Billy Kim’s Korean Children’s Choir at BJU
We have gotten some questions about the Korean Children’s Choir singing at BJU, especially since the choir is sponsored by well-known Korean pastor and evangelist Billy Kim. There was a ministry split between Billy Kim and most of fundamentalism back in 1973 when he interpreted for Billy Graham in his Korean campaigns. Since that time Dr. Kim’s associations have been broadly evangelical. We asked Dr. Bob Jones III about the thinking that went into this choice and he kindly sent us this word of explanation. He has given us permission to post it here.
Dear Kevin,
Your inquiry about the rationale for Dr. Billy Kim’s Children’s Choir appearing in a voluntary evening concert at BJU is appreciated and understandable. There is a back story to it that I want to give you a synopsis of which explains the reason for the invitation and the nature of the event.
Almost two years ago I received an invitation from Dr. Kim to be his guest at a Carnegie Hall presentation of 500 Korean children in a two-hour long concert of patriotic and Christian songs thanking America and particularly the GIs who fought to keep Korea free (1950-53). It was an amazing evening during which my wife and I had to keep reminding ourselves that these were children, grades 3-8, not adults. It occurred to me then that if he ever brought a smaller version of this choir to America, I would like the students to see it. When it is presented April 6, my wife will be with me on the way to ministry in Myanmar, but I have recorded an introduction for those in attendance.
If there is an opprobrium of inconsistency attached to the University by this, I bear the entire blame for my rationale that presenting a children’s choir under his aegis is in a different category than his chapel preaching, etc. He knows we could not have him for that. He understands the University had to put a ministry distance between us and him shortly after I became president when he was Billy Graham’s interpreter in Korea. All these years since, his ministry has been in broad evangelicalism.
When establishing his own ministry philosophy, Dr. Kim made choices for ministry associations across lines that put him in fellowship with groups and people that his alma mater had to break company with for conscience sake.
However, Dr. Kim never let the University’s inability to walk the same ministry pathway keep him from being appreciative of what he received here during his BJA-BJU years. His unapologetic pride in being a BJU graduate raised many eyebrows in his circle of friends. Undoubtedly, their antipathy toward BJU was costly to him.
Over the years, he has pointed many Korean students here for their training. He has generously supported his alma mater financially. He has written about the school appreciatively in his books. Some seven or eight years ago, after many years when there was little direct communication, he began a correspondence channel that has revealed an uncommon gratitude for his BJU roots, even in ways that many graduates who are strongly allied with the school, and share its fundamental and separatist convictions, do not.
Truthfully, it became embarrassing to me that the University had been so long on the receiving end of his friendship without tangibly returning it. Presenting the choir seemed to me to be a way we could do that without doing wrong. However, I do see why you may feel that the University’s decision to invite him, which began at my suggestion, is unfortunate and weak. If I stood where you do without knowing the circumstances of which I now give just a little explanation, I, too, might be scratching my head wondering if we had changed our position on compromise. The administration is not repudiating the school’s long history of biblical separation. It is just trying to say thank you to a graduate for his years of many demonstrations of personal friendship toward his alma mater, while knowing that the university disapproves of his more inclusivist direction. Within his cultural context there are dynamics which determine choices he makes about how ministry should be done.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6). “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel” (Proverbs 27:9).
Kind regards,
Bob Jones III
I would be even more interested in their thinking behind having Tim Tebow speak at the University.
Stanley, on that one you should ask the source. I am not a fan of the decision myself, and it is a matter worth discussing. However, for any other readers on this thread, while the Tebow event is worth discussing, let’s keep comments here directly related to the choir. I am not dismissing your concerns at all, Stanley, but I want to keep comments focused on the subject.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
I asked the University that question directly through their contact us page on their website. I did not get a response. I am a 2000 graduate.
Dr. Bob’s rationale makes a lot of sense and should be accepted by all who call themselves fundamentalist Christians.
In his reply to being questioned about why BJU is having Billy Kim’s Korean Children’s Choir, Dr. Bob admits that Billy Kim is still involved in compromise as a disobedient brother. I realize that some folks interpret passages differently, but 2 Thessalonians 3:6 says to ‘withdraw’ from the disorderly and 14-15 tell us to ‘have no company with’ the disobedient. Dr. Bob admits the need to separate from Billy Kim, but then justifies working with his children’s choir rationalizing that because Billy has sent money to BJU, sent students to BJU and said kind things about BJU this now justifies working with a part of Billy’s ministry. It doesn’t make biblical sense. The argument isn’t that Billy Kim has now admitted his compromise and taken a biblical position, but that we need to scratch his back because he scratched ours. This is a bad philosophy that will lead to much compromise.
Thank you, Dr. Schaal, for asking a reasonable question. Thank you, Dr. Jones, for providing a reasoned answer. Thanks to both of you for conducting this conversation as befits Christian statesmen.
