denny burk |
Denny Burk is a Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate arm of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He also serves as an Associate Pastor at Kenwood Baptist Church, which is in Louisville as well. Burk joined the faculty of Boyce College and Southern Seminary in 2008. He serves as the director of the Center for Gospel and Culture. Burk writes frequently on biblical and theological topics. He is the author of a book on sexual ethics titled What Is the Meaning of Sex? as well as a book on Greek grammar entitled Articular Infinitives in the Greek of the New Testament. He has written articles that have appeared in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament, Tyndale Bulletin, Bulletin for Biblical Research, and the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
Denny Burk
As has been widely reported this week, Andy Stanley and North Point Community Church recently hosted an LGBTQ-affirming event called the Unconditional Conference. The church’s pastor Andy Stanley defended the conference in his Sunday morning message. He also argued that following Christ might be “unsustainable” for some Christians but that churches should nevertheless recognize them as true followers of Christ. If that seems like a contradiction, that’s because it is.
And that’s precisely the problem with Stanley’s approach. It’s fundamentally at odds with the Christian faith. Anyone who claims to follow Christ but then denies him by their deeds is lying, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4-5). In such cases, Churches must not recognize nor treat such unrepentant sinners as born again. To do so would be unfaithful to Christ, but that is apparently what Andy Stanley and North Point are doing.
--Denny Burk; Christians Cannot “Agree to Disagree” with Wolves 10.5.23
And that’s precisely the problem with Stanley’s approach. It’s fundamentally at odds with the Christian faith. Anyone who claims to follow Christ but then denies him by their deeds is lying, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4-5). In such cases, Churches must not recognize nor treat such unrepentant sinners as born again. To do so would be unfaithful to Christ, but that is apparently what Andy Stanley and North Point are doing.
--Denny Burk; Christians Cannot “Agree to Disagree” with Wolves 10.5.23
Denny Burk
John 1:16-18, “16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace in place of grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”
What do it mean that no man has seen God at any time? Moses spoke with God mouth to mouth, face to face. Well, sort of. Moses knew that he wasn’t seeing the full blazing glory of God and asked God to let him see it in Exodus 33. But God said, No man can see my full glory and live. Not even you, Moses. So I’m gonna let my glory pass you by, but I will hide you in the cleft of the rock so that you don’t get incinerated by my unmediated glory.
Sure, Moses saw more than anyone ever had, but not even Moses saw full glory. But now we have Jesus. The only begotten God, who not only sees the unmitigated glory. He is the unmitigated glory of God! Moses is not the mountaintop. Jesus is the mountaintop of God’s revelation. You may have seen Moses, but you haven’t seen anything yet if you haven’t seen Jesus. Jesus alone is the only-begotten God in the bosom of the Father who explains the Father. Only Jesus can say, as he does in John 14, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” --Denny Burk; Saving the Best for Last — John 2:1-11 8.15.23
What do it mean that no man has seen God at any time? Moses spoke with God mouth to mouth, face to face. Well, sort of. Moses knew that he wasn’t seeing the full blazing glory of God and asked God to let him see it in Exodus 33. But God said, No man can see my full glory and live. Not even you, Moses. So I’m gonna let my glory pass you by, but I will hide you in the cleft of the rock so that you don’t get incinerated by my unmediated glory.
Sure, Moses saw more than anyone ever had, but not even Moses saw full glory. But now we have Jesus. The only begotten God, who not only sees the unmitigated glory. He is the unmitigated glory of God! Moses is not the mountaintop. Jesus is the mountaintop of God’s revelation. You may have seen Moses, but you haven’t seen anything yet if you haven’t seen Jesus. Jesus alone is the only-begotten God in the bosom of the Father who explains the Father. Only Jesus can say, as he does in John 14, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” --Denny Burk; Saving the Best for Last — John 2:1-11 8.15.23
What happens when you tweet in 2023 that God is not “feminine”?
