Disclaimer: Letter to the Editor does not represent the viewpoints of The Whitworthian, members of the editorial board or Whitworth University.
Dear Editor,
“Regarding the issue of hiring people who identify as LGBTQIA+ for faculty positions at Whitworth, I believe that in doing so, the university is taking a huge step away from living into the call of being a Christian institution. When I first stepped onto campus two years ago, I believed that this was a university filled with people who wanted to follow the immutable truth of God’s word. But it has become clear to me that the importance of holding to God’s word is becoming second in line behind the goal of inclusion.
In Mark 10:6, the Bible says, ‘From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.’ The Bible is also clear that being involved in homosexual relationships is a sin. As followers of God, we are called to love everyone, but we are also tasked with pursuing holiness. While students of all backgrounds and faiths should be welcome, the faculty are called to a higher standard as Christian leaders who students should be able to look up to. If we are a university that wants to reach students for Christ, why would we choose to hire professors who do not hold firmly to scripture? Christianity calls us to stand out from the culture and be different. We need to shine the light of God’s love and truth amid a world that promotes ‘anything goes’ values and confusion. While tolerance may appear loving, it will lead us to be indistinguishable from the world and ineffective in helping to introduce unsaved students to their Savior.”
Sincerely,
Elijah Hayrynen
Class of 2024
Genuinely curious how the Whitworthian Editorial Board vets the opinion submissions. To keep it “fair and balanced”, is the general approach, “Okay, if we let someone write an opinion piece stating they deserve to exist, we have to give voice to someone who thinks they don’t.”?
Hello, thank you so much for your question! We would love it if you check out our policy on letters to the editor, here on our policy page: https://thewhitworthian.news/policies/ If you click on that, you should be able to scroll down until you see “letters to the editor/ guest columns.”
I don’t understand how a person holding a more inclusive position makes them less of a Christian. For one, having a well thought out opinion on political matters within a religious frame work will not always result in being non-affirming. Two, that’s awfully far from what Jesus did for the outsiders and the Old Testament is all for Justice and inclusion too.