I am saddened that Dr. Bob has left us out on a limb when it comes to practicing separation. For years I heard Dr. Bob III and his father hold the line on separation with evangelicalism and have held that position since leaving the university with my degrees, only now to have him climb back and cut the limb. It matters not that Kim has been generous through the years, that is a cultural thing for one. The Asian people are very appreciative when you help them in tangible ways to advance and will do things to show their appreciation. His generosity doesn’t diminish his compromise. His generosity doesn’t clear up anything concerning the positions he has taken that has moved him away from fundamentalism.
I fear that my alma mater is treading the same path that NIU took. Will we find a for sale sign at 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC in the not too distant future? This continued softening on separation is not helping the university.
How is this any different than having the Dallas Brass come to BJU for a Christmas concert?Would that indicate to you that BJU is turning secular.
Aaron, I think the fact that Dr Bob thought that he should respond to this one shows that there is a difference.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Don. Dr. Bob graciously responded at our request. I do not think any inference can be made based upon the fact that he responded to us. It would be very unfair of us to ask him for a response and then say that the fact he responded indicates something is different. In his thinking, this is a concert plain and simple, and a way of returning kindness without compromise.
The reason we asked the question was because the promo material seemed to be confusing about what was actually happening. Dr. Bob explained that.
Aaron, If this event had been billed as “The Korean Children’s Choir” I would not be posting and in all likelihood, Dr. Bob would not have issued a statement, and it would indeed have been viewed just like the Dallas Brass and life would have gone on with no one saying a word, but that is not how it was presented.
At this point, I think we have covered the gamut of opinions concerning the event and Dr. Bob’s explanation. I don’t know that much more could be added. I am thankful Dr. Bob allowed us to publish his explanation of his decisions. Since it is unlikely that new opinions will emerge with further discussion, further comments on this post will not be approved.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Don’t understand why this is even questioned. It is a no brainer! I hope Billy Kim preaches while he is there. It is time to bury the hatchet!
Change the name from “Billy Kim’s Children’s Choir” to “Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Children’s Choir” (hypothetical) and what would/should the answer be? I realize the two are not, would not be the same, but still an interesting hypothetical.
Per Dr. Bauder’s comments: I also appreciate the tone of the Schaal – Jones exchange. “Tone”, of course, does not answer questions, but is still important. As far as “secondary separation”, perhaps an article by Peter Masters on the topic would be helpful for some: http://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/Christian-Article/Secondary-Separation-When-to-Stand-Apart/Sword-and-Trowel-Magazine. See also a review of this article on Proclaim& Defend: https://www.proclaimanddefend.org/2013/08/06/dr-peter-masters-on-secondary-separation/
Dr. Bob and Kevin,
Thank you for your reasoned responses. Over the years we (BJU) have had a wide variety of music groups in for Artist Series. In 1974 I attended my first Artist Series at BJU and heard the Swedish Upsilon Men’s Choir. It was an excellent concert and also my first official date at BJU. I learned that through the Artist Series Programs BJU was exposing the students to high culture. For five years I played viola in the University Symphonic Orchestra under Dr. Gus and personally interacted with the Artists brought in for the BJU operas. The Arts at BJU have always been a unique aspect of University life. I am viewing this event in that light and nothing more. My suggestion is that the Kim connection be downplayed, particularly his international status as an evangelist. Since he has not been invited to preach, I believe that would be a wise course of action. At the same time, I was happy to hear of Dr. Bob’s personal interaction with Mr. Kim. It reveals to me a proper attitude toward someone with whom we cannot ecclesiastically join hands. I am also appreciative of Mr. Kim’s kindness to the University through the years. More than a few BJU grads have simply “trashed” the school from the time of their graduation, showing no gratefulness whatsoever for the good training received there.
Regarding Don Kilmer’s, Brian’s and Wally’s comments. They are spot on and get to the real issues. I can’t believe no one has mentioned the fact that Billy Kim was one of the main speakers at the recent Billy Graham funeral. Or that he recently spoke at BIOLA, calling it one of the finest Christiaan universities in America. If anything, the timing of having him on campus is less than desirable. Dr. Bob’s justification for having Kim and Mike Harding’s defense of that decision oozes with pragmatism, something that should distress biblical fundamentalists who still believe that separation matters. Having Billy Kim at BJU is confusing and sends mixed messages. I urge Dr. Bob to reconsider and pull the invitation. That’s the right thing to do! Being expedient should not be the basis for such invitations.
Don posted this earlier. I will post it here as well.
At this point, I think we have covered the gamut of opinions concerning the event and Dr. Bob’s explanation. I don’t know that much more could be added. I am thankful Dr. Bob allowed us to publish his explanation of his decisions. Since it is unlikely that new opinions will emerge with further discussion, further comments on this post will not be approved.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
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