Identity Theology: Political Correctness with a Halo – Religion Dispatches

It was the invitation that wasnt. Princeton Theological Seminary offered Timothy Keller its Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness. Hundreds of seminary students, alumniand faculty signed a petition protesting the award, after whichthe seminary abruptly rescinded the offer.

The seminarys invitation to lecture on campus still stands. Keller hasin the words of seminary President Craig Barnesgraciously agreed to keep the commitment to deliver the Kuyper Conferences keynote address, sans the $10,000 prize.

The sticking point, in Barnes words, is Kellers belief that women and LGBTQ+ persons should not be ordained, [which] conflicts with the stance of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

But that black-and-white assessment washes over the particularities of PCUSAs actual requirements for its ordaining bodies.It alsofuelsa misunderstanding of theologicalnuance that is being replicatedin media commentators reactions to the seminarys decision.

Media pundits have focused primarily on the headline-grabbing issue of LGBTQ ordination, rather than Kellers rejection of female clergythough that categorical dismissal is what actually stands in greatercontrast with PCUSAs presiding doctrine.Unlike LGBTQ ordination, about which some controversy remains, the ordination of women has the enthusiastic support of nearly every member of the PCUSA. Ordaining bodies within PCUSA may not categorically bar women from ordained service. In fact,The churchs 1990 Brief Statement of Faith declares that the Spirit calls women and men to all ministries of the Church, elevating the ordination of women to confessional status.

By contrast, whenPCUSAs General Assembly voted to begin ordaining LGBTQ people several years ago, it spoke of the need to maintain safe spaces for conservative dissenters who believe scripture prevents their presbyteries and sessions from ordaining those in same-sex relationships. As such, it draftedconstitutional language on this issue that is permissive rather than mandatoryindividual churches or leaders are not required to ordain LGBTQ people.

Keller, for his part, belongs to the conservative Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), which bars women from ordination to any ministry. He has been outspoken in support of his denominations views. Keller is also a noted proponent of complementarian theology, a conservative interpretation of the New Testament that requires husbands to assume the role of head of the household. He encourages married women to complement their men by submitting to their divinely-sanctioned rule.

But these crucial distinctions are all-but-erasedby the broad brush used to paint the terms of the controversy in mainstream media. In an op-ed forThe Wall Street Journal,Case Thorpcastigates the seminary administration for buckling underwhat Thorp calls identity theology, a term heappears to have invented, adapting identity politics to the theological realm.

Building on the conservative framing of identity politics as the resultof small, identity-based groups clinging to and trumpeting their collective uniqueness, Thorp fumes that identity theology perpetuates the Enlightenments failed promise in which true meaning rests within someones understanding of himself.

Those who cling to this mode of thinking leave behind a God-centered study for a radical focus on humanity, Thorp laments.

The concept of identity theology sounds suspiciously like that all-purpose complaint beloved of the right wing, political correctness. Charges of political correctness function as a useful tool for those who are weary of repeated invitations to rethink old prejudices. Identity theology is simply political correctness with a halo.

The seminarys misstep on the Kuyper Award is unfortunate, but its inaccurate to portray President Barnes decision to withdraw it as a snub of Keller, or of those who hold similar conservative views on the ordination of women or the role of women in the Christian household. Thorp made such a claim in his op-ed, as did Jonathan Merritt in a recent Religion News Service opinion piece.There is a difference between respectful ecumenical dialogue and endorsing opposing views, which is how many would understand the awarding of a theology prize.

In an article in Christianity Today, Fuller Theological Seminary President Emeritus Richard Mouwa previous Kuyper Award recipientreports hearing expressions of consternation and feelings of betrayal among his fellow evangelicals, now that PTShas withdrawn the award. Mouw differs from Keller on the ordination of women, but stands with him on the question of same-sex marriage. Is there a new litmus test? he wonders.

Mouws concern seems overblownsince the concern about womens ordination is by itself sufficient justification for the seminarys re-thinking of its decision.

The heart of ecumenical discussion is listening to one another, a dialogue the seminary will still foster as Keller visits the campus. Perhaps minds will be changed. Or perhaps not. But the conversation will likely proceed without any mention of identity theology, which is a good thing.

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Identity Theology: Political Correctness with a Halo - Religion Dispatches