Methodist University Hires a Muslim Chaplain

The word Christian means something to me. Likewise, the word Islam means something to my Muslim friends. And although we are friends, we also recognize that our religions are not one and the same. In fact, the claims of Christianity and Islam contradict each other, meaning that both religions are not equally valid; both can’t be right. Shenandoah University, a Methodist school, believes that Christianity and Islam are equally valid and that their students will benefit from the spiritual guidance of both. To help facilitate this, Shenandoah University has hired a Muslim chaplain. By doing so, the Methodist institution signals that Christianity means nothing to them.

Located in Winchester, Va., Shenandoah University boldly proclaims on its website that “Shenandoah University is one of six United Methodist Church-affiliated institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The spiritual life team is dedicated to calling, forming and sending leaders for tomorrow’s church and world, offering a wide mixture of programs throughout the academic year.”

I say “boldly” because it requires a level of hubris to take the tithes of Methodists and claim to use those tithes to form and send “leaders for tomorrow’s church” all while showing utter contempt for the Christianity they claim to believe. In the press release announcing the hiring of Hanaa Unus to serve as chaplain and Muslim community coordinator, the school explains:

Unus will work with both Muslim and non-Muslim students to address their spiritual care and needs, creating a safe and understanding space where they can practice their faith and discuss their concerns. She will work with Rev. Dr. Allen and the Office of Spiritual Life on education through interfaith programs.

The school can couch the hiring of Unus in as many leftist buzz-words as they want; that doesn’t change the fact that her hiring demonstrates that Shenandoah University does not care about the spiritual well-being of their students. Christianity teaches that there is only one way for humans to restore their broken relationship with God and enjoy eternal life, and that way is through repentance of sins and faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Islam teaches that’s not true.

The spiritual guidance that students at a Christian university should be receiving is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Methodist parents who send their children to Shenandoah University should be mortified that during those times when their child is hurting, confused, and questioning, their spiritual leadership may very well come from a Muslim chaplain. Think about it: when a homesick freshman who is struggling goes to Unus, will that hurting student be directed toward Jesus? No, of course not. And, frankly, it would be unfair to expect Unus to do so.

Spiritual relativism masked by the desire for “diversity” is leading people to hell. Shenandoah University is using the tithes of Methodists around this country to deny students the gospel of Jesus Christ and, instead, to point them to a false religion.