Cornerstone University: Staff Can Now Drink Alcohol; Students Outta Luck

Posted on November 23, 2009
Viewed 2077 times
(31) comments

Cornerstone University is lifting a ban on faculty and staff alcohol use that has stood since the institution was founded 68 years ago.

According to the Grand Rapid News, President Joe Stowell told Cornerstone’s 279 employees at a staff meeting Friday that alcohol abstinence — a component of a lifestyle statement that had to be signed every year — is being dropped because a three-year internal study concluded it is “biblically indefensible.”

“Given scripture’s lack of a prohibition against use of alcohol in moderation, we are releasing our faculty and staff to discern what is best for them concerning its use in their personal lives,” said Stowell, in his second year as the university’s president.

The change doesn’t apply to students, who remain banned from using alcohol.

Faculty and staff are being told to avoid using alcohol in any setting where students are present. Cornerstone will continue to ban alcohol on campus and at all university-sponsored events, Stowell said.

As some of you know, I grew up GARBC (General Association of Regular Baptist Churches). Cornerstone used to be one of the GARBC approved schools. Joe Stowell's father was a leader in the GARBC as well. I'm sure that much will be made of this decision on many of the Baptist blogs. That's ok.

Cornerstone has long been the outsider in those Baptist circles. I mean, they dropped the ban on student dancing back in 2004. ICABOD is written on the door! (Haven't heard that phrase in a while)

You can read more here...

So... what do you think? Good or bad move to ok alcohol for faculty and staff at a Christian college? Shouldn't we drop any rule that is 'biblically indefensible'?

I'd love to hear your comments...

Todd

Comments

if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, your picture will displayed on any website that supports gravitars.

Ryan Plantz on Sat, November 28, 2009

I applaud Cornerstone in making this decision. I went to Moody Bible Institute and was there during Stowell’s last few years. Moody went through a similar ‘shucking’ of unnecessary rules and regulations (khaki pants and collared shirts at all times, no movie theaters, etc.) during his tenure. I hope they maintain the ban on alcohol for students though. I’m retrospectively grateful for that ban during my time at Moody.

And for all of you PBR haters - that stuff is fantastic. Drink of the people, I say.
PG on Wed, December 02, 2009

I was there when the first shovel of dirt was turned for the Cornerstone campus. It’s come “a long way baby”. There is nothing in me that has not been fulfilled that a good ole “drink” would provide that ultimate level of fulfillment. Tried years ago when the “Christian liberty” wave swept the country to begin to enjoy alcohol and smoking. I miserably failed at both. Just couldn’t find enough culture to keep it up.

I finally came to the realization that when I left the womb I cried for milk and not alcohol. I was not born into a culture that used alcohol as a cultural beverage. I was born into a culture that had horrible devistation from alcohol abuse and had produced generations of broken lives as many had followed the road to their destruction and early deaths. As a testimony to the power of God to provide joy and contentment, although the Scriptures do not prohibit it, I would just as soon defer it’s use and continue to enjoy the many contentments of life that God has provided to me.

You will also notice that I didn’t mention my bootlegging/alcoholic grandfather who died from stomach cancer, cousins that struggle with alcoholism, and a sister that should still be with our family apart from cutting her life short with alcohol abuse. There are ways to consider these issues without running to the horrible extremes of the hurts in many families in our culture.
Steve Long on Wed, December 02, 2009

