2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the editor: Preacher needs to be ignored
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The outcry against "Reverend" Clifton Nickens has been well documented in the latest edition of the Student Printz and many people have voiced their opinions against the controversial evangelical, but there are a few facts missing from the latest rebuttal articles. Last semester, during one of his tirades on campus I had the opportunity, along with several of my friends, to have a private 2 hour conversation with the controversial evangelical in an attempt to get to know the man behind the loud voice. The story of his journey to spirituality was interesting, to say the least. Nickens informed us that he was indeed a sinner of the highest degree, "fornicating and partying all the time," that is until he found God, or rather God found him. After his conversion, Nickens attended a charismatic church that preached love and not much else, in other words the "soft" side of Christianity. According to Nickens, he began studying the Bible and as a result became more spiritually mature than his fellow Christians. In true Nickens fashion, he openly confronted the congregation and its pastor, which ended with his expulsion from the church. Currently, he now pastors a small house church in the Prentiss area and has no affiliation with any official Protestant denomination.
One of the shocking revelations I received from our interview with him was that, on a very basic level, Nickens is correct in what he preaches. The Bible clearly explains that God is love that Jesus died for the sins we have committed, but the Bible is also clear that God is just (see John 5:30, Matthew 23:23, and 2 Thess. 1:6 just to name a few). One cannot claim to be a Christian and follow the Bible while overlooking this crucial aspect of Jesus' message. In Christian circles, one thing we tend to do is focus on one aspect of the Bible, either turning our attention totally towards the "soft" side of Christianity, or like Nickens, who went from one extreme to the other, turn our attention totally on the "judgment" side. The Bible describes Jesus as the "Lion and the Lamb." He is BOTH loving and just at the same time. Where I think Nickens goes wrong and enters the realm of absurdity is when he states that people who wear sandals, join fraternities/sororities, ect., which are unfounded in Scripture, are all going to Hell. Nickens also goes awry when he claims to be without sin, an assertion specifically covered in 1 John 1:8, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (NIV).
Nickens is a poor representation of what Christianity is and should not be taken as a representation of the majority of us who follow Christ. The best policy students should take against this confused individual is one of disregard. Simply ignore him. Confronting him only feeds his "messianic ego;" it makes him feel that he suffers persecution, much like Jesus and the rest of the early church. Nickens truly believes himself to be a champion of truth and any opposition further convinces him that he is battling the evil forces in this world. Ignore him and after a while, he will go away.
Earl Bell
One of the shocking revelations I received from our interview with him was that, on a very basic level, Nickens is correct in what he preaches. The Bible clearly explains that God is love that Jesus died for the sins we have committed, but the Bible is also clear that God is just (see John 5:30, Matthew 23:23, and 2 Thess. 1:6 just to name a few). One cannot claim to be a Christian and follow the Bible while overlooking this crucial aspect of Jesus' message. In Christian circles, one thing we tend to do is focus on one aspect of the Bible, either turning our attention totally towards the "soft" side of Christianity, or like Nickens, who went from one extreme to the other, turn our attention totally on the "judgment" side. The Bible describes Jesus as the "Lion and the Lamb." He is BOTH loving and just at the same time. Where I think Nickens goes wrong and enters the realm of absurdity is when he states that people who wear sandals, join fraternities/sororities, ect., which are unfounded in Scripture, are all going to Hell. Nickens also goes awry when he claims to be without sin, an assertion specifically covered in 1 John 1:8, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (NIV).
Nickens is a poor representation of what Christianity is and should not be taken as a representation of the majority of us who follow Christ. The best policy students should take against this confused individual is one of disregard. Simply ignore him. Confronting him only feeds his "messianic ego;" it makes him feel that he suffers persecution, much like Jesus and the rest of the early church. Nickens truly believes himself to be a champion of truth and any opposition further convinces him that he is battling the evil forces in this world. Ignore him and after a while, he will go away.
Earl Bell
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Marion
posted 9/12/07 @ 9:57 PM CST
Wow, you read my mind! You make really good points, especially in regards to the Bible.
bored...
Steven
posted 9/12/07 @ 10:44 PM CST
Somebody get Earl on the editorial board. Well thought out, concise sentences, well researched.
Bravo Earl Bell. Bravo!
Shawn
posted 9/14/07 @ 10:20 AM CST
Great letter. As A Christian myself, it disheartens me to see this man, and realize that this may be the only represenation of Christianity some people get. (Continued…)
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