Denny Burk, a professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, found out firsthand after he shared a few quotes from the book The Christian Family, written by Dutch Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck. In a blog post Monday, Burk shared a statement from Bavinck in which the author wrote, “God is never portrayed or presented as being feminine” in the pages of Scripture. After receiving “a lot of negative interaction” following the tweet, Burk offered additional context for Bavinck’s statement in which Bavinck discusses how the Bible portrays God with respect to the exclusiveness of sexual characteristics. --Ian M Giatti; Christian Post: Christian prof faces backlash on Twitter for sharing theologian's quote saying God is not 'feminine' 1.12.23
Denny Burk, a professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, found out firsthand after he shared a few quotes from the book The Christian Family, written by Dutch Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck. In a blog post Monday, Burk shared a statement from Bavinck in which the author wrote, “God is never portrayed or presented as being feminine” in the pages of Scripture. After receiving “a lot of negative interaction” following the tweet, Burk offered additional context for Bavinck’s statement in which Bavinck discusses how the Bible portrays God with respect to the exclusiveness of sexual characteristics. --Ian M Giatti; Christian Post: Christian prof faces backlash on Twitter for sharing theologian's quote saying God is not 'feminine' 1.12.23
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June 30, 2023: Christian Post: Elevation Church withdraws affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention
The letter did not state a reason for the decision. Some Southern Baptists like Denny Burke, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, surmise that it could likely be due to a recent vote by messengers at the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans to ban women from serving as a "pastor of any kind." March 24, 2023: Christian Post: Docs show churches paid up to $100K to be part of Hillsong Family, an alleged honorarium scheme
In response, Denny Burk, an SBC seminary professor and leader of the strict complementarianism movement, accused Warren of playing the race card. “Our unity is in what we confess, not in the color of our skin,” Burk said. |
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I saw an interview on Friday that piqued my interest about the world of Gothard and the Duggars. Allie Beth Stuckey interviewed one of the adult daughters of the Duggars, Jinger (see below). Jinger has just written a book detailing her life as a Gothardite and her recent renunciation of his teaching. It’s titled Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear (Thomas Nelson, 2023). After watching the interview two days ago, I bought the book and devoured it. I could hardly put it down.
The book is not a lurid behind-the-scenes tell-all about the Duggars. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is not your book. Rather, it’s a theological memoir—a testimonial of how Jinger broke free from the legalism and destructive false teaching of Bill Gothard. Jinger’s account is a devastating exposé of Gothard’s work. Jinger describes his movement in almost cult-like terms. From his legalism to his tortured proof-texting to his unbiblical views about authority and women, the guy comes across as an oppressive nutter. Jinger writes that the man who insisted women should not work outside the home made an exception for the constant rotation of attractive “Gothard girls” that worked for his ministry. Even worse, Gothard has since been accused by 34 women of sexual harassment, four of whom alleged molestation.
Growing up Duggar, Jinger knew nothing of the sordid details of Gothard’s ministry. In the dark, she remained as devoted a follower of Gothard as there has ever been. She believed his “seven pillars” were the key to life and happiness, and she pitied outsiders who didn’t know the truth like she did. Gothard himself became a close family friend and even visited the Duggars’ home. Jinger viewed Gothard as a prophet and man of God and revered him and his teaching throughout her childhood and early adulthood.
Nevertheless, Jinger’s faith in Gothard’s teaching began to crumble after she met the man who would become her husband, Jeremy Vuolo. Jeremy was a former professional soccer player and had travelled the world by the time he met Jinger. He was also raised as a reformed Baptist in a church that actually took the Bible seriously. He was an outsider to the Duggars and their Gothardite sect. For that reason, Jinger’s father had Jeremy take a crash course in the family faith, which resulted in Jeremy listening to over 60 hours of teaching from Gothard’s ministry. --Denny Burk; Jinger Duggar Vuolo Takes on Bill Gothard… and Wins 2.6.23
The book is not a lurid behind-the-scenes tell-all about the Duggars. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is not your book. Rather, it’s a theological memoir—a testimonial of how Jinger broke free from the legalism and destructive false teaching of Bill Gothard. Jinger’s account is a devastating exposé of Gothard’s work. Jinger describes his movement in almost cult-like terms. From his legalism to his tortured proof-texting to his unbiblical views about authority and women, the guy comes across as an oppressive nutter. Jinger writes that the man who insisted women should not work outside the home made an exception for the constant rotation of attractive “Gothard girls” that worked for his ministry. Even worse, Gothard has since been accused by 34 women of sexual harassment, four of whom alleged molestation.
