Meredith Kreigh
Managing Editor
Since Bryan College was founded in 1930, there has never before been an attempt to modify the Statement of Belief as far as President Stephen Livesay is aware.
Now a clarification in terms of origins is being pursued. The full Board of Trustees, comprised of 17 members, has the power to amend Bryan College’s charter, by-laws and Statement of Belief.
Dr. Jud Davis, chair of the Christian Studies and Philosophy division, said he was involved shortly before the fall semester when the Board asked if they should change it or clarify it. Clarify, he said.
Questions have been whispered in classrooms and meetings over the past week about why now.
“To the best of my knowledge, this has nothing to do with internal conflict,” Livesay said.
There were a few questions raised about what the Statement of Belief actually means and whether or not Bryan College encourages belief in theistic evolution, he said.
The college has always been generous in freedom of thought. There have always been a number of positions on creation represented in the community. But recently there have been a lot of questions about theistic evolution, according to Davis.
These questions, raised over the past four to five years, have been asked by many people, Livesay said, including colleagues who have no connection with the school, parents of current students, and current and former students.
Livesay said that there has been an exceptional amount of complaints recently. Due to those complaints, he suggested to the Board within the past year that they might need to clarify.
Livesay stressed the importance of it being a clarification and not an actual change. A change would alter the current wording of the Statement of Belief. As far as he is aware, it might be a sidebar or a white page. It would simply be an explanation of the current statement.
Though that is how he understands it, Livesay equally stressed that the Board does have the authority to actually change the statement. Still, he does not believe that is what they want to do.
“This is their responsibility. I am not a policy maker. Regardless of their decision, I will carry it out,” Livesay said, keeping in mind that the Board of Trustees has received information that he has not.
Davis said people have to look at certain questions like “what does divine fiat mean?” and “what were biological precursors?”
“As far as Bryan College is concerned, the consensus is that the Statement of Belief meant what the founders meant it to mean.” Davis paused. “The problem is, they are all dead. But corporate wisdom has been to look at these giants in the past.”
“The framers excluded the view of biological precursors. It is out of accord with their beliefs. It has never been an issue because of one person, never a witch hunt, but it has been a concern,” Davis added.
According to Davis, there is a possible exception, called a good faith subscription. A good faith subscription allows someone to read the Statement of Belief, and if they cannot agree beyond a shadow of a doubt, they can submit their view to the Board for consideration. They may be allowed to stay, as long as their disagreement does not strike right at the heart of the issue.
Livesay said the Board would handle any of those.
When asked who had been consulted during examination of the current statement and consequences of any action, Livesay responded that the process is still underway, but they will reach out.
“I cannot comment on a timeline for when this will go into place, and the Board will discuss how to involve the student body,” Livesay said.
The biggest question, Davis said, is “As a community, what is it that we believe?”