Regent College Nixes CBMW -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 01:1 (Aug 1995)
Article: Regent College Nixes CBMW
Author: Anonymous


Regent College Nixes CBMW

GOD HAS BLESSED REGENT COLLEGE, Vancouver, with a fruitful ministry to the worldwide work of God for many years. We are thankful for the outstanding contributions their faculty have made to evangelical scholarship. But we do regret a recent decision not to allow a CBMW spokesman to speak on campus.

Wayne Grudem, CBMW President, spoke on theological issues related to manhood and womanhood in May, 1994 at Regent. Over eighty students and interested friends attended these lectures, which were sponsored by the Regent Student Council.

One prominent student leader commented that Grudem’s irenic presentation made many friends, and, even more importantly, no enemies. Another student, attorney Phil Craig from Atlanta, wrote that Dr. Grudem’s visit “was the highlight of my time at Regent.” Students remarked that previous campus speakers had promoted the egalitarian perspective, and that in their experience, the complementarian view had not been expressed in any extended forum on campus.

Later, a small controversy arose when students invited Grudem to return. The administration was now unwilling to provide a forum in which Grudem could speak. These students sought redress through traditional channels and collected over 100 signatures on a petition. Finally in December, it became clear to organizing students that the administration of Regent College would not allow Grudem or other outside speakers to address the issue of women in ministry.In a July letter of explanation to CBMW, Regent President Walter Wright indicated that the school values “modelling a community of learning where diversity is accepted and where issues can be discussed theologically, intellectually and in a spirit of love ”.

CBMW attaches high value to a noble, winsome approach to engaging others in debate over this issue. Gentleness with firm conviction has been our hallmark as we have appealed for conciliation and cooperation wherever possible.

For example, readers may consult the booklet, “Can our Differences be Settled?” in which we appeal to evangelical feminists for clarity in position and charity in spirit with the hope of maintaining relationships with evangelical brothers and sisters who differ.

We hope that things may change at Regent so that an outside speaker could represent the position of CBMW on campus in the future.

...
You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()