Growing up Duggar, Jinger knew nothing of the sordid details of Gothard’s ministry. In the dark, she remained as devoted a follower of Gothard as there has ever been. She believed his “seven pillars” were the key to life and happiness, and she pitied outsiders who didn’t know the truth like she did. Gothard himself became a close family friend and even visited the Duggars’ home. Jinger viewed Gothard as a prophet and man of God and revered him and his teaching throughout her childhood and early adulthood.
Nevertheless, Jinger’s faith in Gothard’s teaching began to crumble after she met the man who would become her husband, Jeremy Vuolo. Jeremy was a former professional soccer player and had travelled the world by the time he met Jinger. He was also raised as a reformed Baptist in a church that actually took the Bible seriously. He was an outsider to the Duggars and their Gothardite sect. For that reason, Jinger’s father had Jeremy take a crash course in the family faith, which resulted in Jeremy listening to over 60 hours of teaching from Gothard’s ministry. --Denny Burk; Jinger Duggar Vuolo Takes on Bill Gothard… and Wins 2.6.23
Nov 19, 2022: Denny Burk: What Happened at the Rocky Mountain ETS?
Another annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) is now in the books. We met in Denver, Colorado this year, and it was a really good week. For those of you unfamiliar with ETS, it is a society of theologians and biblical scholars who are dedicated to biblical inerrancy and a belief in the Trinity. At the annual meeting, members come together to present academic papers, meet with publishers, and catch up with old friends. Keep in mind that I only experienced a narrow slice of things, but here are my reflections on what I saw.
Another annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) is now in the books. We met in Denver, Colorado this year, and it was a really good week. For those of you unfamiliar with ETS, it is a society of theologians and biblical scholars who are dedicated to biblical inerrancy and a belief in the Trinity. At the annual meeting, members come together to present academic papers, meet with publishers, and catch up with old friends. Keep in mind that I only experienced a narrow slice of things, but here are my reflections on what I saw.
Feb 11, 2022: The Pathway: CBMW’s Denny Burk warns Bible’s ‘vision of manhood, womanhood, sexuality is under assault’
A worldview called expressive individualism drives much of the cultural change that we’ve witnessed over the last several decades on issues of sexuality. “Expressive individualism holds that human beings are defined by their individual psychological core, and that the purpose of life is allowing that core to find social expression in relationships. Anything that challenges it is deemed oppressive” (Carl Trueman). This notion of the self has deep roots in the western philosophical tradition. In the aftermath of the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s, however, this idea really took off and today functions like religious dogma among secular people. The result is that many people in our culture really do believe that their sexual desires and self-concept of their gender comprise their deepest and truest self.
A worldview called expressive individualism drives much of the cultural change that we’ve witnessed over the last several decades on issues of sexuality. “Expressive individualism holds that human beings are defined by their individual psychological core, and that the purpose of life is allowing that core to find social expression in relationships. Anything that challenges it is deemed oppressive” (Carl Trueman). This notion of the self has deep roots in the western philosophical tradition. In the aftermath of the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s, however, this idea really took off and today functions like religious dogma among secular people. The result is that many people in our culture really do believe that their sexual desires and self-concept of their gender comprise their deepest and truest self.
July 23, 2021: Christian Headlines: Senate Committee Passes Bill That Would Force Women to Register for Draft
Denny Burk, director of the Center for Gospel and Culture at Boyce College in Louisville, Ky., tweeted, "No, Congress. You can't have my daughters. If you need someone that bad, I will go. But not them. If you come for them, we are going to have problems."
Denny Burk, director of the Center for Gospel and Culture at Boyce College in Louisville, Ky., tweeted, "No, Congress. You can't have my daughters. If you need someone that bad, I will go. But not them. If you come for them, we are going to have problems."
Feb 19, 2021: Southern Equip: Denny Burk: Does the BF&M Allow for Female Associate Pastors?
THE SHORT ANSWER IS THAT IT IDENTIFIES ONLY TWO OFFICES AND CATEGORICALLY LIMITS THE PASTORAL OFFICE TO QUALIFIED MEN. THE BASIS OF THIS LIMITATION IS NOT ARBITRARY BUT BASED ON GOD’S DESIGN AS IT IS REVEALED IN SCRIPTURE.
