[Sly Fox]

Today LU announced it was switching its name back to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary:

Liberty University’s seminary reinstates old name

Liberty Theological Seminary is now Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

The name change was announced by Dr. Ergun Caner, president of the seminary, during the Seminary Christmas Banquet on Dec. 14.

The word Baptist was taken out when Caner became president in 2004. In his banquet address, Caner told faculty that the earlier change “served notice to the larger Christian community that we were willing to do anything for the sake of the mission. … Changing the name was just one small component in our overall strategy. It obviously worked. We have had three straight years of growth and have doubled our residential enrollment to over 400 in the seminary.”

But now, he said, it is time “to build bridges to a lost world without burning the bridges of our doctrinal heritage. We are putting Baptist back in our name, and taking back a term that has been misused.

“It just made sense,” he said, “following the vision of our founder and the new chancellor, to proudly state that we are Baptist with a capital ‘B’.”

The name was approved by Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. last week.

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[El Scorcho]

I had a friend who was greatly disturbed when we dropped it. I was okay with it, but understand why we'd put it back. Hopefully it will appease some folks like him.

[Sly Fox]

It caused some repercussions amongst our older and and more fervent fundy supporters. I don't think Caner expected the size of the backlash.

[4everfsu]

Just call me old school

[TallyW]

I was either way with it but it doesn't hurt to name the denomination. We've been in a period for a while where churches have migrated toward taking out denominational ties. Regardless of the change I enjoyed reading the spirit of it... that the goal is to take back an image. Caner has done a great job with our Seminary.

[SuperJon]

Well I can forget going their for the student ministry degree. To me, Liberty Theological Seminary and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary is a big difference. I would've never come to this school if it was still Liberty Baptist College.

[thepostman]

Its not like they changed their doctrine at all...even with the name change they were completely baptist...may as well be staight up about it....A seminary and a university are totally two different things...a University can pass a a non denonational institution, especially since all most students take is basic Bible classes...but when it comes to seminary if you are teaching baptist doctrine I think you should put Baptist in the name so people realize what kind of doctrine will be taught...

at least that is what makes sense to me...

[SuperJon]

I just feel that without a denomination in the name, they're more open to other denominations. I've never been Baptist and I likely will never be Baptist. It may be something minor to a lot of people, but to me, it's something major.

[thepostman]

but they are teaching baptist doctrine...may as well be up front with people...thats all my point is really...

If baptist doctrine is not something you are completely down with and you were seriously thinking of going to seminary, I wouldn't have suggest liberty's seminary no matter what the name was

[SuperJon]

Oh, I agree with your point. Please don't think I was disagreeing with the point you made.

Even if it was mainly Baptist doctrine, which our entire school is, without the word Baptist in the name it allows for other denominations' views to be shared. Look at how much the school has grown after starting to include other denominations. There are a lot of others who wouldn't be here today if it was still a "Baptist college."

I have no problem with them teaching Baptist doctrine or putting the word Baptist in the name. I was looking into the Student Ministry master's program, but now I don't think I'll do it here. Like I said earlier, that's just something that changed things for me. It may bring in even more people who are glad they're going back to the Baptist roots.

[thepostman]

I know you weren't disagreeing, but I just wanted to clarify what I was trying to say.

I had no idea you were even thinking about going that route....are you sure you are moral enough????

haha

[ALAFlamesFan]

I see Super's point in that the term "Baptist" sometimes brings with it more than just doctrine and it has not always been positive stuff. That is probably the reason it was changed in the first place. Doctrinally I am totally with the Baptist theology but socially and style wise I find it best in my circle of friends not to advertise my Baptist heritage because of all the extra baggage.

I think Dr Caner is refering to this extra baggage and perception when he talks about "taking back" the name. I admire the sentiment but I don't think it will work in the short term. Sort of like taking back the term "fundamentalist". I know what it originally meant but these days it is synonomus with "wacko" or "terrorist". Let's hope LU doesn't try to "take back" that term...

OT but related..I have a friend who changed his name from Gay to Gary. His grandfather and father were named Gay but these days it does not mean the same as back then. He could try and "take back" the true meaning of the name but in the popular perception it was a losing battle.

[El Scorcho]

Well I can forget going their for the student ministry degree. To me, Liberty Theological Seminary and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary is a big difference. I would've never come to this school if it was still Liberty Baptist College.

Talk to me offline about this.

[SuperJon]

If you'd get on AIM, I would.

[jcmanson]

AIM is online

[El Scorcho]

AIM is online

"Offline" was used in the general sense to say "off the board". Sorry. I didn't make that clear.

[SuperJon]

I knew what he meant. Me and Scorcho are on the same page.

[jcmanson]

I knew what he meant, I was just being facetious.