.
- Alex Fitzgerald, Class of 2010, Springdale, Ark.
- Tara Friesen, Class of 2010, Omaha, Neb.
- Kacie Galloway, Class of 2016, Keller, Texas
- Tucker Gambill, Sophomore, History, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Alyssa Goddu, Class of 2016, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Emily (Halls) Jones, Class of 2006, Rotorua, New Zealand
- Jarod Hamm, Class of 2015, Green River, Utah
- Leah Hefner, Class of 2005, San Francisco, Calif.
- Hayley Hendren, Class of 2013, Bentonville, Ark.
- Zachary Hersha, Prospective Student, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Alan Hill, Class of 2009, Tulsa, Okla.
- Joshua Hixson, Class of 2008, Tulsa, Okla.
- Rebecca (Holland) Geitgey, Class of 2006, San Diego, Calif.
- Deborah Holland Meng, Class of 2008, Saint Louis, Mo.
- Oscar Ibarra, Class of 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Grant Jones, Sophomore, Construction Management, Bentonville, Ark.
- Emily (Emma) Kalka, Class of 2007, Seoul, South Korea
- Carolyn Kennedy, Class of 2008, King George, Va.
- Haley Kurtz, Class of 2014, Stillwater, Okla.
- Mackenzee Lance, Sophomore, History and English, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- John Lauderdale, Class of 2016, Addison, Texas
- Jacob Little, Class of 2009, San Francisco, Calif.
- Pepe Lopez, Class of 2008, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Ariel Lyon, Class of 2016, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Ginger Macfarlan, Class of 2013, Bentonville, Ark.
- Alexa McGriff, Class of 2010, Centerton, Ark.
- Kyle Mathis, Class of 2009, Chicago, Ill.
- Stefan Merciez, Class of 2010, Fort Collins, Colo.
- Alyssa Milroy, Class of 2010, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Rebecca Miska, Class of 2008, Tulsa, Okla.
- Emily Moberly, Class of 2008, San Diego, Calif.
- Jennifer Newell, Class of 2006, Bentonville, Ark.
- Jessa Parette, Class of 2011, Bentonville, Ark.
- Felicia (Parmain) Caflin, Class of 2006, Kalispell, Mont.
- Jennifer Paulsen Martin, Class of 2007, Seattle, Wash.
- Christa Petersen, Class of 2011, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Sarah Pollack, Class of 2005, Little Rock, Ark.
- Isaac Pruden, Class of 2015, Seattle, Wash.
- Benjamin Rasmussen, Class of 2007, Denver, Colo.
- Amanda Reeder Evans, Class of 2008, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Kendra (Rehner) Fokakis, Class of 2007, Hattiesburg, Miss.
- Joanna Rhoden, Class of 2011, Rowlett, Texas
- Sarah Rieke, Class of 2016, Dallas, Texas
- Matthias Roberts, Class of 2013, Seattle, Wash.
- Adam Rohde, Class of 2007, Dallas, Texas
- Sherrie Rohde, Class of 2007, Marina del Rey, Calif.
- Kendra Smith (Chester), Class of 2013, Fort Collins, Colo.
- Matthew Smith, Class of 2010, Glendale, Calif.
- David Szczepanik, Class of 2010, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Heather Tiller, Class of 2013, Tyler, Texas
- Amy (van Ettinger) Templer, Class of 2007, Riga, Latvia
- Jessica Varner, Class of 2015, Springfield, Mo.
- Amber Vogts, Class of 2010, Wichita, Kan.
- Becky Watts, Class of 2016, Maumelle, Ark.
- Laura Wheeler, Class of 2010, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Julia Willhite, Class of 2015, Olathe, Kan.
- Daniel Wolfe, Class of 2008, Arvada, Colo.
- Paul Yu, Class of 2009, Dallas, Texas
- Gustavo Zavala, Senior, Marketing, Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Lydia Zumack, Class of 2005, Houston, Texas
- Martha Zumack, Class of 2009, Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Letter to the editor: Huckabee seeks to ‘engage in healthy and open dialogue’