Twice, I almost transferred to another college. Twice, the
hunger for knowledge Dr. Crenshaw inspired kept me there.

I have heard so much about what Dr. Crenshaw has done to
disappoint his students and the administration, but I have
yet to hear anyone ask, “How has Erskine College disappointed Dr. Crenshaw?”

This man has given his entire career to the students at Erskine and to the residents of Due West. Living in a modest home a stone’s throw from the well cared for President’s house, he and his family were always available to any student who needed to talk. He and his wife served on the rescue squad and saved my life by getting me to the emergency room when I was deathly ill. In fact, my doctor said if it had not been for the timely fashion, I would have died. Then, he went in to class and the classed he loved.

Consider that this man, vibrant and excited about teaching, changed. Could it possibly be that Erskine failed him? Could it be possible that actions such as this tainted his
trust in what Erskine considered Christian behavior? What I
have seen and heard is glee in destroying the career of a man who perhaps sadly has let Erskine politics disgust him too much?

Is this the way Christians behave? Gloating and making remarks about grabbing cash? If he had been a man for money, I guarantee he would have packed his bags after his first year and headed for greener pastures. He could have easily doubled or tripled his salary or better yet, become an administrator with a fat salary.

SHAME ON YOU ALL. YOU MAKE ME ASHAMED TO ADMIT I GRADUATED FROM ERSKINE. This form of Christianity smells vaguely of self righteous sinners.

Anne Smith

Thank you for your post and willingness to speak out. I want you to know that there are many alums like you. I have received much encouragement from alums who have had the same experience that you had with Dr. Crenshaw. Usually, they write something like this: “I’m in support of you. Keep it up. You are our voice. However, I’m afraid to say or write anything in public. I don’t want to deal with all the “hate” e-mails, letters, and phone calls.”

Mary, you are a brave lady!! This past Saturday was an interesting day for me. In phone calls, I was threatened to be sued, called an “a**hole” and a “sick s**-o*-b***” by irate alums. Well, just another day! I’m so sorry for all the garbage that is going to come your way for telling the truth. Just another day in the FAR OUT world of the crazy BOIs!

Bless you, NOBLE lady! Perhaps your courage and strength will give boldness to others.

There is one other thing I need to say to you: As an ARP minister, I apologize that the ARP Church allowed this to happen to you. Please, FORGIVE US!!! Please forgive me for it was on my watch!

Regards,

Chuck Wilson
ARPTalk

Thank you for your comments.

FYI, there are many who disagree with me.

Regards,

Chuck Wilson
ARPTalk

Please read the following with a sincere tone of voice in mind, not sarcastic.

You’re more than welcome to sit in on one of my Bible classes with me. I have Drs. Evans and Makujina this semester (Christian Theology, and Psalms and Wisdom Literature, respectively). I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.

I also, being a Philosophy major, have Dr. Reiter if you’d like to sit in on my History of Western Philosophy I course.

Respectfully,
James Curtis

I would encourage you to take Mr. Wilson up on his offer to meet with you. Mr. Wilson can be very direct and I do not always agree with the methods or manner that he expresses his opinion, that is to say I would do it differently. Yet, I have been around Mr. Wilson enough to know that he will listen to your concerns and he will address them directly. I think it would be a good thing for more one on one conversations about Erskine and the ARP, and less computer banter. I too am sorry about your experience, I have many good friends and family in your former church and I know that was a difficult time for all of you.

I daresay, you are too hard on Brent. As James Evans has commented, spelling and punctuation, while excellent points of showing that you are willing to engage people in the English language, is not the language of the internet. Though I disagree with it.

Brent, you raise some great points, though off topic to the thread. Erskine is full of fake people, but so is Furman. So is UGA, Auburn, Clemson, USC, and so-on.

And that’s the crux of it, Brent. That proves, rather- you prove our point: Erskine isn’t what the alumni, nor Crenshaw claim. We are experiencing the world (albeit, not exactly to the same degree). We’re not fully integrated into society, to the world because we’re in College, but we are given a glimpse at what the fallen world looks like.

Brent, I am in full agreement with you about other students here at EC. Some need to grow up, others (like myself) need to shut up, but we all need to learn. That’s a part of the process. Something you (and most definitely I) need to do is give people more grace, more forgiveness. We should be loving other people, yes. But we shouldn’t be forsaking the truth for that love.

You make comments regarding the Bible Department, however, I disagree with. You didn’t study for BR125 and 126 until the night before the exams. You went in hating on Dr. Makujina, and never changed that because you didn’t like your grades. Granted, that’s frustrating. Trust me, I’ve taken a Dr. Evans class before (and yes, I’ve walked out pissed at the man for the grades on several of my tests), but what you and I must realize, Brent, is that both of those grades were OURS. Dr. Evans doesn’t see my name and say, “Well. I hate this kid, let’s give him a C!” Nor does Dr. Makujina! We have to put effort into those classes, and you and I didn’t put effort into BR125, and if that’s any indicator as to whether or not we did in BR126, well. I think we can say we didn’t.

The Bible department isn’t a “dreaded” department, either. They’re strict, they’re rigid to the rules. They aren’t our best friends, they’re our teachers. They want us to learn and thrive in the world, and especially academic spheres. The Bible department is full of three great professors with nothing but the best in mind for us. Get past those numbers on your tests and get to who they are in and out of the classroom.

Yes, they (Erskine) “force” us to take classes here, but they didn’t “force” you to attend, Brent. Remember that. You proudly proclaim you chose to come here, but turn around and toss the F-word (Force) around.

To sum it all up to both Chuck and Brent-

Our generation (Brent’s and mine) need to accept responsibility for our actions. Unfortunately, the generation before us hasn’t been giving us the best example. But that’s not a reason to start attacking people like I have. That doesn’t give us the right to degrade people, or look down on them (like I have!). We need to tell the truth, but with gentleness. And the truth is, Brent, neither one of us accepts responsibility for our actions. Let’s change that, shall we?

Respectfully,
James Curtis

Also I never said there was nothing wrong with my faith being challenged just mocked and belittled, which I have heard Dr. Crenshaw did.I never took a class with him, maybe I should have. The people who told me these things had taken a class with him,so I feel I can trust them. My faith has been challenged and questioned by my older brother who I admire a lot, but he has never mocked it or belittled it. I have others do the same, and help me understand why I believe what I believe, but none have yet to do so in mocking me.
Also an English major told me that Dr. Crenshaw did not teach English,instead would debate the Bible,evolution, climate change and other hot topics in his English class. I see that as something wrong with his teaching, since he was hired to teach English, not current events.

Also You may put me in that “bible beating clique”, but I stand on the Bible because I know Jesus saw it as the word of God, and I have seen lives genuinely changed by the Bible. My own is If that is what it takes to be in your ” Bible beating clique” then I am glad to be there because I have good reason to shove it down peoples throat. It has changed my life,and kept me going in times of troubles through the promises of God,and the grace of the gospel found so within. so I will certainly tell others about what it says,and hope for them to believe it too and what it says about the grace of God. I admit I am the chief of sinners and need more of God’s grace so we all do.

Brent, if I offended you in this replay it was not my intent I was just trying to convey my point of view as humbly as I can and it is not of my own doing that I can humbly replay but that of the spirit of God.I can be very arrogant at times. Its something I continue to work ,and ask for God’s help with. I respect your opinion and I hope you will do the same, but I still disagree with you.

In Christ,
Bobby