‘Dating’ author Harris renounces

Faith

Writer and former pastor Joshua Harris apologized in July to the LGBT community for his previous teaching on sexuality and marriage.

The author of “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” also marched in Vancouver’s annual Pride Parade, posting photos on Instagram of the event, including one with a rainbow donut (right).

“To the LGBTQ+ community, I want to say that I am sorry for the views that I taught in my books and as a pastor regarding sexuality,” Harris wrote July 26. “I regret standing against marriage equality, for not affirming you and your place in the church, and for any ways that my writing and speaking contributed to a culture of exclusion and bigotry. I hope you can forgive me.”

Harris, who had earlier announced his separation from his wife of 20 years, also said he’s no longer a Christian. “By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian,” wrote the former pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Md. “Many people tell me that there is a different way to practice faith and I want to remain open to this, but I’m not there now.”

Baylor students seek LGBT review

Students at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, have asked the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Big 12 Conference to investigate the Baptist school’s treatment of LGBT students and compliance with Title XI civil rights law. The student group includes members of gay club Gamma Alpha Upsilon, which has sought recognition as an official on-campus student group since 2011, The Christian Post reported.

“Baylor is committed to providing a loving and caring community for all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ,” a university spokesperson said in a statement addressing the charges. “We believe that Baylor is in a unique position to meet the needs of our LGBTQ students because of our Christian mission and the significant campus-wide support we already provide to all students.”

Baylor, the country’s largest Baptist university, is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

– Christian Post

Village Church sued

A Southern Baptist church in Texas is facing a $1 million lawsuit that claims it hasn’t done enough to resolve sexual assault that occurred at a church camp in 2012. The suit against The Village Church says the church acted with “conscious indifference or reckless disregard” for a woman referred to as Jane Doe. Former Village staff member Matthew Tonne was arrested in January on charges of indecency with a child and is awaiting trial, The Dallas Morning News reported in July.

Village Church pastor Matt Chandler addressed the incident at the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham in June, stating, “I guarantee we’re not navigating this perfectly, but we’re doing the best we know how.” He urged churches to seek outside counsel on issues related to abuse.

Seminary denies liability

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit claiming the school has a responsibility to protect students from sexual assault, and to train them to avoid such a risk. The suit was filed by “Jane Roe,” a former student who claims she was raped on campus at gunpoint by a student the seminary employed.

Former SWBTS President Paige Patterson, whose employment was terminated in 2018 amid allegations he mishandled charges of sexual assault at the school, is also named as a defendant in the case.

Film sparks debate

A promo for an upcoming documentary about liberal drift in the Southern Baptist Convention compelled some leaders to distance themselves from the project. The trailer for “By What Standard,” an upcoming film by Founders Ministries, also led to the resignations of three board members from Founders, a Calvinist group with roots in the SBC.

The trailer’s seemingly negative tone toward prominent advocates of sexual abuse survivors and racial reconciliation concerned leaders like Southeastern Seminary President Danny Akin, who was interviewed for “By What Standard” but asked to be removed from it after the trailer was released.

“At this important time in our Convention, we have an opportunity to model what it means to be part of the Kingdom of Christ: peaceable, gracious, and fair, even in our disagreements,” Akin posted on Twitter. “I hope my brothers will reconsider their strategy for communicating our deeply held Southern Baptist conviction that the Bible is our sole foundation and authority for all of life and faith.”

– The Dallas Morning News, Baptist Press

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