The Swinging Bridge is Messiah University’s official student magazine, housed in university facilities and funded through the student activity fee that every enrolled student pays each semester.
Those students are not being oppressed. They are absolutely welcome to go to a non-Christian university. And they know that. This has nothing to do with faith or oppression and everything to do with forcing their views on others.
Thank you for the time spent to thoughtfully respond to this Josh and to create a level of accountability for the author and Messiah, while defending historic Christian values. Much needed.
Thank you for speaking out on this subject. As a current Messiah student who will soon be graduating, it's concerning the amount of false teaching that is present on that campus. Props to President Stuckey for at the very least reiterating what all Christians have taught for the last 2,000 years on this issue.
Hi Josh! AJ here :) There were a lot of things said in this article! I can't speak for everyone that was interviewed, but I can say that for me, this article is the reason I agreed to be interviewed for the Pulse. While attending Messiah, I never asked for affirmation. I was closeted the entire time I was there. I never asked for people to use my pronouns, I allowed myself to be labeled as a woman. I never asked for affirmation, but I craved kindness. This article read as though you were writing out of fear, not of kindness. It's normal to be afraid of things we don't understand, but I ask that you respond in curiosity. I would love to talk with you more if you are open and want somewhere to start with those questions :)
My friend who went there was given a bad grade in her essay for saying "mankind" instead of "humankind." The prof who corrected her also had a planned parenthood sign in their office window. The good news, however, is that these "Christian" institutions are revealing their true colors, and it makes the few truly faithful schools left stand out. Additionally, there are more and more small Christian colleges popping up to answer the high demand for classical, quality education.
Hey, just wanted to clarify a few things! For context, I currently serve on student government and am familiar with the many layers and perspectives on these topics. First, I wanted to clarify that The Pulse (which writes the magazine) is funded through SGA and is not beholden to university "doctrine." Secondly, making theological claims about queerness is fully allowed at Messiah and doesn't go against any core doctrine, as you would have learned in your CCC class. I would really encourage you to talk to some of the interviewees who offered to enter into a conversation.
This is hard. To love all ppl like God calls us to do. We are all made in His image. To care for all of us who struggle and go down different roads. I have cousins and an aunt that went there.
Wish our Christian institutions had leaders capable of articulating these issues as clearly as you did here.
As a fellow Messiah alum, thank you for speaking biblical truth with clarity and courage.
Those students are not being oppressed. They are absolutely welcome to go to a non-Christian university. And they know that. This has nothing to do with faith or oppression and everything to do with forcing their views on others.
Thank you for the time spent to thoughtfully respond to this Josh and to create a level of accountability for the author and Messiah, while defending historic Christian values. Much needed.
Thank you for speaking out on this subject. As a current Messiah student who will soon be graduating, it's concerning the amount of false teaching that is present on that campus. Props to President Stuckey for at the very least reiterating what all Christians have taught for the last 2,000 years on this issue.
Thank you Josh.
Praying for discernment and courage to hold onto what the Bible says. Good article Mr. Wood.
Hi Josh! AJ here :) There were a lot of things said in this article! I can't speak for everyone that was interviewed, but I can say that for me, this article is the reason I agreed to be interviewed for the Pulse. While attending Messiah, I never asked for affirmation. I was closeted the entire time I was there. I never asked for people to use my pronouns, I allowed myself to be labeled as a woman. I never asked for affirmation, but I craved kindness. This article read as though you were writing out of fear, not of kindness. It's normal to be afraid of things we don't understand, but I ask that you respond in curiosity. I would love to talk with you more if you are open and want somewhere to start with those questions :)
another interviewee here inviting you into conversation about this topic rather than accusations and assumptions
My friend who went there was given a bad grade in her essay for saying "mankind" instead of "humankind." The prof who corrected her also had a planned parenthood sign in their office window. The good news, however, is that these "Christian" institutions are revealing their true colors, and it makes the few truly faithful schools left stand out. Additionally, there are more and more small Christian colleges popping up to answer the high demand for classical, quality education.
Hey, just wanted to clarify a few things! For context, I currently serve on student government and am familiar with the many layers and perspectives on these topics. First, I wanted to clarify that The Pulse (which writes the magazine) is funded through SGA and is not beholden to university "doctrine." Secondly, making theological claims about queerness is fully allowed at Messiah and doesn't go against any core doctrine, as you would have learned in your CCC class. I would really encourage you to talk to some of the interviewees who offered to enter into a conversation.
Jesus, our/the only Messiah, who “came to seek and save the lost.” He came not “for the healthy but the sick.” We all need Him!
This is hard. To love all ppl like God calls us to do. We are all made in His image. To care for all of us who struggle and go down different roads. I have cousins and an aunt that went there.