Comments on: Guest Author: Cowboy Hats or Roman Birettas? Reforming Academic Habits

By: Academic and Religious Freedom | Kouya Chronicle

Academic and Religious Freedom | Kouya Chronicle — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:25:47 +0000

[...] Catholic roots). This glorious bid for freedom involves the wearing of… no you have to read it for yourselves. Make sure you read the comments [...]

By: Louis

Louis — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:32:38 +0000

I am shocked, shocked, to discover that those wearing cowboy hats at a graduation don’t give “two flips about sophistication.”

By: volfan007

volfan007 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:44:27 +0000

mike,

i dont give two flips about sophistication. why should we be concerned with sophistication? and, do you really think that being sophisticated will result in winning more people to the Lord?

david

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:32:46 +0000

Now there will be a “hat” war among the SBC seminaries: cowboy hats at Southwestern, coon skin hats at Southeastern, St. Louis Cardinals hats at Midwestern, cut-out basketballs worn for hats at Southern, just Mardi Gras beads down in New Orleans, and at west at Golden Gate…maybe they will shed all the clothes and reconnect with the summer of love!

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:28:29 +0000

I don’t think SWBTS or Dr. Patterson can claim martyrdom on this issue.

They did something stupid. This affects the whole church, because of the media attention.

It’s not time to dig in your heels. It’s time to take off the cowboy boots (and hats) and act like well-educated Christians.

Sophistication may be the most ignored evangelistic tool today.

By: Tim Rogers

Tim Rogers — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:41:28 +0000

Brother Joel,

I believe if you re-read Dr. Yarnell’s post he doesn’t really “stake out” a position for Cowboy hats as much as he give historical evidence as to the reasons for the regalia. I do not believe he is putting down the catholic background of the regalia as much as he is offering a definition as to the reason for openness in wearing cowboy hats instead of mortar boards.

I agree that it is plain silly to be in the discussion in the first place. However, this silliness did not begin here, this is just a response to the absolute childishness of putting down everything SWBTS and Dr. Patterson. After awhile even water that drips in the nostril will drive one crazy.

Blessings,
Tim

By: Domenico (=of the Lord)

Domenico (=of the Lord) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:38:49 +0000

To ‘Dominus Illuminatio Mea’
Unfortunately there is some sloppiness in graduation here in Italy, mainly because of the heavy influence of ‘1968′ and also because of an overreaction to the uniforms imposed by Fascism in the past.
My point was that gowns and hats are simply part of today customs. I must say that at the University of Oxford they can be traced back to the foundation’s times. In more recent Universities they are just colourful celebrations of young people, I am sure, unaware of any historical link.
I would like also to say that referring the label ‘Catholic’, intending RC, to the medieval customs is anachronistic in some way. At that times, there was one only Latin Church, at least formally, and Catholic means simply universal, and for this reason perhaps implying also orthodoxy.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:47:00 +0000

This discussion is important because every time Christians do silly things, we alienate large segments of the population who might otherwise be more open to the Gospel.

Western Culture is important because, at its best, it reflects the truth, goodness and beauty of the Creator.

We are called to wisdom.

We were commanded to love God with all of our minds.

We were not commanded to lose our minds in ten-gallon hats, or otherwise.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:37:51 +0000

Tim,

Sorry for the delay. It’s been a busy weekend.

You simulutaneously miss, and make, my point. I’m not taking sides in this debate, simply lamenting that it is taking place at all. It is absolutely silly to “attack” the seminary, or P.P. on this issue. On that point you and I are in agreement. Perhaps I should re-word my question to “WHO SHOULD CARE?!?!?!?!?”

At the same time, it is equally silly to “defend” the seminary/P.P. on this issue. For one thing, cowboy hats are not “indigenous” to any academic environment, even if that environment is in Texas. And honestly, is Malcolm actually contending that all this is about a reaction to the “Catholicity” of academic regalia?

Let SWBTS wear cowboy hats, or turbins for all I care. My earlier lamentation was due to the fact that in a global environment where nearly 1 million people die and go to hell every week, the denomination with the largest missionary force is staking out “positions” and posturing over cowboy hats. It seems like whatever the issue, you guys are going to stand with Yarnell and some other guys are going to stand with Ben Cole. Meanwhile, it is likely that the majority of Southern Baptists who are even aware of this silliness are looking at both sides saying “what is wrong with you people?” At least, that is my current attitude.

If you don’t find that fact to be silly, ridiculous, and a total waste of time on BOTH sides, I”m not sure what else there is to say.

By: Fiat Lux

Fiat Lux — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:24:10 +0000

You are doing something that reflects the culture of the school, and innovation is always a part of academic dress. At Berkeley, my alma mater, we generally follow the American adaptation of British academic dress. I think our Oxfordian friend is right, of course, but a little lunacy is always appropriate in academia. Besides, who knows more about Western culture than Texas Baptists! Ain’t a rodeo within 1000 miles of Oxford.