Can one believe in the inerrancy of the Bible and the Triune nature of God and not be an evangelical? That's a key issue behind efforts officially introduced today to amend the doctrinal basis of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS).
"Right now, someone can deny the humanity of Christ and still be a member of ETS," said Ray Van Neste, professor of Christian studies at Union University in Jackson. "This is about safeguarding the evangelical character of the organization."
However, Van Neste says he does not see an onslaught of ETS members who hold heretical beliefs, and does not want a revised statement to launch dozens of challenges against theologians' memberships. He sees the effort as a long-term strategy to ensure commitment to evangelical essentials.
The society was divided during several meetings earlier this decade over whether to expel theologians Clark Pinnock and John Sanders from the group for their views of God's foreknowledge. The votes to expel them failed in 2003. Twenty ...
1
Support Our Work
Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month