Jesus came to save the world from eternal death, not alcohol. The first miracle in John is Jesus turning water into wine and it turns out he was an excellent vintner. We have wrapped the Good News in so many rules (out of misguided good intentions) that some who might otherwise be interested in following Jesus get distracted by the non-issues that we have raised to critical issue status. I know that lives are ruined by alcohol use but lives are ruined by overeating, and careless driving, and bad investments too. Instruction in l Cor. helps us to recover our fellowship in the Spirit even though our sentiments on alcohol may vary. It is possible for one to be set against alcohol use and be indwelt by the same Spirit that dwells in another who sees no spiritual problem with it. Both parties are not to leverage their positions against the other and they are to consider the frailty of the other as they exercise their freedom or constraint.
We cannot protect people from themselves but we can point them to the Heavenly body shop when they are wrecked by THEIR choices. It is interesting that we want to put boundaries around people that God will not erect, don’t drink, don’t smoke don’t use pottie mouth. Colossians 2 puts it this way, ” 20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” The key point is that external disciplines look great and seem righteous but they cannot repair our fatal flaw, rebellion. It is within God’s power to prevent everyone on this planet from ever touching a drop of alcohol.. and yet He does not. He must think that our freedom to choose is a very important blessing..so important that He will not interfere with our choice to destroy ourselves.
Paul Mitchell on Thu, December 03, 2009

Steve, I agree with your comments and I think you are “spot on” with your Scriptural application from Colossians 2. It is interesting to note that the working out of many who come to Christ with a past of alcohol us try to put that away from them as a new believer, and I am not sure it is because they are badgered by believers to be done with it.

The “liberty” issue made a sweep in the 80’s with a lot of teaching on it. Our church was not missed by it. In looking back now I remember many men taking up the use of tobacco and some began to go to the state store to purchase their jugs of wine. I am not sure the teaching of Paul was to encourage believers to start up recreational activities that the world many times seeks to do away with as new believers. What he was pointing out was that a new believer is “free” for the first time in his life to serve Christ in ways that he was bound and unable to in the past. Free to run to Christ and be bound to him in love and obedience…not begin to run to the things of the world and try this thing and that thing because they were “forbidden” in the past by church covenants and other institutional preferences. Are we free to try this and that thing? Sure we are. Maybe it’s the immaturity or the novelty of having the “chains” removed that makes the dog run like a crazy man for a time,not sure. But I hope like you said that they don’t destroy themselves and become enslaved in the process. Let’s hope that there is as much a “cutting edge” distinction in what they do for Christ and the quality of their walk with Christ as there was in their uniqueness by what they didn’t do with the rest of the world.
rbud on Thu, December 03, 2009

Many fine comments here, but I think most are off-point to the issues facing Cornerstone. It’s easy to point out that alcoholism is a destructive force, and that we would not want to contribute our monies to it. But then, that same litmus can be applied to so many common issues. Should we give our money to toy manufacturers’ greed and dishonesty. Should we contribute to the wealth of clothing manufacturers who abuse workers around the world. Should we purchase electricity from coal burning that polutes our rivers and air, and poisons our children with mercury, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. And while on a roll, let’s not overlook abuse of prescription drugs, obesity issues and TV programming. And so on.

In our community is a family that moved in only a couple years ago, and who, after some trial and searching, found a church here they liked and wanted to become a part of. These are good, Christian people, with strong Christian values and healthy lifestyles. That church pastor refused to allow them to join that church because they drink wine with their evening meals. They are not prone to intoxication, do not drink socially, not even a beer after a hot golf game.

To me, this is wrong thinking on the part of that pastor. It’s putting externals above internals, putting Pharisean-like rules above spiritual character. It’s the kind of thing about which Jesus often criticized.

For Cornerstone, they have a dual, and sometimes conflicting, responsibility. One is to their students. To ban alcohol for students is a responsible, appropriate action, in line with their responsibilities to their students and students’ families. The other is to their declared values, and their faculty, who are in themselves responsible, conscientious adults, able to make their own decisions on such matters.

I would find no problem if Cornerstone banned alcohol from faculty as a matter of consistent policy toward alcoholic consumption in general. However, I find no problem with allowing alcohol by non-student adults, either.

I don’t drink alcohol myself, but I am not bothered by those who do, short of intoxication, and personally prefer not to be around social drinking environments. But, alcoholic beveridge consumption by itself is not a spiritual issue, certainly not a Biblical issue. It’s an issue of lifestyle, culture and personal judgement.