THE SHORT ANSWER IS THAT IT IDENTIFIES ONLY TWO OFFICES AND CATEGORICALLY LIMITS THE PASTORAL OFFICE TO QUALIFIED MEN. THE BASIS OF THIS LIMITATION IS NOT ARBITRARY BUT BASED ON GOD’S DESIGN AS IT IS REVEALED IN SCRIPTURE.
Aug 11, 2016: Reformation 21: What Denny Burk Could Do
Denny Burk, the new president of CBMW, has posted an update on his take-aways from the Trinity debate..........His desire to address gender issues stems in part from his work as an associate pastor at Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Burk told Baptist Press.
Denny Burk, the new president of CBMW, has posted an update on his take-aways from the Trinity debate..........His desire to address gender issues stems in part from his work as an associate pastor at Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Burk told Baptist Press.
July 20, 2016: Baptist Press: Biblical studies prof Denny Burk elected CBMW pres.
Biblical studies professor Denny Burk has been elected president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, an organization that helps believers understand and apply the Bible’s teaching on sexuality and gender.
Biblical studies professor Denny Burk has been elected president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, an organization that helps believers understand and apply the Bible’s teaching on sexuality and gender.
Oct 15, 2015: Denny Burk: DennyBurk: Boycotting gay weddings? A distorted take on an important book
In short, religious liberty took an epic beating last week. And the focus of the attack seems to be on evangelicals. Evangelicals are beginning to feel open disdain from our cultured despisers, who find our ancient faith to be freakish and out of step with post-sexual-revolution America. There is no “silent majority” for Christians to appeal to for succor. Evangelicals are a bona fide minority when it comes to our commitment to Jesus’ teaching about sexuality. It’s not merely that people don’t like our views. It’s also that people don’t like us because of our views. In fact, a recent poll has found that there are more people who view gay people favorably than there are that view evangelicals favorably.
I would suggest, however, that the heart of this controversy is not really about religious freedom. The heart of it is really about something much deeper. It is the same spiritual battle that has been unfolding since Genesis 3. Light has come into the world, and people love darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). God has revealed his purpose for our sexual lives—that all of our sexual experiences are to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage. People by and large have rejected God’s purpose and are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). They believe that anyone who continues to cling to God’s purposes is a threat to sexual liberty—which is perhaps the defining freedom of post-Christian America. In fact, they hold anyone who remains committed to the biblical vision—and to its consequences for their public lives—to be a threat to the common good. --Apr 7, 2015: Denny Burk: Reflecting on the Indiana RFRA and a final question for the cultured despisers of religion
In short, religious liberty took an epic beating last week. And the focus of the attack seems to be on evangelicals. Evangelicals are beginning to feel open disdain from our cultured despisers, who find our ancient faith to be freakish and out of step with post-sexual-revolution America. There is no “silent majority” for Christians to appeal to for succor. Evangelicals are a bona fide minority when it comes to our commitment to Jesus’ teaching about sexuality. It’s not merely that people don’t like our views. It’s also that people don’t like us because of our views. In fact, a recent poll has found that there are more people who view gay people favorably than there are that view evangelicals favorably.
I would suggest, however, that the heart of this controversy is not really about religious freedom. The heart of it is really about something much deeper. It is the same spiritual battle that has been unfolding since Genesis 3. Light has come into the world, and people love darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). God has revealed his purpose for our sexual lives—that all of our sexual experiences are to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage. People by and large have rejected God’s purpose and are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). They believe that anyone who continues to cling to God’s purposes is a threat to sexual liberty—which is perhaps the defining freedom of post-Christian America. In fact, they hold anyone who remains committed to the biblical vision—and to its consequences for their public lives—to be a threat to the common good. --Apr 7, 2015: Denny Burk: Reflecting on the Indiana RFRA and a final question for the cultured despisers of religion
Another excellent article from Denny Burk. In particular, Denny confirms Scriptural truth as the necessary foundation for determining pastoral care approaches:
“One can hardly bypass biblical truth in formulating a pastoral response to homosexuality. It would be like a doctor prescribing treatment before reaching a diagnosis. He can’t offer treatment if he doesn’t know what the problem is. And if he administers treatment based on a misdiagnosis, he will very likely harm the patient.”
