What's with Liberty? I'm seeing TV commercials about it that don't even mention Christianity. Is this indicative of a direction or policy of some kind to allow or even encourage non-Christians to attend?
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Liberty U.'s Direction?
- Thread starter John of Japan
- Start date
Greektim
Well-Known Member
Would it be possible to find these commercials on youtube and link us to them? It's not that I am doubting you. I just want to see what you mean.
I'll see what I can do. Can't do that right now at my college (grading Greek tests :saint
but maybe later on.PreachTony
Active Member
This is the newest one I can find on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icbJcFEzJ1U
They don't specifically mention Christianity, but there is a line about taking up the cross, and there is Christian imagery.
I was actually unsettled by the part at 1:13, when the narrator says "man needs someone to mirror; an inspiration" and the video pauses for a bit on side-by-side images of Jerry Falwell Jr and a man I do not recognize (granted I'm not very up-to-date on the Falwells). I don't know why, but that image just does not sit right with me.
Here's a shorter example [LINK]
Things I've seen over the past four years:
Rob
Things I've seen over the past four years:
- Tremendous building spree on campus
- The quality and workmanship of the buildings is vastly better than those built earlier
- The enormous development of on-line services.
- Expansion into theater, law and medicine
- Community development in the areas along the waterfront in Lynchburg
Rob
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Greektim
Well-Known Member
Do you live in the L-burg area?
BTW... the video still displayed the slogan about making champions for Christ. That's something at least.
I don't have a huge problem w/ them not explicitly saying "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" in all of their ads.
My youngest is graduating this semester, hoping to get a job in the area, and is hoping to work towards a masters there.
Nice area, just a bit too warm for my liking... although I'm beginning to reconsider... :tongue3:
Rob
ashleysdad
Member
I just started in their Seminary program, don't know exactly what I expected but the classes I have taken so far have been EXTREMELY challenging and very insightful. By way of full disclosure my specific degree is a Masters in Religious Education but it is considered part of the Seminary program. Love it so far!
The commercial I saw was not on Youtube. It's brand new, apparently.
I'll keep my eyes open to see it again on the old style "tube."
That brings up the query, why are they actually advertising on a secular venue? This is not criticism, I just want to understand. It seems to me that anyone interested in a Christian college wouldn't be looking to secular sources for their info, but through their church, Christian friends, etc. So I'm wondering if LU is getting their money's worth in this--as well as my original question: are they looking to have non-Christians apply?
They've always had non-Christians apply--and be accepted.
I did my master's online with LU; they are accredited and accepted by the military. Had to go to the campus for one week for my final capstone course; I was surprised to find that only a few of my fellow classmates approached anything resembling Christians. The very first day, we had to ask one of them to please stop dropping all the f-bombs
I did my master's online with LU; they are accredited and accepted by the military. Had to go to the campus for one week for my final capstone course; I was surprised to find that only a few of my fellow classmates approached anything resembling Christians. The very first day, we had to ask one of them to please stop dropping all the f-bombs
Liberty University advertises in a diversity of manners, from mailed literature, to video, and billboards, across a wide venue.
When my daughter was hospitalized at Children's Hospital in downtown Philly a few years ago, we could see a billboard about the university from her room.
They want their name to be recognized by Christians and non-Christians.
When you look at their sports program, you can see that they have placed it in a priority position at the college. Personally, I see that as an advertisement to the secular world that Christians are competitive and worthy of notice.
I think they desire public recognition and a high ranking among universities in general, not just Christian universities.
They are considered the most popular university in the US [LINK].
Rob
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PreachTony
Active Member
Just curious, Rob, but does this mean that sports are bad? I didn't know that sports were a bad thing. But you make it sound as though competition is wrong for a Christian to partake in. Can you please clarify?
Thanks,
PT
I didn't mean it to sound negative.
Christians compete in the world arena - I see no reason why they shouldn't compete in sports.
I enjoyed a great game in their new stadium this past fall on parents weekend.
The Liberty Flames overwhemingly defeated their foes!
Rob
Christians compete in the world arena - I see no reason why they shouldn't compete in sports.
I enjoyed a great game in their new stadium this past fall on parents weekend.
The Liberty Flames overwhemingly defeated their foes!
Rob
PreachTony
Active Member
Okay, I think I read it as a negative, but I see your explanation. Good stuff.
I have the Falwell autobiography and the one by his wife, too. As I recall this echoes Dr. Falwell's original philosophy.
As you might guess, this is not the philosophy of where I teach, which is strictly a college for preparation for ministry.
In an interesting side note, BJU started out with intercollegiate sports but then went intermural, as I was told, because of the attention the football team got from town folk, who then acted inappropriately by BJU standards. However!! BJU has gone down quite a bit in student body over the years, and the report is that they have gone back to intercollegiate sports. We'll see how that works for them.
I remember the annual convocation at my college years ago; each year the assumption was made that there were students that still needed to hear about Christ, they presented a strong gospel invitation there. We also had daily chapel services that modeled various methods of presenting the gospel.
As a large University, Liberty has a far larger task – as an institution that has thousands upon thousands of on-line students, as well as thousands on campus, the way that task is performed will vary widely from smaller institutions.
If any Christian institution did not make the presentation of the gospel on campus to their students a part of their practice, I believe they would be negligent.
Rob
As a large University, Liberty has a far larger task – as an institution that has thousands upon thousands of on-line students, as well as thousands on campus, the way that task is performed will vary widely from smaller institutions.
If any Christian institution did not make the presentation of the gospel on campus to their students a part of their practice, I believe they would be negligent.
Rob
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The schools I went to and taught/teach (Japan/US) at have all required a personal testimony of salvation for entrance. Then they would have a revival campaign to get the students up to spiritual speed, and in the event someone was unsaved of course the Gospel would be part of that. But the main goal would be revival among the saved students.