John C. Bowling
John C. Bowling is the president of Olivet Nazarene University (ONU).
On June 30, 2009, Bowling was elected the 38th General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene at Nazarene General Assembly in Orlando, Florida. Bowling was reportedly mulling over whether the accept the appointment.
In 2005, Bowling refused appointment as a General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, saying that his mission at Olivet Nazarene University was not complete.[1]
In 2006, ONU awarded both Bowling and his wife honorary doctoral degrees.[2]
Controversies
In September 2007, Olivet President John C. Bowling bowed to denominational pressure by prohibiting Richard G. Colling from teaching the general biology class he had taught since 1991, and by banning professors from assigning a book he wrote attempting to reconcile the foundations of modern evolutionary biology with the principles of modern Christian faith.[3] According to an interview with Newsweek, the reason behind Bowling's response was to "get the bull's-eye off Colling and let the storm die down." Newsweek noted, however, contributions by Nazarene professors like Karl Giberson,[4] author of Saving Darwin: How to be a Christian and believe in evolution[5] and other books on the topic,[6] who have received more acclaim than punishment for their scholarship. The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene states: “903.8. Creation: The Church of the Nazarene believes in the biblical account of creation (‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...’ — Genesis 1:1). We oppose any godless interpretation of the origin of the universe and of humankind. However, the church accepts as valid all scientifically verifiable discoveries in geology and other natural phenomena, for we firmly believe that God is the Creator."[7] The American Association of University Professors later investigated[8] and filed a report[9] finding that Colling's rights as a professor were violated[10] when Bowling placed the concerns of external constituencies above its own self-proclaimed principles of academic freedom.
General Superintendent
On June 30, 2009, Dr. Bowling received 650 out of 910 valid ballots cast. The 2009 General Assembly elected Dr. Bowling to serve as the 38th General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene.[11]
Published works
- A Way With Words (ISBN 0-8341-1802-5)
- Grace-full Leadership (ISBN 0-8341-1775-4)
- Packin’ Up and Headin’ Out: Making the Most of Your College Adventure (ISBN 0-8341-1899-8), co-authored with wife, Jill
- Making the Climb (ISBN 0-8341-2326-6) about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Notes and references
- ^ Gordon Wickersham, Historical Moments from the 2005 Nazarene General Assembly, ONU News: accessed 03/22/2008.
- ^ Bowlings receive honorary degrees ONU News: accessed 03/22/2008.
- ^ Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with Creator (Browning Press, 2004, ISBN 0975390406)
- ^ Begley, Sharon (2007-9-17). "Can God love Darwin, too?". Newsweek. Retrieved 2008-12-2.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Giberson, Karl (2008). Saving Darwin: How to be a Christian and believe in evolution. HarperOne. p. 256. ISBN 0061228788.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Giberson, Karl (2008). The Oracles of Science: Celebrity scientists versus God and religion. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195310721.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)Giberson, Karl (2002). Species of Origins: America's search for a creation story. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0742507645.{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)Giberson, Karl (1993). Worlds Apart: The unholy war between religion and science. Beacon Hill Press. ISBN 0834115042.{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ (Articles I. 1, V. 5.1, VII.) (2005)
- ^ Inside Higher Ed - Academic Freedom and Evolution
- ^ Academic Freedom and Tenure: Olivet Nazarene University
- ^ Inside Higher Ed - Faith, Science and Academic Freedom
- ^ "27th General Assembly Elects 38th General Superintendent: John Bowling "http://www.gacorlando.com