As Christians, addressing these issues in the Church requires both compassion AND truth.
Denny also highlights the need for discernment and even separation when Christian pastors and teachers consider sharing speaking platforms with false teachers:
“Christian leaders have to be careful not to lend any credibility whatsoever to false teachers who are undermining the faith (Jude 3). Sometimes sharing a platform does just that. The apostle John says that “many deceivers have gone out into the world” who “do not abide in the teaching of Christ” (2 John 7, 9). John says that Christians have a responsibility to refuse all support for such teachers. Moreover, the congregation must not behave in any way that might indicate endorsement of their false teaching.”
If only more church leaders would heed Denny’s words.--Mar 24, 2015: Narrowing Path: Is the church failing gay Christians? by Denny Burk
“One can hardly bypass biblical truth in formulating a pastoral response to homosexuality. It would be like a doctor prescribing treatment before reaching a diagnosis. He can’t offer treatment if he doesn’t know what the problem is. And if he administers treatment based on a misdiagnosis, he will very likely harm the patient.”
As Christians, addressing these issues in the Church requires both compassion AND truth.
Denny also highlights the need for discernment and even separation when Christian pastors and teachers consider sharing speaking platforms with false teachers:
“Christian leaders have to be careful not to lend any credibility whatsoever to false teachers who are undermining the faith (Jude 3). Sometimes sharing a platform does just that. The apostle John says that “many deceivers have gone out into the world” who “do not abide in the teaching of Christ” (2 John 7, 9). John says that Christians have a responsibility to refuse all support for such teachers. Moreover, the congregation must not behave in any way that might indicate endorsement of their false teaching.”
If only more church leaders would heed Denny’s words.--Mar 24, 2015: Narrowing Path: Is the church failing gay Christians? by Denny Burk
Christians experiencing same-sex attraction should repent of those desires, but God can transform a person’s sexual identity, said panelists at the Evangelical Theological Society annual meeting, Nov. 19.
“This is what I would say to guys in my church, is 'If you are in the moment feeling an attraction for a person of the same sex, that's an occasion for repentance,'” said Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “'Well, I didn't choose that.' That's still an occasion for repentance.”
Burk presented a paper titled “Is Same-Sex Orientation Sinful?” and participated in a panel discussion on the issue with fellow lecturers Preston M. Sprinkle, vice president of Boise extension at Eternity Bible College, and Wesley Hill, assistant professor of New Testament at Trinity School for Ministry and self-described celibate gay Christian. -Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: Burk: Experience of same-sex attraction ‘occasion for repentance 12.5.14
“This is what I would say to guys in my church, is 'If you are in the moment feeling an attraction for a person of the same sex, that's an occasion for repentance,'” said Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “'Well, I didn't choose that.' That's still an occasion for repentance.”
Burk presented a paper titled “Is Same-Sex Orientation Sinful?” and participated in a panel discussion on the issue with fellow lecturers Preston M. Sprinkle, vice president of Boise extension at Eternity Bible College, and Wesley Hill, assistant professor of New Testament at Trinity School for Ministry and self-described celibate gay Christian. -Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: Burk: Experience of same-sex attraction ‘occasion for repentance 12.5.14
In the interests of showing that I am happy to receive "push-back" on articles, here is Denny Burk responding to my post, A Plea For Realism. Now, I only found out about this post today. But I have written two posts on the mode and subjects of baptism that attempt to deal with his concerns.
With that said, theological polemics in the form of showing a reductio ad absurdum, are quite commonplace in the Reformed tradition. We do not always need a proof-text for our views, even a proof-text that says you must be baptized before you take the Lord's Supper.
Denny seems like a fine chap, a good man, the type you'd enjoy having a beer with - well, maybe not a beer if the restrictions placed on Southern Baptist professors are true - over some frank theological discussion. Maybe one day?
Oct 7, 2014: Reformation 21: Denny Burk Responds
I had to Google Vicky Beeching because … what do I know about British stars of the American Christian rock scene?
Turns out there’s one named Vicky Beeching. Last week, via this article in Britain’s The Independent, Ms. Beeching came out of the closet.
