Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
On October 6th, Time Magazine posted a misleading article about InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s (IVCF) stance on human sexuality and its statement of faith. IVCF believes Christlikeness includes Scripture’s teachings on both human sexuality and the dignity of all people—including LGBTQI individuals, because they are made in God’s image. Greg Jao, IVCF vice president and director of campus engagement, states on IVCF’s website that:
“While some will argue this cannot be done, we believe that we must if we are to be faithful followers of Jesus. As we reiterated our theological position, we also invested significantly in developing resources to serve the LGBTQI community with greater grace and integrity. Within InterVarsity and elsewhere, there are LGBTQI people who agree with this theology, at great personal cost. We are learning together to follow Jesus.”
Greg acknowledges that certain members of our staff, if they choose to stay on with IVCF, will have to remain celibate and refrain from teaching students and faculty anything contrary to our biblical-based statement of faith. This is not a revised position that targets those with same-sex attraction. In fact, since the founding of our organization, all staff (regardless of their sexual orientation) have been required to annually renew their commitment to IVCF’s statement of faith and abstain from any sexual activity outside a monogamous marriage between a man and a woman. More to the point, all of us who wholeheartedly seek to follow Jesus do so “at great personal cost.” This is the way of the Cross. So as we approach this season of Thanksgiving, let us give thanks to the Son of God who lived and died in perfect obedience to the Father—the ultimate expression of holy love!
If you are interested in learning more about what IVCF truly believes and practices, here’s a more balanced report in Christianity Today.
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