Article from the Wheaton Record
September 13, 2002
Vol. 128, No. 3

Reprinted with permission

Students divided after CACE debate
College community struggles to balance allegiance
between earthly and heavenly citizenship

By Jonathan Chrisos
Staff writer

Strong arguments from Gary Bauer and Dr. Tony Campolo during Tuesday night's Center for Applied Christian Ethics (CACE) debate produced a cacophony of intellectual stimuli and reactions among Wheaton College students.

Students poured into Edman Chapel for the widely anticipated CACE fall debate between Bauer, the president of American Values, and Campolo, the president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education.

The two men faced off in an attempt to convince attendees what the proper response and duty for Christians should be in the aftermath of September 11.

The debate, which lasted an hour and a half, drew large crowds from the Wheaton College population, college alumni and the surrounding community - which is exactly what CACE director Dr. Kenneth Chase was hoping for.

"We are hoping that this event will be of high enough quality that a good percentage of the student body will be here, and we will attract a good number of community members. We would love to have 1,500-2,000 [people] jammed into Edman Chapel," he said beforehand.

An exact count is unknown, but in comparison to past CACE events, this year's forum drew significantly higher numbers. In fact, the balcony, which was originally closed, was opened to accommodate additional audience members.

Although CACE's primary audience is the college community, the public was also invited to attend. "We open it up to the community because having community members involved with students in these kinds of events, we think, makes it a richer event and adds a sense of contemporary significance and immediacy to an event," said Chase.

Although both men have a history of appearing on political television shows to debate and discuss various issues, they had never debated each other. Nevertheless, when planning the fall CACE forum, Bauer and Campolo were quickly chosen. "These two individuals emerged fairly quickly," said Chase. "I think we had a couple of other names, but as I researched their positions they didn't strike me as effectively engaging the issues."

CACE immediately contacted Bauer and Campolo; they enthusiastically accepted the invitation to come to Wheaton College. According to Chase, "Both Mr. Bauer and Dr. Campolo agreed right away to do it … which is unusual."

Moderated by Paige Cunningham, J.D., chair, board of directors, Americans United for Life, the debate commenced with a word of prayer from Dr. David Fletcher, chair, CACE Faculty Steering Committee. The prayer included a plea for "confrontation without hatred or bitterness."
During Bauer's constructive speech, he contended that Sept. 11 was an act of war. "It was not a tragedy; it was not a misfortune; it was not an act of fate; it was an act of war. The American people were brutally attacked by Islamic extremists … 3,000 of us were killed solely because we were Americans. The men who did this to us were grown and nurtured by a radical branch of Islam." According to Bauer, the attack on America was not a result of U.S. foreign policy, poverty, or injustice; it was nurtured by extremists.

"Christian citizens need to be able to recognize evil and need to be able to respond to it. Since the fall of man in the garden … the task of doing justice and restraining evil has to be carried out through coercion," said Bauer. "People are plotting now to kill as many of you as they can."
Using a reference to Romans 13, Bauer stated that "government has been given the power of the sword. As Christian citizens we must make sure that power of the sword is used appropriately and correctly." In a pre-debate press release, Bauer argued, "…The only remedy to terrorism is to so completely crush the enemy that his will and ability to wage war is eliminated."

Campolo opened his constructive speech with this statement: "Following September 11 a year ago, a healthy patriotism swept across this country … a chastened and humbled patriotism." In the last year, he claimed, our patriotism has turned into arrogance and hatred. Campolo called Christians to action, but not in a militaristic sense. He urged Americans to repent of our selfish ways and to "not ignore the concerns for people in the Middle East."

He made a call for peace and compassion. "If we're going to win the Muslim world to Christ we cannot make stupid statements about their religion and we cannot, in fact, engage in a holy war against them." Campolo did suggest, however, that some response does need to be taken. "I am not here to say that we shouldn't respond to threats of terrorism, but how should we respond? Have we exhausted the possibilities for negotiation? Have we chosen the best path to follow? I don't think we have."

The debate continued with heated jabs from Bauer and Campolo throughout the cross-examination. Each man was then given the opportunity to deliver a five-minute rebuttal speech, after which Bauer and Campolo proceeded to answer presubmitted audience questions.
Audience responses to points made by Bauer and Campolo fluctuated throughout the evening, demonstrating the struggle of Wheaton students to balance their allegiance. Some booed; many applauded; some sat on their hands; others sneered.

According to Chase, these reactions are to be expected. "Students are going to be divided on this. I think we're split 50/50. I think going into the discussion students can rightly take either side and have good reasons to defend their position, and after the debate, there will be some questions about both sides. But if we can come away with a more profound sense of our heavenly citizenship as a foundation for thinking about our relationship to the country, I think the debate will be successful."

In the final moments of the debate, after an evening of what seemed like a complete deadlock, Bauer and Campolo were able to find a common ground - in scripture. After Campolo quoted Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ," Bauer responded, "On this we agree."
More information about CACE and upcoming CACE events is available at www.christianethics.org.