In my view, Cornerstone has taken a reasonable approach to their issues, without compromising their values or sensibilities.
Leonard on Thu, December 03, 2009

A couple thoughts. First, for those who think this is a double standard, something is missing. It is not a double standard but rather two different standards. A double standard would be the application of the same rule two or more different ways, multiple standards is multiple rules. Students and faculty are not equals in this matter. They do not possess the same function, responsibility or maturity. They do not have the same standard.

Second, when we prohibit what God does not prohibit or push what God does not push we run the risk of becoming legalistic. Truth be told, I never needed someone else’s rules about drinking alcohol because I obeyed what God said. (do not get drunk) People who are willing to violate what God says don’t really care that much about what man’s rules are.

My birth father was a drunk, not because some institution didn’t have strict enough rules but because he refused to follow God’s instruction.

I went to a college that did not allow playing cards, rock music, movies in the theater, dancing, drinking any alcohol or certain clothing to be worn during certain time frames. While there I followed these rules joyfully because I agreed to follow them. My commitment was not to those rules but to God and keeping my word. When I could no longer follow these rules in good conscience, I left.

I wonder what would happen if we discipled people to simply do what God says because they love God.
Joseph Yunik on Fri, December 04, 2009

I am very disappointed regarding this decision by Cornerstone. Did Jesus turn water in alcoholic beverages? Would Jesus be associated with a beverage that is destroying lives, marriage, homes, and many in society? I grew up with my father being an alcoholic, I have seen young people die from drinking too much. I hardly understand a decision that will eventually bring harm to many people
Paul Mitchell on Fri, December 04, 2009

You know, juice that is left to ferment like the juice in Christ’s day did not turn into the commercial wine that we have today. Today’s stuff is probably more potent that that in olden times. Just the same they didn’t have any way to preserve their fruit juices, so left to themselves they began to turn till the appropeiate alcohol level was reached and the process stopped.

The issue is not the alcohol,we will all choose to either partake or not like with many other issues in life. Sex is fantastic, in marriage. If we choose to disregard God’s ways, we will bring destruction on ourselves and many others. But using it God’s way is wonderful! Food is God ordained, but used with indescretion, and we will become over sized and self destruct. Do we abastain from foods due to those who abuse it….no way. Death is not a way to show we will not take part in food abuse. We eat with appropriate appetites and proper portions. We can even skip a meal. We also can not take part in sexual relations with our mates for a time is we wish, we also can drink in moderation or just have water, for this is neither commanded nor prohibited by the Lord…just the abuse is spoken to.

I think you will find that those with family backgrounds with alcohol abuse will respond with more viscerally than those with cultural usage of alcohol. It is also interesting that the USA is the only country with this controversy among believers due to the Prohibition and the polarization that took place before and after that period in our history, and the legalism that ensued to codify certain bahavious among more conservative christian denominations.
Dan Currie on Wed, December 16, 2009

I am a pastor and had three kids graduate from Cornerstone. I am glad for the education that they received and the Christian environment that the school provided for them in those critical years. I am against the new freedom of allowing staff to drink and feel that total abstinence from drinking alchohol is biblically defensible. I would encourage you to study scholars who have identified the “dual view of wine” in the Bible. How can God condemn and commend something? The dual view answers that question by stating that “yayin” or “oinos” can mean either grape juice or fremented drink. When the Bible condemns it (Prov. 15:1, 23:20-21,, 23:29-35) then it is refering to alcoholic beverage and when it commends it then it is grape juice. This sounds very simplistic but check your Webster;s dictionary (1887) and the Greek and Hebrew lexicons. Wine can mean either juice or fremented drink. in both biblical languages and in old English. If one wants to take the view of moderation because of their hermeneutics that is their opinion but do not state that it is biblically indefensible. There are many practical reasons for total abstinence but I stand on that position because of my understanding and interpretation of Scripture. I have only seen great harm in the ministry because of alcohol. It is a poisionous drug (Pr9ov. 23:32) and why would you want to risk your testimony and life with something that can be avoided. I know this is not the popular opinion for today but I would be glad to talk to anyone about by defensible position.
Steve Long on Wed, December 16, 2009

