Calvin, Please Respond Correctly UPDATE: Christopher Smit Resigns

By: American Decency Staff

 

*Update

Associate professor Christopher Smit has resigned from his position at Calvin University, severing the connection of the University to DisArt and the Drag Syndrome Event. As such, we have removed the contact link for Calvin from this article. It should be noted that according to the policies stated on their website, Calvin University still does not hold Biblical views towards LGBT ideology, stating that "homosexual orientation is not a sin," and stressing "inclusion" of those who identify as such which amounts to not calling them to repentance (and silencing those who would do so). Calvin does maintain that "physical sexual intimacy has its proper place in the context of heterosexual marriage" and as they are aligned with the Christian Reformed Church in America, that is where they adopt their stance from.

But, Jesus makes it clear that sin begins in the heart when he calls the man who hates His brother a murderer, or the one who lusts after a woman an adulterer. To desire to sin is to commit the sin in your heart and – as with the sinful desires that each of us deal with- that is something that needs to be repented of, not to build a community around. 

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A Christian educational institution must be Christian in all that it does: what it teaches, what it promotes, what it allows, what it sponsors, etc.

If such an institution exists for the glory of God and the magnifying of Jesus Christ, then those they employ should also stand firmly on sound Biblical standards, promoting a passionate Christian lifestyle as defined by Jesus in the Word of God.

Men and women who attend such institutions of higher education must be confronted with the living and unchanging Word of God. They must be taught that the Word of God is to change them; and in so doing, as Christ works through them, they will become “agents of renewal” in this broken world.

Let’s look at some information from Calvin University’s webpage:

“What makes Calvin a Christian University?” “Everything we do is rooted in Christian faith. Our commitment to Christian faith isn't limited to chapel services–it permeates our academics, athletics, arts, student organization, and life on campus.”

Calvin’s Mission:

Calvin University equips students
to think deeply,
to act justly,
and to live wholeheartedly
as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.

Those are wonderful ideals and we would hope that it is not just a nice platform; but rather, we’d hope that it is a platform that is to be consistently stood upon and one to launch its students into the world as “agents of renewal.”

That’s why we are saddened and dismayed to find that one of their professors, Christopher Smit, is involved with an event that not only exploits Down syndrome individuals, but also warps and corrupts God’s design of gender and sexuality.

Professor Smit is not only the co-founder of DisArt, but has adamantly defended his group’s decision to bring to Grand Rapids, “Drag Syndrome,” a British drag troupe made up of individuals with Down syndrome.

Christ, the WORD incarnate, inspired the words of Deuteronomy 22:5: “A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.”

But a drag show is far more than just men dressed in provocative women’s clothing.  Such shows are designed to normalize transgender ideology and eroticism, while mocking the God who created us male and female.

DisArt is using this opportunity to push an agenda in West Michigan.  With Professor Christopher Smit’s intimate involvement with such an unbiblical event that is meant to normalize sin in our communities, he, by association, is also besmirching the name of Calvin.   

Using disabled individuals who lack the ability to grasp the complexity of the issues of gender and sexuality that they are being used to foment is NOT JUST and it certainly is not something which Christ would expect of His “agents of renewal.”

If the Christian faith permeates the arts at Calvin, as they claim, then how can a Down syndrome drag show bring glory to God?  When a Christian institution, as Calvin, is fully aware that a professor has brought controversy due to his or her engagement in a matter that brings dishonor to the Creator God, it should be expected by a watching world and alumni that steps will be taken by Calvin to remedy that situation with the individual by word and by action.  In this case, Professor Smit has brought dishonor to and degraded the name of the university, and more importantly, the God it represents.   Will Calvin allow a professor to influence students when that professor undermines the Christian worldview of gender and sexuality and causes vulnerable image bearers to become complicit in the perpetuation of that sin? Will Calvin’s trustees and leadership speak into this concern and ensure that Professor Smit exemplifies a biblical worldview – and hold him accountable when he doesn’t?

We urge you to contact the president of Calvin University, Dr. Michael Le Roy, and Calvin trustee, Allan Hoekstra, and ask them to consider how this reflects on the name of Christ, the name of Christianity, and the name of Calvin.

It is our full expectation that when you contact them you will respond in Christian charity, exhorting this well-known university to do what is right. Please hold yourself to the same Biblical standard of decency in your communications that you expect them to hold in the community.

It’s possible that Calvin didn’t have an awareness of what was going on; they do now. Firmly and compassionately ask them to take the correct Biblical stand that they have been known for in time past.

 

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