I deleted the link at the end of the letter to me above, because it lead to a blog post about Ms. Beeching written by right-wing Christian and Al Mohler wanna-be Denny Burk, and I’m as interested in driving traffic to Denny Burk’s blog as I am in … well, eating at Denny’s. Except eating at Denny’s doesn’t make me nauseous.
Burk’s article is about how Christians who don’t believe that being gay is a sin are going to hell because God blah blah Jesus blah blah the Bible blah blah deception.
Aug 18, 2014: John Shore: Vicky Beeching and the “sin” of being gay
My friend Denny Burk (who teaches at Boyce College in Louisville, KY) has hit on an aspect of the recent discussion of ENDA (the Employment Non-discrimination Act) that thoughtful Christians ought to ponder.
Here’s what Denny says: “The ACLU and other groups supporting gay rights have announced that they are withdrawing their support for the Employment Non-discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA). ENDA is a controversial measure because the bill would make it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or sexual identity.”
Denny goes on to ask the question? “Why would the ACLU and gay rights groups remove their support for such a measure? Because the current form of the bill provides an exemption for religious employers. The ACLU et al. have decided that the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision gives too much ground to religious liberty. To curtail that trend, these groups will not support the bill as long as it offers broad exemptions to religious employers.”
Then he draws a conclusion: “What does that mean? Until the Hobby Lobby decision, these groups were fine with religious exemptions. In fact, ENDA’s exemptions are based in part on the 1964 Civil Rights Act. But now, that has changed. Christian Colleges, charities, hospitals beware. It does not matter if your organization has a religious mission. The Left is now declaring that you must not discriminate against employees that violate the religious principles of your organization.”
July 9, 2014: Ligon Duncan: Denny Burk on “A chilling new front in the war on religious liberty”
Tweets by DennyBurk
May 18, 2014: Thoughtlife: Is Rachel Held Evans’s Use of “God Herself” Biblically Faithful?
Grounding her attacks in an oft-cited instinct for justice, Evans has—by my count—mocked and opposed the following in just the last few years: The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, The Gospel Coalition, Together for the Gospel, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Seminary, Desiring God Ministries, Al Mohler, John Piper, Russell Moore, Tim Challies, Mark Driscoll, myself, Denny Burk, Andrew Walker, Doug Wilson, Jared Wilson, and the list goes on.
I’m surprised that a Christian intellectual with a mine mind as complex and as discerning as Robinson’s would buy that whole lazy “if Jesus didn’t say it, he must not have cared much about it” line. The Baptist theologian Denny Burk has a really good response to Robinson. Excerpt:
Jesus’ silence versus Paul’s explicit statements regarding homosexuality is completely understandable given their different contexts. Jesus lived and ministered in and around Judea primarily among Jews where there was basic agreement on the Torah’s prohibition of homosexual behavior. That is not to say that there were no homosexuals in Judea. It is to say that there was no great debate at the time about what the Bible taught about it. The apostle Paul, however, lived and ministered among Gentiles scattered throughout the Roman Empire. In the Greco-Roman world of Paul’s mission, the Torah was not the norm, and people by and large accepted homosexual behavior. It is no wonder, therefore, that Paul would have mentioned it explicitly (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10). Jesus’ alleged “silence” on the issue is evidence of his Jewish context not of his endorsement.
Plus, Burk points out that Jesus did, in fact, endorse marriage as one man and one woman. May 14, 2014: American Conservative: Jesus, Gay Marriage, & Red-Letter Christians
With that said, theological polemics in the form of showing a reductio ad absurdum, are quite commonplace in the Reformed tradition. We do not always need a proof-text for our views, even a proof-text that says you must be baptized before you take the Lord's Supper.
Denny seems like a fine chap, a good man, the type you'd enjoy having a beer with - well, maybe not a beer if the restrictions placed on Southern Baptist professors are true - over some frank theological discussion. Maybe one day?
Oct 7, 2014: Reformation 21: Denny Burk Responds
I had to Google Vicky Beeching because … what do I know about British stars of the American Christian rock scene?
Turns out there’s one named Vicky Beeching. Last week, via this article in Britain’s The Independent, Ms. Beeching came out of the closet.
