A Public Request of Biblical Theological Seminary Posted March 27, 2007 ~ From BTS Alumni ~

BTS alumni and friends have grown increasingly concerned that the school has drifted further and further away from its “Biblical” moorings. Often when alumni and friends have expressed criticism, the response is simply that we “don’t understand” the school or its professors correctly. We would sincerely love for that to be the case. And truth will not be advanced by any misrepresentation of the school. So we would sincerely ask the administration to provide public answer for us on some issues that concern us. We will be happy to post their response here on this site.

1. Does BTS still hold to the traditional definition of sola scriptura? That is, is Scripture our only final rule of faith and practice? Are there additional sources of authority? If so, what are they? And what lee-way is allowed of the faculty on this question?
   
   
2. Does BTS still hold to the traditional definition of Biblical inerrancy? Does it still hold to the full inerrancy of Scripture, i.e. on all matters it treats, and not on religious matters alone? Would BTS agree to the Chicago statement on Biblical inerrancy? If not, where would you like to distance yourselves from the Chicago Statement? Are your convictions on this matter mandated of all BTS faculty members?
   
   
3. Does BTS still hold to the traditional definition of sola fide?  Does God justify sinners through faith alone? And is this still required of the BTS faculty? Or if there are any differences in faculty positions on this question, could you please articulate them for us so that we might better understand?
   
   
4. In the opinion of BTS faculty, what, precisely is the role of human works in justification? Is there any sense in which human merit or performance might factor into our justification before God? If so, what is that sense? On the last day, does God admit his image-bearers into his presence on the ground of grace alone through faith alone, with works being the necessary attesting evidence, or on the ground of the whole life lived? And is the faculty at one in this matter?
   
   
5. Does BTS still hold that faith in Jesus Christ is universally required for salvation, even for those who have never heard the gospel? If not, under what circumstances might there be an exception? Can someone be saved by Christ who has never heard of Jesus Christ? Can someone be saved by Christ who is devoutly and intelligently committed to some other religious leader? Can someone be saved who has heard of Christ but who devoutly, piously, and sincerely follows some other religious leader? Does BTS believe that eternal separation from even the common blessings and grace of God awaits those who do not believe and trust in him? And is the entire BTS faculty at one on this question?
   
   
6. Does BTS still hold to the traditional definition of the eternal punishment of the unrepentant? Is this still held by all the faculty?
   
   
7. Does BTS still hold that God knows all future events exhaustively? Would a BTS faculty member be retained who holds to what is known as “openness” theology? Do any of the current faculty deny God’s exhaustive knowledge of all future events?
   
   
8. Does BTS have faculty who do not believe that God ordered the extermination of the Canaanites from the land promised to Israel? Does BTS allow faculty who reject this portion of the Biblical narrative?
   
   
9. In the opinion of the BTS faculty, could any kind of homosexual activity ever be condoned? Could any homosexual behavior ever be other than sinful? Is the entire faculty in agreement on this question?
   
   

*Note:  By way of clarification, we want by this request not to provoke but to establish clarity. We believe that these items are of great importance, and we believe the request for clarity is reasonable and fair. We do not wish to create inconvenience for the administration, but these issues are of such significance that the BTS administration, we think, will welcome this opportunity for public clarification. We express in advance our appreciation for their cooperation and patience with us on this matter.

BTS Alumni endorsing this Request

Official BTS Response

As I See It - by Fred G. Zaspel

Analyses of BTS Faculty Publications

See other BTS alumni efforts at
www.postbiblical.info