Greg Boyd to Speak at the Inauguration of New University of Rhode Island President

Some of my readers may know Greg Boyd. He is a former theology professor at Bethel University and is currently pastor of the evangelical Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul. He is a very popular speaker and writer in evangelical circles, but I am guessing that anyone outside of that sub-culture has never heard of him.

Boyd spoke in chapel at Messiah College last month. I didn't get a chance to hear him, but I have read one of his books: The Myth of a Christian Nation. Though Boyd, as far as I know, is not an Anabaptist, this book reads like an Anabaptist screed against the idea of blending nationalism and Christianity. I found myself sympathetic to Boyd's argument, but was a bit turned-off by the style of the book and the lack of historical depth and complexity in his argument. (Not to mention the fact that the book consistently misspells the name of my colleague Richard Hughes--it is "Hughes" not "Hughs."). For a very thorough review of the book check out Bob Robinson's blog, "Vanguard Church."

I was thus a bit surprised when I learned that the new president of the University of Rhode Island, David M. Dooley, has chosen Boyd to speak at his inauguration ceremony. Here is a snippet from a report in the Providence Journal:

University of Rhode Island President David M. Dooley’s selection of a Christian minister to speak at his inauguration ceremony has triggered a campus-wide discussion about the separation of church and state, tolerance and free speech — precisely the principles Dooley says he hopes will define the URI community.

But not everyone at the state university is comfortable with his decision.

Dooley invited Greg Boyd, a well-known minister from Minnesota, to deliver the keynote address at the April 8 inauguration, a choice that has sparked all sorts of discussions — online, informally and in campus meetings. Some students and faculty say they are concerned that Boyd’s views on issues such as same sex-marriage and abortion — he opposes both — and his position as a religious leader make him an inappropriate representative at such a significant public university event.

“Under almost any other circumstance, inviting Greg Boyd to campus to speak would not bother me,” said Lynne Derbyshire, associate professor of communication studies and women’s studies. “But given that the inauguration is supposed to represent what the university is and will be in the future, I’m concerned that [Boyd’s] very public views do marginalize a significant portion of the university.”

Boyd said he hesitated before accepting Dooley’s invitation.

“I had some reservations about it. I’ve never done anything like that,” Boyd said Thursday. “I’ve gone to many campuses to speak, but always with an explicit theological background. I’ve never been asked to give an address that was secular.”

But Dooley, the son and husband of Baptist ministers, said he had read many of Boyd’s books and was struck by their emphasis on themes Dooley says are relevant to college communities. These include separating politics from religion, advocating nonviolence and refraining from judging others, views that have put Boyd at odds with evangelical Christians.

“I really am leery of people thinking you can easily translate your faith into political categories,” Boyd said. “Because when you start doing that, you start demonizing everyone who doesn’t agree with you.”

Boyd said he no longer describes himself as an evangelical as the word “has gotten so wrapped up with so much that I’m against. Jesus does not want to enforce his morality on others. That’s why he attracted prostitutes and tax collectors. Jesus has this encompassing embrace. His love for people outruns his desire to control them.”

Dooley said he expects Boyd’s speech to elaborate on another common theme in his writing, the power of individual choice.

“I chose him for a number of reasons that don’t have a whole lot to do with the fact that he’s a theologian and minister,” Dooley said. It had more to do with “his ideas about hope and the future. There are aspects of those messages that are important for the university and, potentially, for the state. We do have the power to create our own future, and we should have the hope we can succeed.”

I commend Dooley's choice. Boyd is no raving fundamentalist. Within evangelical circles I would argue that he leans to the left on a lot of issues. (Although I am guessing Boyd would feel uncomfortable with "left" and "right" labels). Yes, he opposes gay marriage and abortion rights, but these beliefs are mainstream American positions. (I am not implying here that supporters of gay marriage and abortion rights advocates are not mainstream. I am only suggesting that millions and millions of Americans oppose gay marriage and abortion rights, including, I am guessing, a good percentage of the student body at the University of Rhode Island).

University-types may not like Boyd because of his convictions in these areas, but to oppose his speaking at an inauguration ceremony seems to be one of the worst forms of censorship. (And, I might add, he will not be speaking directly about anything controversial. As the article makes clear, the topic of his talk will be on the "power of individual choice.").