Christian University Chaplain Fired after Preaching Peace Over War

No, I didn't mistype that. Guy just lost his job (was "reassigned") for preaching what the founder of his religion died for preaching, and without which there would be no religion that... yeah, sigh:

Kansas City Star

Shortly after Randy Beckum, chaplain at MidAmerica Nazarene University, delivered his morning sermon on Feb. 10, it seemed to have the desired effect.

He said in his sermon that America has a penchant for war and then he pointed to a contradictory Scripture calling for peace. It sparked intense and immediate debate, dominating dining hall conversations and becoming a focal point of social media.

And while there were plenty who disagreed with the message — some, apparently, found it to be anti-military — there was no denying that it had sparked a lively campus discussion.

This is the point at which blood shoots out of my eyes. Where are their priorities? Anti-military? It's a Christian school! It should be anti-military.

I think the guy is spot on.

As the sermon began, Beckum, a one-time administrator of the year at the university, stood at a lectern wearing jeans and a blazer. After a brief introduction, he mentioned the box office success of the recent Clint Eastwood film “American Sniper,” which details the life of the man considered the most deadly U.S. sniper in history, and noted that it sold many more tickets than “Selma,” which addressed Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful tactics in the civil rights movement.

“I am extremely troubled,” he said.

“I don’t think it is an understatement to say that in our culture, in our efforts to be who we are, we are addicted to violence and guns and war and revenge and retaliation.

“Unfortunately, so are a lot of Christians.”

Full Text of Sermon

Spot on. And I think he was fired for it because the Christian establishment is in the same bed shared by the government and the corporations. That's why I put this in the religion conspiracy forum and not the general religion forum.

Just a week later, however, Beckum, the university chaplain, would be relieved of his duties in a second position as vice president for community formation — a move that has been met with scrutiny by many who have come to view Beckum’s changed role on the 1,800-student campus in Olathe as a form of censorship.

In my opinion, this goes way deeper than censorship.

This is either pharisaical insanity or agenda-driven corruption. Rally 'round the family. Pocket full of shells.

What says you all?

Yeah I dont understand. I actually like the example he gave in his sermon. I feel alot of pastors dont make alot of good analogies from bible times to our current times. but he was right on in his assessment.

the only thing I can think of to ask are his sermons supposed to be controlled? Is there something in the universities rules that says he is supposed to do a certain type of sermon? (whatever that means)

Well when you have people thinking this is accurate.



Then what can you really expect?

Peace gets in the way of their other slogan.

Onward Christian soldiers!!!!!

I would love another reformation that would create 2 different new types of Christians.

Those who follow Jesus teachings and believe works is the way to prove what you are. The ones who follow Jesus example and will fix their sins themselves.

The ones who believe they are saved since the call themselves Christians and believe Jesus died for the sins. We can call them followers of Paul. Paulism since they follow Paul.

Any one having an objection?

Mark 13
7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Wars and rumors of wars are supposed to take place before the end comes, Christians look forward to war in that respect. They herald and welcome war because they believe Jesus is supposed to come afterward to save them.

No surprise really, Christians don't listen to Jesus' message of loving others, they're more worried about prophecies of war being fulfilled and sitting on their hands and not trying to stop it.

I commend this pastor, we need more like him at the pulpit. He seems to understand that war is not a good thing no matter the context.

a reply to: LittleByLittle

yeah I think I kind of do, it seems thats the surest way to follow the current path Islam is heading right?

"No this teaching is right?" "NO were able to do this?"

a reply to: NthOther
The best voices in Christianity piss off the religious cliques. Jesus certainly did. The pharisees had Jesus executed for threatening their status quo.

sadly we have seen this before in history..we are on a clear path to war and
will not tolerate pacifism.
this is very alarming

While his sermon may have been on point...

It could be seen as influencing politics in a place of learning...



& I'm not too sure, so correct me if I'm wrong...
But couldn't that be a slight breach of separation of church and state?



I know it's a Christian Uni... But once he brings a political slant to it, kinda violates that constitutional tenet.


Maybe he could have been a bit more subtle in his anti-war rhetoric.
A little constitutional loophole.





It's kind of out of order, but hardly unexpected.

Maybe a petition will get him back in the position he held.

originally posted by: autopat51
sadly we have seen this before in history..we are on a clear path to war and
will not tolerate pacifism.
this is very alarming

Indeed. We have a society that is obsessed with violence, in which the dominant religion has confused its identity with a sense of nationalism.

This is extremely dangerous. Students were walking out because they were offended by what the guy said. Their nationalism is more important to them than their spirituality.

They're having unnerving success in their efforts to make the state their god.

a reply to: autopat51

Of course we've seen this before, we've been waging war with one another for all of recorded history.

Seems to me like Jesus was stating the obvious, when has there ever NOT been wars and rumors of wars? Seems like a war manifesto for those in power, an excuse for them to profit off of their perpetual wars while the citizens see it as a sign of Jesus coming back to save them.

How long have been people been saying Jesus is coming back? For as long as we've been waging wars. Perfect setup for those in power if you ask me. I'm surprised Christians don't see it for what it truly is: an excuse for TPTB to fight wars without resistance from the populace.

a reply to: NthOther heck yes! In the US, ChristIanity has been hijacked by a narrow frame of pro life, gun rights, and military infallibility. Stars and flags galore.

a reply to: Look2theSacredHeart

to your point everyone wants to point to duck dynasty. not saying anything wrong with duck dynasty an what there doing. but that would be very much I think what your point was talking about at least thats what it made me think of

This is just sad, this is exactly what he should be preaching and gets canned for it.

originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs

Maybe he could have been a bit more subtle in his anti-war rhetoric.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:40

Something like that, maybe?

Private college.
He could sue. But that's about it.

i think it is plain to see that ant-war sentiment will be derailed where ever it rises.
we must band together as national socialists..er..um..patriots! yes..patriots!!

originally posted by: NthOther

originally posted by: autopat51
sadly we have seen this before in history..we are on a clear path to war and
will not tolerate pacifism.
this is very alarming

Indeed. We have a society that is obsessed with violence, in which the dominant religion has confused its identity with a sense of nationalism.

This is extremely dangerous. Students were walking out because they were offended by what the guy said. Their nationalism is more important to them than their spirituality.

They're having unnerving success in their efforts to make the state their god.

And even more alarming when pointed out ... it is received badly....violence is like a drug to some it would seem

Perhaps that so called Christian school should enter an eleventh commandment, thou shall not threaten the profit of the military Industrial complex.

originally posted by: NthOther

originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs

Maybe he could have been a bit more subtle in his anti-war rhetoric.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:40

Something like that, maybe?

Precisely, a bit of scripture, but with an elaboration such as "that extends to the farthest corners of the Earth, don't just Love thy neighbour, Love those who could have been thy neighbour"...

But I'm not much of a speech writer... But yeah, you get it.




That's not to say he should have to do that, it's a shame he's been reprimanded for this...
It's disgusting actually...

I guess no good deed goes unpunished.

Sad.