Posted on 09/17/2013 9:33:30 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
PASADENA – Thirty years after an influential Christian seminary in California specifically labeled homosexuality a ‘concern,’ the school has officially accepted its first on-campus homosexual student group.
Since its founding in 1947, Fuller Theological Seminary (FTS) has grown into a leading Christian school, with the Los Angeles Times recently describing it as “arguably the most influential” seminary in America. One of the school’s stated purposes is to equip “men and women for the manifold ministries of Christ and his Church.”
“Under the authority of Scripture,” the seminary’s website states, “we seek to fulfill our commitment to ministry through graduate education, professional development, and spiritual formation. In all of our activities, including instruction, nurture, worship, service, research, and publication, Fuller Theological Seminary strives for excellence in the service of Jesus Christ, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of the Father.”
In 1983, FTS leaders published a document titled “Mission Beyond the Mission,” which outlines several of the school’s key priorities and beliefs. While the document does not express unequivocal opposition to homosexuality, it does mention several “concerns that rightly evoke the attention of many Christians,” including alcoholism, drug abuse, abortion, pornography, and—notably—“the promotion of homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle.”
Furthermore, the school in 1983 articulated that marriage should be viewed as a “divinely ordained covenant. However, FTS administrators admitted that “[t]emptation to compromise, whether knowingly or unknowingly, with the world, the flesh, and the devil is a constant reality.”
Despite these promising affirmations of godly lifestyles, it has come to light that Fuller Theological Seminary, led by President Mark Labberton, recently officially sanctioned its first openly homosexual student group, which formed last fall. The organization’s name is “OneTable,” and—according to a recent blog post by OneTable members—strives to be “a safe place for dialogue between LGBTQ students and the wider Fuller community.”
In a blog post from this past spring, OneTable’s former president—simply identified as “Samantha”—shared her personal story of growing up as a Christian, but eventually becoming more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Through a week-long FTS/Young Life “ethics course,” she came to doubt her long-held belief that “being gay was a sin.”
Connect with Christian News Follow @4christiannews “I was shocked, absolutely floored,” she wrote about the ethics course, “to learn that the Bible only explicitly references homosexuality six times in both testaments combined. What!?!? How had no one ever told me that? I felt slighted by my faith communities and by the guidance and teachings they had offered me. When we watched For the Bible Tells Me So, I was moved to tears by the hatred and intolerance the gay community had suffered in the hands of the Church.”
Additionally, earlier this year, the homosexual advocacy group GLAAD wrote an article about one of OneTable’s film festivals, calling the organization’s efforts “a sign of encouragement.”
“While the progress may seem small to people outside the evangelical world,” the article from GLAAD states, “those within will undoubtedly recognize the gravity of this step. As a leading evangelical seminary, Fuller prepares future leaders of the church to be ministers and advocates for change. Events like this film festival will ensure that—at the very least—the LGBTQ community will be in the consciousness of these women and men.”
However, in the midst of praise from homosexual advocates, some Christians are disappointed by the seminary’s decision to sanction OneTable. As reported by NBC News, Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council explained that homosexuality can be overcome through the power of Jesus Christ, and is not an irrevocable behavioral quality.
“It’s possible to change any or all of these attractions,” he said.
Therefore, President Mark Labberton released a statement on the seminary website Monday to bring clarification to the issue, explaining that while Fuller still believes that homosexuality is “inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture,” the group was approved in that it serves as a venue for students to deliberate matters of sexuality.
“OneTable provides a safe place to discuss issues related to sexuality and gender—issues that are vitally important, personal, and fraught with debate that is frequently divisive and contentious, not least in an evangelical context,” he wrote. “OneTable at Fuller is not an advocacy group to alter seminary policy nor to direct any efforts in that direction. … In terms of the topics of sexuality, marriage, and family, Fuller has been and will continue to teach about these issues in many ways both in the classroom and in campus-wide workshops.”
As previously reported, the enrollment of an openly homosexual student at Liberty University’s Baptist Theological Seminary was also called into question this year, but Fuller is believed to be the first seminary to grant official recognition to a homosexual student group.
An obvious move for another deranged “seminary”. Fuller has always turned out questionable products.
Another so-called Christian Organization walks away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an ill-fated attempt to “Reach-Out” to sinners.
In so-doing, they walk away from the transformative power of the Gospel to change men’s hearts from Romans Chapter 7 to Romans Chapter 8.
Shame on them!
directly against Bible
un-good
It’s in CaliPornina WHAT does everyone EXPECT??!!
It’s sad that a school with great Christian leaders like Bill Bright, John Piper, Rick Warren as alumni could end up like this.
But then, this school also has questionable graduates and teachers like Rob Bell and Mel White.
Queer Everything
When these people stand before GOD, HE will not buy their excuses. HE will show them HIS words in the Bible.
We were foretold of a great falling away. That fulfilled prophesy itself should prove that God is all he says He is.
Ping for later
How many do you need?
How many do you need?
Seven.
2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Satan sows his tares everywhere.
It is my impression that some people go to seminary looking for the fine print that will relieve them of the stuff in bold print.
double plus un-good.
RE: How many do you need?
Some additional thoughts on the “The Bible only mentions homosexuality 6 times”...
1. How many times does God have to say something before I should obey?
2. How many times does the Bible mention bestiality?
3. How many times does the Bible say not to beat up gays? (I think that is wrong, of course, but am taking her argument to its logical conclusions). Is the answer to the question -— NOT ONCE? Then it’s OK to beat up gays I guess?
4. The Bible doesn’t just clearly say homosexual behavior is wrong — including the “exhibit A” example of rebellion in Romans 1 — there are countless passages showing God’s ideal.
The Bible couldn’t be more clear. Bible-believing Christians and even two out of the three types of pro-gay people* (religious or not) can see these truths:
100% of the verses addressing homosexual behavior describe it as sin in the clearest and strongest possible terms.
100% of the verses referring to God’s ideal for marriage involve one man and one woman.
100% of the verses referencing parenting involve moms and dads with unique roles (or at least a set of male and female parents guiding the children).
0% of 31,173 Bible verses refer to homosexual behavior in a positive or even benign way or even hint at the acceptability of homosexual unions of any kind.
* The three general types of pro-gay theology people:
1. “The Bible says homosexuality is wrong but it isn’t the word of God” (obviously these are non-Christians)
2. “The Bible says it is wrong but God changed his mind and is only telling theological Liberals”
3. “The Bible is the word of God but you are just misunderstanding it” (Uh, no, not really.)
These groups that accommodate to the insane are more insane, perhaps. For sure they are abandoning whateve help they could provide. Pretend churches invariably ally or submit to Islam.
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