Posted on 12/31/2023 4:18:57 PM PST by Morgana
Christianity Today, under the purposeful leadership of Russell Moore, continues its slow descent into spiritual stupidity, outraging conservatives twice in one week (and getting social media traffic for the first time in forever) after first claiming that Jesus was Asian and now by suggesting there’s nothing wrong with using personal pronouns.
In the article, The Christian Post recounts the termination of two professors from Houghton University, a private Christian University in New York associated with a conservative faction of the Wesleyan Church, for refusing to remove their personal pronouns from their email signatures, then delves into a lengthy discussion on the issue of personal pronouns.
Notably, author Kata Bettis Carvalho predominantly features people and organizations advocating for their use and making the case for their consideration, as opposed to only a few dissenting voices. While the Carvalho doesn’t expressly advocate for their use personally, the three statements that have appeared to engender the most discussion and fallout include those suggesting faithful Christians on either sides can disagree on the matter.
While some evangelical Christians don’t mind identifying their pronouns, others believe that doing so—or referring to someone by a pronoun that doesn’t match their birth sex—makes inherent ontological claims that should not be glossed over.
and:
….The discussion over pronouns goes beyond “virtue signaling” or “political correctness.” Christians who have thought deeply about this issue understand the role of language in shaping reality and thought and believe it’s central in how we treat people as image-bearers of worth and value.
and:
As declaring pronouns becomes more ubiquitous, what’s a Christian to do? Christian leaders who hold a spectrum of opinions agreed: Everything is changing so fast, we’re figuring it out together, and we should give each other grace.
Thankfully, the article resulted in near universal condemnation, with some folks writing:
Backround on the two fired profs”: Though some alumni were upset about the ordeal, promoting a petition that accumulated several hundred signatures, it appears that Houghton is in the process of righting some wrongs. Two years ago, they rescinded recognition of an on-campus LGBTQ support group after it refused to promote biblical notions of sex and gender.
Petition organizers specifically requested that the institution “acknowledge that there is a range of views reasonably held by faithful and active Christians on topics of gender, sexuality, and race. In practice, this would mean a broadened understanding of the views that are acceptable for staff, faculty, and chapel speakers to hold and express.” In a letter sent to petition organizers and alums, however, Houghton President Wayne Lewis was adamant about the University’s position and denied their request, writing:
Now, I will not sign your statement of affirmation. I have been consistently and explicitly clear about my priorities and the direction of the university. Houghton provides an intentionally Christ-centered, academically challenging education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and backgrounds….
Using the language of your affirmation, I will not “broaden [Houghton’s] understanding of the views that are acceptable for staff, faculty, and chapel speakers to hold and express.”…. We do, however, require as a condition of employment that all employees be respectful of the positions, doctrine, and beliefs of the university. However, Houghton unapologetically privileges an orthodox Christian worldview, rooted in the Wesleyan theological tradition. (which states ‘we privilege the understanding of marriage as between a man and a woman, and the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.”)
**tweet images on link***
The commie Rats took over every publication
Christianity Today is somewhat worthless.
And young folks on the Right should employee the same tactics and retake the publications, the education system and media.
Mixed feelings about personal pronouns. With non-western names, it can be difficult in online communications to know whether to refer to someone as ‘he’ or ‘she’. And even when dealing with Anglo-Saxons in America, some parents are now giving silly, or just gender bending names.
I got my hackles up when HR required us to identify our pronouns on our personnel records (they don’t require it on communications yet) but then decided I’m not ashamed that my anatomy matches my name.
‘
My pronouns are Me, I, Myself (Maybe more along this line).
When I use prounouns like He, Him, I am describing others, not me.
So, you can probably call me what you want - I’ll respond when the pronoun gender matches my sex.
They both have unusual names of indeterminate gender/sex. They could use the tried and true Mr, Mrs, Miss or even Ms if they feel it necessary to indicate their sex, followed by the abbreviation for whatever degree they have.
Explain to HR that you identify as “His Royal Highness” and expect an immediate 50% raise if they refuse to comply and disrespect you.
;-)
Worthless?
You don’t have birds, or an outhouse?
Wasn’t ready to get fired that day.
When you are ready to “move on up” out of their plantation—go for it!
(I am so glad I am retired—I have zero patience for woke wackiness.)
Not the “far east”, not the “near east”, but the “mid-east”.
The long march through the institutions proceeds apace.
(I am so glad I am retired—I have zero patience for woke wackiness.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I will never under any circumstances stand for any abuse in regard to this nonsense, because I will ALWAYS use whatever pronoun has traditionally been used in reference to the gender of the person I’m either referring to or addressing personally.
Ping
exactly & hopefully
its ok to guess
no penalty for getting it wrong
I know Houghton, and some of its alumni, well. Visit often. It’s had its up and downs and struggles to stay Bible based.
(BTW, a nefarious graduate is Deborah Birx.)
“Christianity Today is somewhat worthless.”
And liars. From someone I know who works at Houghton:
“Those 2 “professors” were not professors, they were RAs.”
Neither, I do pastor a church however, that believes the truth; which you will rarely, if ever find in Christianity Today.
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