Firing of prof at Colorado Christian puts focus on Christ and capitalism

Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 13, 2007 at midnight

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What would Jesus teach about capitalism, and what would be on His assigned reading list?

That's the issue dividing Colorado Christian University, where the dismissal of a professor has sparked lively student and alumni chatter on the Internet.

The dispute at the usually tranquil Lakewood campus pits Andrew Paquin, head of a religious charity that aids poor people in Africa, against former U.S. Sen. William Armstrong, R-Colo., president of Colorado Christian and a pillar of the religious right.

Armstrong fired Paquin from a position teaching global studies at the end of the spring semester amid concerns that his lessons were too radical and undermined the school's commitment to the free enterprise system.

Paquin assigned works by Jim Wallis, who writes from the Christian left, and Peter Singer, an atheist and animal rights activist.

Armstrong won't discuss Paquin's case specifically, but he says free enterprise is fundamental to the school's philosophy.

"I don't think there is another system that is more consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ," Armstrong said.

That doesn't mean socialists can't be good Christians, and a belief in free enterprise is not linked to salvation, Armstrong added.

But free enterprise is the message of Colorado Christian, he said. "What the university stands for, among other things, is free markets."

Paquin, 36, says he supports capitalism, too. The Lafayette-based charity he founded gives "micro-loans" to poor Africans, allowing them to start simple businesses.

"It's obviously been one of the greatest wealth generators in the world," Paquin said of capitalism.

"But," he added, "I'd stop short of deifying it."

Adam Smith, the 18th century Scottish philosopher associated with capitalism, wrote that the individual pursuit of wealth brings economic growth, improving everyone's lot, Paquin notes. But Jesus, he said, taught that the common good is served by pursuing the interest of others.

"Those are the tensions with my faith," Paquin said. "I don't have that resolved. I live with those contradictions myself."

'We teach Jesus is Lord'

Colorado Christian University is the product of a 1985 merger between two Bible colleges that operated beginning as early as 1914. The Lakewood campus will enroll more than 1,000 students in the fall.

The school offers business and liberal arts programs, but makes no secret of its underlying belief.

"We teach Jesus is Lord," Armstrong said.

Among the school's "strategic objectives," adopted last year, is to "impact our culture in support of traditional family values, sanctity of life, compassion for the poor, biblical view of human nature, limited government, personal freedom, free markets, natural law, original intent of the Constitution and Western civilization."

Trevor Simmons, who graduated in June, says that statement comes close to incorporating a political agenda into the curriculum. He calls that step "drastic."

"I don't believe CCU should be making such a strong political stance," Simmons said.

Simmons is among the students who signed Web-based petitions protesting Paquin's firing. Two petitions drew more than 280 signatures, although many of the names appear on both, and it's not clear whether the signatures belong to students or alumni.

Restricting the books professors are allowed to assign leads to a narrow education that doesn't prepare students for ideas they'll encounter in life, said Simmons, who will begin graduate work in history at the University of Colorado this fall.

"Students who were formerly being exposed to all the ideas that are out there now are limited to these politically right-wing views," he said. "What are they going to do when they get to graduate school? What are they going to do when they study abroad or join the work force?"

Trying to challenge students

Paquin said he assigned books from various viewpoints to challenge students with ideas they had not encountered before.

"I wanted my left-leaning, my right-leaning, my centrist, radical — whatever — students to at least give ear and respect to perspectives other than their own," he said.

Paquin, who holds a master's degree from the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies, took the Colorado Christian job two years ago to supplement his income.

He heads the 10/10 Project, named for a verse in the Gospel of John. The group raises money on college campuses and loans it to poor people, principally in Kenya, to start small businesses.

Paquin received strong performance evaluations in his first year, and he was given additional courses to teach last year.

In a letter of dismissal, Armstrong expressed respect for Paquin's religious faith. "God may be calling you to a full-time ministry with 10/10," Armstrong wrote.

In an interview, Armstrong said that teaching at Colorado Christian is "subject to some constraints." Faculty members at Colorado Christian do not enjoy tenure.

"The university exists because the trustees and the president and our predecessors sought to create an institution in which we can pass on the knowledge and values and traditions that we cherish," Armstrong said. "It's not the case that we're doing what anyone wants to do. We have a purpose here."

Limits on what can be taught

Armstrong, who became president of CCU in 2006, offers the school an impressive background. A successful businessman with interests in television stations and banking, he served two terms in the Senate, beginning in 1979.

Armstrong said he is "probably" part of the "religious right," the political group guided by Christian values. But public policy and electoral politics should not be confused with religious doctrine, he said.

"Do not throw the mantle of Christ over any candidate or any political cause," Armstrong said.

Similarly, Colorado Christian is not overtly political, he said. The school aims, however, to produce leaders on issues ranging from the decline of traditional family values to the growing power of the Supreme Court.

Professors can teach about alternative viewpoints, Armstrong said. For example, they can refer to the historical record of communism and quote people who backed communism.

But they could not teach the philosophy of communism itself.

"Would we think we had succeeded if we persuaded students that communism was a good idea? No, we'd think we failed," he said. Similarly, students are not barred from raising issues in class discussions.

But, Armstrong added, "If a student of this university came to a different conclusion than 'Jesus is Lord,' we would think the university had failed. We would think that would be a blemish."

Paquin said he does not expect to return to Colorado Christian, and he doesn't plan to sue. He said he will continue to follow his career in charitable work.

Colorado Christian University

Location: 23-acre campus in Lakewood

Programs: 27 undergraduate degrees in business, education, humanities and sciences, music and theology; also master's degree, certificate and licensing programs

Mission: "Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation and engagement with the world."

Enrollment: 980 undergraduates last year; more than 1,000 projected for fall

Faculty: 52 full time, about 300 adjunct

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5209

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