I deleted the link at the end of the letter to me above, because it lead to a blog post about Ms. Beeching written by right-wing Christian and Al Mohler wanna-be Denny Burk, and I’m as interested in driving traffic to Denny Burk’s blog as I am in … well, eating at Denny’s. Except eating at Denny’s doesn’t make me nauseous.
Burk’s article is about how Christians who don’t believe that being gay is a sin are going to hell because God blah blah Jesus blah blah the Bible blah blah deception.
Aug 18, 2014: John Shore: Vicky Beeching and the “sin” of being gay
My friend Denny Burk (who teaches at Boyce College in Louisville, KY) has hit on an aspect of the recent discussion of ENDA (the Employment Non-discrimination Act) that thoughtful Christians ought to ponder.
Here’s what Denny says: “The ACLU and other groups supporting gay rights have announced that they are withdrawing their support for the Employment Non-discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA). ENDA is a controversial measure because the bill would make it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or sexual identity.”
Denny goes on to ask the question? “Why would the ACLU and gay rights groups remove their support for such a measure? Because the current form of the bill provides an exemption for religious employers. The ACLU et al. have decided that the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision gives too much ground to religious liberty. To curtail that trend, these groups will not support the bill as long as it offers broad exemptions to religious employers.”
Then he draws a conclusion: “What does that mean? Until the Hobby Lobby decision, these groups were fine with religious exemptions. In fact, ENDA’s exemptions are based in part on the 1964 Civil Rights Act. But now, that has changed. Christian Colleges, charities, hospitals beware. It does not matter if your organization has a religious mission. The Left is now declaring that you must not discriminate against employees that violate the religious principles of your organization.”
July 9, 2014: Ligon Duncan: Denny Burk on “A chilling new front in the war on religious liberty”
Tweets by DennyBurk
May 18, 2014: Thoughtlife: Is Rachel Held Evans’s Use of “God Herself” Biblically Faithful?
Grounding her attacks in an oft-cited instinct for justice, Evans has—by my count—mocked and opposed the following in just the last few years: The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, The Gospel Coalition, Together for the Gospel, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Seminary, Desiring God Ministries, Al Mohler, John Piper, Russell Moore, Tim Challies, Mark Driscoll, myself, Denny Burk, Andrew Walker, Doug Wilson, Jared Wilson, and the list goes on.
I’m surprised that a Christian intellectual with a mine mind as complex and as discerning as Robinson’s would buy that whole lazy “if Jesus didn’t say it, he must not have cared much about it” line. The Baptist theologian Denny Burk has a really good response to Robinson. Excerpt:
Jesus’ silence versus Paul’s explicit statements regarding homosexuality is completely understandable given their different contexts. Jesus lived and ministered in and around Judea primarily among Jews where there was basic agreement on the Torah’s prohibition of homosexual behavior. That is not to say that there were no homosexuals in Judea. It is to say that there was no great debate at the time about what the Bible taught about it. The apostle Paul, however, lived and ministered among Gentiles scattered throughout the Roman Empire. In the Greco-Roman world of Paul’s mission, the Torah was not the norm, and people by and large accepted homosexual behavior. It is no wonder, therefore, that Paul would have mentioned it explicitly (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10). Jesus’ alleged “silence” on the issue is evidence of his Jewish context not of his endorsement.
Plus, Burk points out that Jesus did, in fact, endorse marriage as one man and one woman. May 14, 2014: American Conservative: Jesus, Gay Marriage, & Red-Letter Christians
Jan 28, 2013: Via Emmaus: Hold Them Back (A Sanctity of Life Message by Denny Burk)
Basing his message on Proverbs 24:10-12, Denny’s sermon is a clarion call for men and women to get involved in the greatest civil rights issue of our generation. In it, Denny challenges all those who love the gospel of Jesus Christ to (1) Forsake Cowardice, (2) Rescue the Perishing, and (3) Reject Excuses.
Basing his message on Proverbs 24:10-12, Denny’s sermon is a clarion call for men and women to get involved in the greatest civil rights issue of our generation. In it, Denny challenges all those who love the gospel of Jesus Christ to (1) Forsake Cowardice, (2) Rescue the Perishing, and (3) Reject Excuses.