Northwest Nazarene University Eliminates Tenured Theologian’s Job Amid Evolution Dispute

Academics at Christian colleges who accept evolution, and who hold that this does not make them less Christian, have expressed deep concern about Northwest Nazarene University’s decision to eliminate the job of Thomas Jay Oord, a tenured theologian there. Oord has written numerous books and articles that sympathetically examine how Christians can embrace evolution while maintaining their faith. He has pointed to Nazarene scholars and rank-and-file believers who accept evolution, and he has suggested that there is much to be learned scientifically from sources other than the Bible.

The source reports that these views appear to conflict with the university’s statement of faith, which says that “The Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.” Traditionalist Nazarene blogs have also regularly criticized Oord’s work, accusing him of “false teachings” and urging the church’s universities to reject “evolution’s lies.”

The university would not confirm that Oord is losing his job, but it did confirm that one theology position and one counseling position are being eliminated. (The source notes that its earlier wording was updated to correct the fields affected.) A university spokeswoman said that declining enrollment in theology made it necessary to eliminate two positions, even though the school is, in her words, “financially strong.” Asked whether Oord’s views on evolution played any role, she said by email: “The university made these decisions unrelated to performance. Declining student enrollment in the departments affected requires laying off two faculty and four staff members.” Oord referred questions to a colleague, who said Oord had recently been told his job was being eliminated.

Many theologians have questioned the university’s explanation. They note that Oord had tenure, and that many religious institutions, as part of their mission, maintain more theology positions than enrollment alone might justify in order to promote the study of their faith. They also argue that eliminating tenured faculty positions without faculty participation, at a college that describes itself as financially strong, violates the norms of tenure. The spokeswoman’s explanation is one account of the decision, and critics’ objections are another; both are presented here so that readers can weigh the competing claims.

Two Facebook groups, Support Tom Oord and Defending Tom Oord, were created in the past week to express anger over the decision. Some commenters say criticism they posted on the university’s Facebook page was removed. A university spokeswoman said officials recently discovered that some posts to the university’s wall were not appearing, and that this was not related to the controversy. The pages feature many statements from colleagues and former students praising Oord as a teacher and thinker, and many comments say his work made them stronger Christians. One Facebook comment asked how far enrollment would have to fall before the university would prioritize the formation of Christian ministers over its finances, and another criticized the institution for its stated reason. A similar reaction began on Twitter under the #supporttomoord hashtag.

Kevin Timpe, a philosophy professor at Northwest Nazarene and the colleague Oord authorized to speak for him, said by email that many professors feel that what has happened to Oord, a professor with prominent publications, a public and scholarly following, and success in winning grants, means that no one is secure. “Yesterday, I heard a 20-plus-year faculty [member] express the worry that ‘our tenure is now meaningless.’ Many faculty worry that similar measures could be taken against them in the future,” Timpe said.

Source: Read the original report