While secular universities embrace moral relativism and the censoring of conviction of conscience, it is Christian universities that must stand firm on the principles of academic freedom, inalienable truths, and character.
Sadly, Grand Canyon University, one of the nation’s largest Christian schools, has failed in its mission to be “a vibrant Christian university that is committed to distinctively Christian beliefs.” This past week, it entered unforeseen controversy over hosting conservative commentator Ben Shapiro on campus.
The Young Americans for Freedom chapter at GCU invited Shapiro to speak on campus as a part of his nationwide Fred Allen Lecture Series, but the university canceled the event, citing a need to “focus on opportunities that bring people together.”
In the same release, it wrote that “Jesus Christ taught us that Christians should live as the salt and light of the world” and that the university aims to “encourage thoughtful discussions and rational dialogue in our classrooms about the issues affecting our society,” but it “encourage[s] students to put greater emphasis on actions that produce positive change in our society.”
By canceling Shapiro’s lecture for the sake of unity, GCU showed a betrayal of Christ’s call to be ambassadors of the faith, even when it runs counter to existing culture or causes controversy.
Babylon Bee, a satirical Christian site, pointedly ridiculed GCU in a post titled, “GCU Disinvites Jesus From Campus For Causing Division.” After all, Jesus was so offensive he was arrested and crucified. The shocking offense many feel in response to Scripture is simply conviction.
As YAF spokesperson Spencer Brown stated, “GCU has abandoned the sentiment of its own proclaimed values, deluded itself into acting like the liberal campuses it claims to differ from, and blindly accepted the Left’s ludicrous argument that Shapiro’s presence somehow damages students, campuses, or debate.”
GCU has showed a brazen display of capitulation to fit in with the modern trends of censorship for the sake of secular-kindness and dishonesty for the sake of reputation saving.
Over the weekend, GCU decided to reinvite Shapiro, after calling him divisive, but this time without the support or inclusion of YAF or the students who invited Shapiro in the first place. GCU placed fault for the original cancellation on YAF and GCU’s own students, not Shapiro’s perceived inflammatory rhetoric. This obviously contradicts their original statements.
By denying Judeo-Christian values from being expressed on campus in fear of disruption, lying about their reasoning when being caught, and then altogether excluding student leaders from the process when finally reversing their decision, GCU has succumbed to the worst of secular behavior, when instead it should be a flagship of Christian principle in an academic sea of uncertainty.
Of course, this is not the first time a Christian university has come under criticism for canceling a Shapiro event. In November, Gonzaga University cited its Christian mission as one of the reasons for not hosting the conservative speaker.
It’s now more important than ever for Christian leaders to boldly proclaim fundamental truths. A new report from the Barna Group found that nearly half of practicing Christian millennials believe that evangelism is wrong. Millennials “agree at least somewhat that it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith,” the Barna Group shared.
Could this be due in part to Christian leaders showing fear of contrasting views that may upset others? David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group, says this study highlights a need for Christians to bolster their confidence in their convictions.
As Matthew 5:13 reads, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
In other words, a Christian school capitulating to today’s outrage mob is no longer good for anything. GCU must wholly reassess its purpose or succumb to secularism. There is no lukewarm option worthy of pursuit.
Lauren Cooley (@laurenacooley) is a free speech advocate and higher education contributor to Red Alert Politics.
