January 2018
Brethren,
What is contained on this website will be absolutely incredible to anyone who has dedicated his life to preaching the truth, including such principles as: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16). It will both astound and confound brethren who have made it a goal in life to be “purer in heart,” as well as in their behavior.
If anyone simply told you that the things described herein were occurring at a Christian college, you would probably think he was nuts. It is, unfortunately, not without precedent; at least one other of “our” schools had gone down this same path. The amazing thing is that elders, preachers, and teachers are offering excuses for something that all Christians know (or should know) is indefensible.
To avoid criticism, let us state clearly that this is not a personal matter or vendetta against Freed-Hardeman University. They are, perhaps, the last best school that brethren have who have not gone the way of Pepperdine, ACU, or Lipscomb. Most of us have sent our children to Freed-Hardeman and encouraged others to attend. Many of us have enjoyed the annual lectures for decades. The purpose of this website is to ask brethren everywhere to get Freed-Hardeman back on the right path.
No one can seriously question that A.G. Freed, N.B. Hardeman, H. A. Dixon, and others would never have allowed photography students to look at nude photos or art students to draw a nude model. Yet this is part of the current curriculum at a “Christian” university. No, this is not a matter of hearsay. The students are assigned textbooks, which contain these objects of art—under the heading of erotica! Also included is a taped (with permission) conversation with the art teachers and the supervisor who supports their position.
All that we are asking is that brethren contact Freed-Hardeman to tell them, “You cannot operate a Christian school in this manner.” When these problems are corrected, we will happily make this website extinct. Most of these matters revolve around Kerry Sword, who has recently returned to the United States after serving as an evangelist in Kiev, Ukraine for 25 years. His reputation for soundness is well-known on two continents and is unquestionable. Both his son and his daughters have been subjected to the things mentioned above. His protests have been largely ignored by both the school and the elders at the Henderson church, which is incomprehensible.
Kerry made no rush to judgment but has been trying for over a year to encourage change. No one associated with FHU is paying attention. Please read the materials, and if you agree with brother Sword’s assessment of the situation, will you not use what influence you have to remove nudity from the art and photography departments?
From Concerned brethren,
South Seminole church of Christ
Winter Park, FL.