Fuller Theological Seminary’s decision to affirm the biblical definition of marriage while asserting that “faithful Christians” can disagree is an attempt to chart a “third way” in the same-sex marriage debate -- a path that doesn’t exist, says one of the nation’s leading theologians. The board of trustees for the non-denominational seminary voted last week to reaffirm its historic theological stance on marriage and human sexuality -- defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, with sexual intimacy reserved for that covenant relationship.

At the same time, the board voted to “acknowledge that faithful Christians -- through prayerful study, spiritual discernment, and lived experience -- have come to affirm other covenantal forms of relationship,” Fuller President David Goatley wrote in an email to alumni and supporters.

More than a dozen faculty members belong to LGBTQ-affirming churches, according to Christianity Today, and one of those faculty members -- Christopher Hays -- recently co-authored a book, The Widening of God’s Mercy, advocating for the affirmation of same-sex relationships.

“Fuller Seminary has historically shunned ideological polarities,” Goatley wrote. “We continue to seek another way -- a Fuller way -- that is a critical contribution to the church and the world.”

Board chair Shirley Mullen defended the board’s action.

“This is a signal that Fuller is Fuller, Fuller will be Fuller,” Mullen told Christianity Today. “Fuller has sought to be a seminary that transcends the polarization of the moment. … We will be criticized by both sides, but we want to complicate the polarization and call people to the richness of the gospel.”

But Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the nation’s leading theologians, said there is no “middle ground” in the divide over marriage’s definition.

“Christians need to understand this is an essential issue,” Mohler said on his podcast, The Briefing. “This is a fundamental issue. There are people who are trying to say, ‘Well, we can agree to disagree on any number of issues.’ …This is not something upon which we can agree to disagree. The Bible is just too clear. The teachings are very, very clear. They’re transparent. The Christian church has understood them clearly through centuries. It is only in modern times under social activism with a very clear agenda of the sexual revolution that there’s been a reconsideration of these things.”

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