Dan,
In the first miracle of John Jesus turns wine to water. The wine is taken to the master of the banquet and he judges it to be spectacular. His comment was to the effect that the best wine was usually served first followed by the inferior wine. The reason is plain, after the guests are a bit lubricated they are not so picky. It seems here that the wine Jesus made was alcoholic.
Also, the reason that new wine is put in new wineskins is because the skins are stretched in the fermentation (production of alcohol) process and skin will only stretch so much before it reaches it’s stretch limit and bursts. Thus, new wine is not put in old wineskins.
David says in Psalms 104 of God, ” 14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate� bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
Grape juice does not ‘gladden the heart’ but a little (alcoholic) wine can have that effect and here wine is spoken of as a blessing from God.
Your point is well taken that there is more in scripture of warning about the follies of wine and it in excess but isn’t that true in every thing, food, sexual appetites. So the prudent course of action is…everything in moderation. I think that following Jesus is a matter of wisdom and moderation in things that the scripture does not forbid.
Peter Hamm on Thu, December 17, 2009

Dan writes [When the Bible condemns it (Prov. 15:1, 23:20-21,, 23:29-35) then it is refering to alcoholic beverage and when it commends it then it is grape juice. ] I just want to add to what Steve says above. Frankly, the “dual view of wine” argument might be the sloppiest exegesis I’ve ever seen.
PG on Thu, December 17, 2009

Steve, you are correct with your thoughts. Why do we in the States heve this pathos with understanding the correct teachings of Scripture toward alcohol. Why in fact do we struggle with either defending or negating the teachings when as far as I can discern, no other countries have this controversy in Christian circles. It is a given that Christians are not to be drunken or alcoholics. To follow in that lifestyle and habitual addiction is to call in question the very assurance that one is a child of God. Is it due to our past history with the prohibition and the WDTU type of organizations and the issues that many fundamental denominations had with the lifting of the ban on alcohol production .

There is a possiblity of a predisposition to alcoholism due to the chemical response in some people. That is why you cannot begin to partake and feel that you have the liberty to do so. You need to realize that bondage can come to anyone with any legitimate function. Idolatry can be found there as well. So before we say “yippee” I can drink, we need to check our motives, check our family history and take it easy. My thought is “I never needed (really needed) it in the past, why start now and add something to my life that has the potential to destroy me? I do have alcoholism in my family past so that puts a big caution beacon flashing in my soul.
PG on Thu, December 17, 2009

Peter, I think you have a good point there. I just wonder why the struggle with all this. Is it an issue with godly believers in other cultures, or are we alone in this issue of seeking to read the culture into the context? Do we have such a high view of ourselves that we think other true godly men and women just don’t understand the matter and can’t grapple with issues like we can and do?
David Peterson on Tue, December 22, 2009

Peter wrote: “Frankly, the ‘dual view of wine’ argument might be the sloppiest exegesis I�ve ever seen.”

Amen. A sad abuse of Scripture. Such a clear case of negating biblical teaching to uphold a man-made cultural taboo.
Anonymous� on Wed, December 23, 2009

Many times we make minor issues major ones� and major issues minor ones�
In doing this we fail to give the Holy Spirit His job in leading and convicting us of truths� As a Bible student, it saddens me that many are torn on rather it�s biblical to or not drink alcoholic beverages. Many are 100% against it but are quiet on the consumption of coffee and energy drinks.
IMO there�s nothing wrong with having a glass of wine or cold beer� as long as it�s not done in excess�but done in moderation� The Bible speaks against gluttony and that covers all areas of life.