Liberal Theology Schools

                                                                                                                         Vol. VII, No. 6, August 1994

Mercer Approves School of Theology:

Mercer University's trustees on June 28 approved plans to establish a school of theology. The opening of the school of theology will depend upon how quickly necessary funds can be obtained, although President Kirby R. Godsey said, "the school should aim to enroll students in the fall of 1996." Plans call for the school to enroll 50 students each year for a total enrollment of 150. Among the "founding principles" approved by Mercer trustees are "(4) The school should be devoted to the preparation of men and women who combine the call of God's Spirit with the intellectual gifts, the emotional maturity, and the spiritual discipline to become effective and responsible pastors and leaders in ministry. (5) The school should be inclusive in spirit and practice, affirming the open search for truth, and fostering tolerance for religious and intellectual diversity." [BP]

 [Editorial Comment: Readers will recognize this as another step by moderate/liberals to build a separate denomination. Note the clearly liberal cast of the two principles quoted above: First, the school will train female pastors. Second, the school will be "inclusive," a favorite liberal buzzword, will affirm "the open search for truth" (which implies the Bible is insufficient or obscure in its presentation of truth), and will foster "tolerance for religious and intellectual diversity" – which leads ultimately to universalism and the death of missions. After all, if all religions lead to God, why evangelize?]

CBF & American Baptist Seminary:

The Board of Directors of Central Baptist Seminary, the American Baptist school in Kansas City, Kan., reaffirmed theirseminary's covenant with the "Cooperative Baptist Fellowship," the break-away group of former Southern Baptists. Students affiliated with a CBF church would be charged the same discounted tuition as enjoyed by American Baptist students. [Word & Way, 9 June 1994.]