Context for atonement symposium raises questions of objectivity -10/12/04
Eyebrows will be raised at the Evang
Context for atonement symposium raises questions of objectivity -10/12/04
Eyebrows will be raised at the Evangelical Allianceís decision to hold a theological symposium on atonement in partnership with a group already associated with one side of the controversial debate. The Evangelical Alliance has announced it is to follow up its recent ‘Public Dialogue’ on the Atonement by co-sponsoring a 3-day theological symposium with the London School of Theology (LST). The symposium follows controversy surrounding Rev Steve Chalkeís book, the Lost Message of Jesus, which questions the idea of penal substitution ñ the idea that God punished Jesus on the cross. The publication provoked outcry from conservative Evangelicals. The public debate in Westminster, attended by 700 people, saw Steve Chalke publicly respond to his critics. The London School of Theology, formerly the London Bible College, which will co-sponsor the Alliance and host the follow-up symposium, is known for its conservative views. It is also home to lecturer Dr Anna Robbins who opposed Steve Chalke at the Westminster debate. Given the heat that the debate has generated ñ conservatives have withdrawn funding from Steve Chalkeís charity the Oasis Trust, and others have publicly suggested he can no longer be called an ìEvangelicalî ñ many will see it as surprising that a more neutral venue has not been chosen. Questions have already been raised about the Evangelical Allianceís objectivity. At the recent event in Westminster, three speakers were allowed on the platform to oppose Steve Chalke, whilst he had only one to support his case. At the end of the debate, the Alliance also suggested that its own statement of faith implied agreement with the doctrine of penal substitution, thereby aligning itself with one side. In a public statement the Evangelical Alliance subsequently publicly attacked Steve Chalke for questioning the doctrine of ‘Penal Substitution’, urged him to “think again” and said he had “insufficient appreciation” of the extent to which the idea had shaped Evangelicalism. An editorial in a well-known denominational newspaper recently suggested that the Evangelical Alliance had “raised the stakes” with its criticism of the Baptist minister, and suggested that there was little point in having the public symposium which the Alliance is organising, if the organisation had already ruled out Steve Chalke’s viewpoint in this way. The decision to organise the symposium with the London School of Theology will do little to alleviate such concerns. The co-sponsor for the symposium has a similar doctrinal statement to the Evangelical Alliance, which will appear to some to also imply belief in penal substitution. ìWe believe that the Fatherís holy love is shown supremely in that he gave Jesus Christ, his only Son, for us when, through our sinfulness and guilt, we were subject to his wrath and condemnationî it states. The symposium will be held at LST from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th July 2005. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Professors I Howard Marshall and Joel B Green. Other speakers and seminar leaders, who will be drawn from across the Evangelical spectrum, will be announced shortly
Context for atonement symposium raises questions of objectivity -10/12/04
Eyebrows will be raised at the Evangelical Allianceís decision to hold a theological symposium on atonement in partnership with a group already associated with one side of the controversial debate. The Evangelical Alliance has announced it is to follow up its recent ‘Public Dialogue’ on the Atonement by co-sponsoring a 3-day theological symposium with the London School of Theology (LST). The symposium follows controversy surrounding Rev Steve Chalkeís book, the Lost Message of Jesus, which questions the idea of penal substitution ñ the idea that God punished Jesus on the cross. The publication provoked outcry from conservative Evangelicals. The public debate in Westminster, attended by 700 people, saw Steve Chalke publicly respond to his critics. The London School of Theology, formerly the London Bible College, which will co-sponsor the Alliance and host the follow-up symposium, is known for its conservative views. It is also home to lecturer Dr Anna Robbins who opposed Steve Chalke at the Westminster debate. Given the heat that the debate has generated ñ conservatives have withdrawn funding from Steve Chalkeís charity the Oasis Trust, and others have publicly suggested he can no longer be called an ìEvangelicalî ñ many will see it as surprising that a more neutral venue has not been chosen. Questions have already been raised about the Evangelical Allianceís objectivity. At the recent event in Westminster, three speakers were allowed on the platform to oppose Steve Chalke, whilst he had only one to support his case. At the end of the debate, the Alliance also suggested that its own statement of faith implied agreement with the doctrine of penal substitution, thereby aligning itself with one side. In a public statement the Evangelical Alliance subsequently publicly attacked Steve Chalke for questioning the doctrine of ‘Penal Substitution’, urged him to “think again” and said he had “insufficient appreciation” of the extent to which the idea had shaped Evangelicalism. An editorial in a well-known denominational newspaper recently suggested that the Evangelical Alliance had “raised the stakes” with its criticism of the Baptist minister, and suggested that there was little point in having the public symposium which the Alliance is organising, if the organisation had already ruled out Steve Chalke’s viewpoint in this way. The decision to organise the symposium with the London School of Theology will do little to alleviate such concerns. The co-sponsor for the symposium has a similar doctrinal statement to the Evangelical Alliance, which will appear to some to also imply belief in penal substitution. ìWe believe that the Fatherís holy love is shown supremely in that he gave Jesus Christ, his only Son, for us when, through our sinfulness and guilt, we were subject to his wrath and condemnationî it states. The symposium will be held at LST from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th July 2005. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Professors I Howard Marshall and Joel B Green. Other speakers and seminar leaders, who will be drawn from across the Evangelical spectrum, will be announced shortly