January 11,2008

Dear fellow faculty members of Cedarville University,

Over the last several years we have endured together some difficult days. As always God has been faithful and shown His grace in wonderful ways, both obvious and undetected. One of these graces is that last August the faculty in the newly-formed School of Biblical and Theological Studies was given a fresh start, a renewed opportunity to be a source of life and grace on the Cedarville campus. We were excited that we could once again radiate truth and joy, contributing positively to the mission that we all share together.

We made commitments to the university, to the mission of our School, and to one another. We are committed to one another that we would not do or say anything to harm another faculty member. We committed to working through disagreements according to biblical principles and university policy. There were no "conservatives" and there were no "non-conservatives." There was only the faculty of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies.

We grieve that the university community is once again burdened by divisive actions. This hinders our ability to fulfill our commission to honor and bless this community. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow and we regret that this has happened. We were embarrassed by and ashamed of the sinful methods used by brothers and sisters in Christ in expressing their views about us and undermining the leadership of our University. Biblical injunctions and university policy were both violated. We urge those who have signed this letter to repent of what they have done and begin the process of reconciliation. We will do all we can to promote reconciliation and bring an end to activities which could divide our community. Our commitment to Jesus Christ and His body demands no less.

The issues described in the letter grossly misrepresent the positions of members of our school. Further, those perspectives presented as areas of suspicion or accusation have all already been carefully addressed. When questions were raised, we willingly submitted ourselves to careful scrutiny. This included numerous private and public meetings, ongoing dialogue with colleagues and administrators, and ultimately review by the Academic Committee of the Trustees of the University. The theological and philosophical issues referenced in the letter have already been addressed in this manner. At every level it has been affirmed that there is no doctrinal violation, and that we all adhere fully to the doctrinal positions of the University.

Because we are committed to openness, we direct any who have been unaware of these issues or wish to re-examine them to the documents which have been public for over a year now. They express positions held by members of our faculty on these issues. They speak clearly, and we affirm that these public statements match what is held by personal conviction and what is shared when teaching on these subjects. These papers have been reposted at www.cedarville.edu/message and can be accessed by clicking the "Clarifying the Issues" button .

We want to reassure the university community that we are unwavering in our commitment to the truth of Scripture, the doctrinal statement of Cedarville University and the Truth and Certainty statement approved by the trustees. We call on all members of our faculty to commit themselves genuinely to building a Christ-centered learning community by modeling the gospel of truth and peace. All our doors are open for anyone who wants to dialogue further about any of these related issues. We love to talk about Scripture and theology with all who are genuinely seeking truth.

Partners in ministry for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

Signed by the members of the Bible Department