It seems to me that any mention of BJU stirs up deep feelings among those who discuss it. And it usually relates to their rules and policies, including their old prohibition of interracial dating. The fact that they are in Greenville, South Carolina probably enhances the confusion.
I'd say that the alumni I've personally met from there haven't done much to enhance my image of the school, both doctrinally or socially. My roomate in college, who transferred from there, found himself in a group of students who apparently didn't really want to be there, and who had a corrupting effect. He also questioned the academic quality of the courses, mainly because he was a 4.0 at BJU and struggled to get good grades at Eastern. Our registrar was generous in allowing courses to transfer, because he understood a lot about BJU and he saw his job as a servant to students, but my roomate had several friends who had much more difficulty getting courses accepted elsewhere.
Others I've met from there tend to be arrogant, dogmatic and lack the ability to convey a Christian sense of grace and love, at least that's the way they come off to me. The only one I encountered at Southwestern Seminary was a young man with whom I had two classes--Systematic Theology and Basic Sermon Preparation, and he was constantly arguing with the professor and other students. On several occasions, he called into question the salvation of others in the class because of a statement they'd made.
Although I do not know him personally, the BJU alum that has given me the most negative impression of the school is Fred Phelps, the pastor from Topeka whose calling is apparently to show to all of America just how angry, hostile and anti-social Baptists can really be. "Christ without grace" seems to be the theme.
Perhaps one day I will meet some BJU alumni who do not fit this image, and my opinion will change. My mind is certainly open to that.
I'd say that the alumni I've personally met from there haven't done much to enhance my image of the school, both doctrinally or socially. My roomate in college, who transferred from there, found himself in a group of students who apparently didn't really want to be there, and who had a corrupting effect. He also questioned the academic quality of the courses, mainly because he was a 4.0 at BJU and struggled to get good grades at Eastern. Our registrar was generous in allowing courses to transfer, because he understood a lot about BJU and he saw his job as a servant to students, but my roomate had several friends who had much more difficulty getting courses accepted elsewhere.
Others I've met from there tend to be arrogant, dogmatic and lack the ability to convey a Christian sense of grace and love, at least that's the way they come off to me. The only one I encountered at Southwestern Seminary was a young man with whom I had two classes--Systematic Theology and Basic Sermon Preparation, and he was constantly arguing with the professor and other students. On several occasions, he called into question the salvation of others in the class because of a statement they'd made.
Although I do not know him personally, the BJU alum that has given me the most negative impression of the school is Fred Phelps, the pastor from Topeka whose calling is apparently to show to all of America just how angry, hostile and anti-social Baptists can really be. "Christ without grace" seems to be the theme.
Perhaps one day I will meet some BJU alumni who do not fit this image, and my opinion will change. My mind is certainly open to that.