California evangelical seminary ponders changes that would make it more welcoming to LGBTQ students

Associated Press ^ | 05/27/2024 | DEEPA BHARATH

[SeekAndFind]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fuller Theological Seminary, an evangelical school in Pasadena, California, is deliberating whether to become more open to LGBTQ+ students who previously faced possible expulsion if found to be in a same-sex union. That’s according to a draft of proposed revisions to the seminary’s sexual standards that was obtained by The Associated Press.

If the board votes to approve these revisions, Fuller could become the first evangelical seminary in the country to adopt standards acknowledging the diversity of thought among Christians pertaining to human sexuality, according to retired professor John Hawthorne, an expert on Christian colleges.

Such a decision would carry Fuller into uncharted territory, Hawthorne said. “It’s a bold step for a school that fought off lawsuits on this very issue a few years ago.”

At the same time, several current and former students and faculty believe this move would preserve Fuller’s existing status as a “third space” where Christians with diverse views on sexuality are welcome — a space that has been shrinking nationally amid increasing political polarization on the issue.

Fuller issued a statement Thursday saying the deliberations on this topic are ongoing and drafts of possible revisions have been created solely for discussion and reflection. It says no proposals have been submitted to trustees for a vote and it is unclear when the board might even consider the matter.

Hawthorne, whose upcoming book argues that Christian colleges should put students front and center instead of worrying about critics, anticipates “significant blowback” from conservative Christians should Fuller move forward with the revisions.

“I hope they have a plan on how to manage the aftermath, the storm, when it comes,” he said.

[The Unknown Republican]

They’ve been graduating egalitarians for at least three decades. Egalitarianism is the entry point for all manner of heresy. This is a predictable result.

[chopperk]

An Evangelical Drag Queen is all the seminary needs.

[married21]

Maybe they want to increase enrollment? I met a professor from Fuller last year. I asked about enrollment during his decades of teaching there. It’s way down. Like a quarter of what it was in the 90s. He said people who want a ministering type career just become a counselor in a government or nonprofit now. Not as risky as becoming a pastor who can be fired by a grumpy congregation.

[SaveFerris]

(newer version which includes verse 32) - both images posted
for effect - to wake up some small part of a dying world

[fwdude]

Fuller went off the rails over a decade ago. Everything since then has been just the expected resultant rot.

[fwdude]

Ah, the “third space” fallacy.

But as soon as they gain the ascendancy, all conservative “conversations” will be banned, as they are being now banned in the United Methodist Church.