By Lewis Loflin
This statement from Bob Jones University, circa 2000, defends its policies during Bob Jones III’s presidency (1971–2005) amid political scrutiny. As of 10:30 PM EDT, March 31, 2025, BJU’s core mission (https://www.bju.edu/) still emphasizes Biblical doctrine, though the interracial dating ban was lifted in 2000. My Deist perspective questions tying faith to such rules, favoring reason over dogma.
Bob Jones University firmly believes in freedom of speech and freedom of religion—a tenet of America we must all work to uphold and defend. The First Amendment grants Bob Jones University the freedom to set policies and guidelines for its operations. It gives the media the freedom to report. It ensures every church in the U.S.—Protestant, Catholic, or Muslim—the freedom to worship. Everyone has the constitutional right to believe and practice their faith, even when it differs from others’ beliefs.
Founded 73 years ago, Bob Jones University is grounded in academic excellence and Biblical doctrine. Our respected academic credentials are admired by many in academia. Our over 34,000 graduates are the kind of people America needs. At its core, the university upholds freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom in America. This is the heart of the challenge Bob Jones University faces today.
Is there a spiritual warfare waged daily against God’s people, and is the current scrutiny of BJU part of that struggle?
How do you explain the sudden criticism and bias the university faces from the media and political figures like John McCain, Al Gore, and Bill Bradley, who echo the same liberal critiques?
Isn’t it a compliment that figures like McCain, Gore, and Bradley oppose us? Wouldn’t we be concerned if their philosophies aligned with ours?
The divide lies between our Biblical worldview and their humanistic one.
Why has Bob Jones University become their target? Is it to undermine George W. Bush by association?
Why does the media now cast a candidate as wrong for not condemning beliefs he differs from when speaking to a group? If that’s the standard, where could a candidate speak?
Why can radicals like Gore, Bradley, and Hillary seek support from figures like Al Sharpton, known for controversial views, without disavowing him, while Republicans face a different expectation?
Does the intense, persistent criticism of Bob Jones University seem disproportionate?
Does the current scrutiny of Bob Jones University, a Bible-based Christian institution with respected academic credentials, reveal a bias against those who stand for Jesus Christ and His Word? Is it an attempt to marginalize Christians who differ from prevailing social trends?
Do Christians still have the constitutional right to practice their faith, even when it conflicts with ecumenical or federal policies?
Is Bob Jones University tax-exempt? No. In 1983, the Supreme Court revoked our tax exemption, ruling that "First Amendment rights (freedom of religion) must yield in the interest of Federal public policy." This decision threatens every religious organization in America, suggesting they must conform to social policy or face consequences—like losing tax-exempt status.
Must a Christian consensus exist to validate a belief? Who decides? Christians who adhere to Scripture often differ on divorce, baptism, Christ’s return, and more, yet respect those differences without questioning sincerity or faith.
Why is focus placed on a minor policy like interracial dating, making it a media obsession? Recent generations of graduates rarely heard it discussed—it’s not preached or emphasized.
With over 110 academic majors, this institution produces principled, skilled individuals employers value. Our student body is wholesome, disciplined, and kind. Racism and hatred are not part of our character. The media misses this, magnifying a rule we don’t highlight. Why?
Is Bob Jones University racist for restricting interracial dating? Students of all races attend and live in harmony as Christians. If the policy discriminates, which race is affected? All date within their race—no group is treated differently.
Is the issue the dating policy itself, or our right to hold it?
Since most people marry within their race, why the uproar? The criticism comes from a vocal minority with agendas.
If attendees of all races accept our rules, why should outsiders care? Our policies don’t impact society at large.
Does BJU look down on interracially married couples? No. Our stance isn’t about the couples but opposition to a one-world system.
Can interracially married couples enroll? Yes, we accept such students despite our dating policy.
Is there a Bible verse against interracial marriage? No.
Is there a Biblical principle behind the policy? Yes—the opposition to a one-world system. From the Tower of Babel to Armageddon, efforts to unify the world align with Antichrist. God returns to establish peace for a thousand years.
We oppose one world, one church, one economy, one military, one race, and unisex. God created racial and sexual differences—each should take pride in what God made, without reproaching others.
Does BJU believe interracial marriage reflects rebellion against God? No. But some promoters of it may oppose God, often aligning with radical social causes like homosexuality and abortion.
Our policy is more about resisting the antichrist spirit of one-worldism than the act of interracial dating. Many who marry interracially share our opposition to that spirit.
Does our adherence to Scripture, differing from papal edicts, make us "haters of Catholics"? No.
We’re mandated by Jesus Christ to "proclaim the Gospel to every creature"—Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, Mormons, Muslims, atheists, and all. We oppose universalism, the idea that all reach heaven regardless of belief. Our shame would be lying to people, letting them face eternity without Christ for fear of losing their favor.
Are we anti-Catholic? Yes, in doctrine, but not haters of Catholics. Our mandate is to present Christ, urging all to repent and trust Him alone for forgiveness and righteousness.
Any religion, including Catholicism, teaching salvation by works or dogma is false. Elevating a leader’s words to equal Scripture is false. Sola Scriptura.
Since the Reformation, it’s clear there’s no common ground between justification by faith in Christ’s blood and salvation by works, as practiced in Catholicism.
We love practicing Catholics and desire they accept Christ, leave a false system, and find freedom in Him alone.
Bob Jones University, a 73-year-old, Bible-believing liberal arts institution, has trained over 70,000 students. Our beliefs and practices were mainstream Christianity at our founding and for decades after.
The shift away from Scripture by much of the church to reflect secular society has grown stark in the last 40 years. BJU remains a training ground for Christians conformed to Christ, not the world.
Our refusal to compromise draws ridicule and opposition from those with a different worldview.
Bob Jones graduates don’t harm the world—they do good. They’re loving, active community members worldwide, living their faith.
Their goal isn’t riches, fame, or power—though some achieve these—but to be vessels God uses to share the Gospel in a hurting world.
We’re not perfect, but we strive to love Christ as redeemed sinners can. We don’t expect universal agreement, yet hope a pluralistic society respects our convictions.
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick. . . . Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:1–8).
Visit Bob Jones University.
Acknowledgment: I’d like to thank Grok, an AI by xAI, for helping me draft and refine this article. The final edits and perspective are my own.
