Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver and three other Union faculty members were initial signers of the Nashville Statement released Aug. 29.
The statement, released by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, affirms traditional biblical teaching on issues related to sexuality and gender. It contains 14 beliefs, referred to as articles. Each article consists of an affirmation and denial on a variety of topics, such as sex outside of marriage, homosexuality and gender identity.
More than 150 conservative evangelists initially signed the statement, including John Piper, R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Francis Chan.
“The Nashville Statement provides biblical clarity and compassion about these issues in a time when it is needed most,” Oliver said. “At Union, we always want to speak the truth in love.
“When many want to avoid issues of biblical marriage, sexuality and gender (or try to claim there is some third way), we want to conform our lives to God’s Word. In doing so Union hopes to bring true life and light to a world that desperately needs it.”
Other initial signers from Union were Nathan Finn, dean of Union’s School of Theology and Missions; C. Ben Mitchell, the Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy; and Hunter Baker, associate professor of political science.
In protest, a group of Union alumni composed an online letter, expressing disappointment in the university leaders for signing as well as opposition to the statement.
“Dear President Oliver,” the letter reads. “Your signature, followed by the words ‘President, Union University,’ casts a pall on all of us that we felt called to speak out against…we, graduates of Union University, do not agree with the hurtful statements that have been endorsed with our names.”
At time of publication, almost 350 alumni had signed the letter.
I am encouraged that Union has a President that will not conform to this worlds ideas and opinions but stands by God’s principles that have been plainly laid out for us in his word. Dr. Dub ultimately answers to God. I believe that trumps anyone else’s opinion. Thank you, Dr. Dub, for continuing to stand! I continue to pray for Union, it’s leaders, teachers and students.
Hey C&C, at time of publication, how many are in FAVOR of Dr. Dub and The Nashville Statement? Far more of us appreciate the value of truth in journalism than what you represented in this brief agenda-slanted article. Start interviewing the majority rather than baiting for ratings with a minority. Go find those in support of TNS and interview them to offer a balanced article.
If you are going to link to the letter of protest, you ought to consider linking to one of the other alumni letters with a similar number of signatures that isn’t a letter of protest, such as https://deardub.com/ (there is also https://standwithunion.com/)