WND EXCLUSIVE
SAME-SEX ATTRACTION 'SAFE SPACE' – AT BIBLE COLLEGE!
'Students can journey together to live authentically and lovingly'
Bob Unruh
Biola University, considered one of the most conservative evangelical Christian universities in the nation, has announced the creation of a “purposeful, community-focused program” for students with same-sex attractions.
A spokesman told WND the program does not in any way conflict with the doctrinal statement that, in italics and bold-face type on its website, affirms, “Biblical marriage consists only of a faithful, heterosexual union between one genetic male and one genetic female, and biblical marriage is the only legitimate and acceptable context for a sexual relationship.”
The Web page for the new program, called Sustinere, explains that students with same-sex attractions typically don’t feel free to talk about their experiences and feel unsupported in their community.
The program “will seek to provide a caring and supportive community where students can journey together to live authentically and lovingly with same-sex sexual attractions, orientations, and identities.”
Asked whether that means Biola has concluded that people with same-sex attractions are “born that way,” Matthew Hooper, the associate dean of students for student development, told WND no.
Biola’s belief that same-sex behavior is a sin is stated throughout its position papers and is taught in the classroom, he said.
However, he told WND a statement may need to be posted on the new program’s Web page, which provides no indication that same-sex activity is not approved.
The page explains that the program, which is launching this fall, will be a “caring and supportive community.”
“Led by staff/faculty advisers and student leaders, the group will aspire to be a safe space for students who experience enduring same-sex attractions or identify as having a same-sex sexual orientation or identity.”
The program will feature a monthly gathering, advisers and other “community” participants.
“Safety” will be “promoted through sharing one’s story.”
“In order to promote safety within the group, a student seeking participation will meet with a student leader before being invited into the group. This process is necessary to ensure that all who attend will be respectful and supportive of the other participants within the group.”
Also the community will focus on allowing “members to share their thoughts and experiences.” Possible discussion starters include friendship, emotional health, family dynamics, affection, church experience, loneliness, belonging, spiritual formation and biblical interpretation.
Hooper said the group was started because there are a growing number of Christian students coming to campus who are “navigating same-sex attractions.”
He said the group is where “students who are navigating that reality can be open about that.”
Same-sex attractions, he said, are “a burden for students.”
“We’re not compromising at all our position, biblical position of marriage,” he told WND, so while the “community” reaches out to those with same-sex attraction, the message will be abstinence and rejection of the lifestyle.
“Every human person is broken by sin. Every human sexuality is broken by sin. What we want to do is walk with students … regardless of what they’re navigating regarding their sexuality,” he said.
He pointed out there are differing views among Christian organizations these days about the theology of same-sex attractions.
He said Biola regulates “romantic relationships” to the point that abstaining is the answer for many on campus.
“Students know that’s what our position is,” he said.
He said the school also has an organization to respond to sexually addictive behaviors.
Biola, founded in 1908, consistently ranks in the nation’s top Christian schools with its 150 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
It enrolls about 6,000 students on its La Mirada campus, online and in distance programs.
Its doctrinal statement, besides addressing marriage specifically, affirms the Bible as the word of God, without error or misstatement.
“There is one God, eternally existing and manifesting Himself to us in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus was supernaturally conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin – Mary, a lineal descendant of David. He lived and taught and wrought mighty works and wonders and signs exactly as is recorded in the four Gospels. He was put to death by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. God raised from the dead the body that had been nailed to the cross. The Lord Jesus after His crucifixion showed Himself to be alive to His disciples, appearing unto them by the space of 40 days. After this, the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven, and the Father caused Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church,” it states.
It also states the Bible “is clear in its teaching on the sanctity of life.”
“Life begins at conception. We abhor the destruction of innocent human life through abortion on demand, infanticide or euthanasia as unbiblical and contrary to God’s will. Life is precious and in God’s hands.”
The U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 created same-sex “marriage,” a decision that has been criticized as unconnected to the Constitution by some members the court.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2016/09/same-sex-attraction-safe-space-at-bible-college/#Iy56PU8OWrybLzSo.99
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