Cedars, October 2017

October 2017 8 CAMPUS by Zach Krauss E ight Cedarville University profes- sors, including President Dr. Thom- as White, reiterated their beliefs on sexuality by signing the Nashville Statement after it was drafted in August. Other Cedarville affiliated signatories included White’s wife, Joy, assistant profes- sor of women’s studies; Dr. DanDeWitt, pro- fessor of applied theology and apologetics; Dr. Jason Lee, dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies; Sam Allberry, visit- ing professor and speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries; Dr. Timothy Tuins- tra, professor of electrical engineering; Erin Shaw, instructor of women’s ministry; and Jason French, assistant professor of worship. The Nashville Statement is a Christian statement of faith regarding biblical human sexuality. The document was written by several people closely associated with the Council of Biblical Manhood and Woman- hood with a co-sponsorship with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The finalization of the text of the Nash- ville Statement took place at the ERLC na- tional conference in August. This national meeting occurred in Nashville, which is the reason behind the document’s name. The Nashville Statement was written in response to the revision of cultural mo- rality. The statement’s preamble states that “Western culture has become increasingly post-Christian” and that “it has embarked upon a massive revision of what it means to be a human being.” The statement comes years after the Danvers Statement, a 1988 statement similar in nature that focused primarily on gender roles. The new statement discusses gender roles but also talks about transgenderism, homosexuality, biblical marriage, and the biblical difference between men and wom- en. It also stresses the powerful grace of God to save those who chase after Him, iterating that even those struggling with the lifestyles denied in the statement can receive grace and sanctification through Jesus Christ. The document is a reiteration of beliefs that are reflected in the doctrinal statement at Cedarville, which means it reflects the be- liefs of many professors at Cedarville. DeWitt was one of the initial signers. As a member of the ERLC, Dewitt was able to provide feedback and input on the docu- ment before it was published. DeWitt said he doesn’t believe the document will drastically affect the way he teaches or interacts with others, but that it already reflects his current mindset. “It’s our prayer that as followers of Jesus that we speak the truth in love,” DeWitt said. “This means that we speak the truth, without compromise, but that we also speak in love.” White was also one of the initial signers. He first learned of the document through Professors Sign to State Truth Eight Cedarville University professors sign Nashville Statement on biblical sexuality Photo courtesy of President’s Office Cedarville President Dr. Thomas White signed the Nashville Statement. “We shouldn’t shy away from speaking truth, but we can’t leave it there,” White said.