Worship at EMU is a chance for students to hear from guest speakers on a variety of topics. N.T. Wright, a British theologian and former bishop, is one such speaker. He is set to come present worship on Nov. 14. This particular fact seems to have caused a bit of a stir on campus, since EMU is hosting a speaker whose views can be interpreted as homophobic. While there are many aspects to this issue, one aspect in particular is worthy of emphasis: free discourse.
Echo chambers are all too easy to construct nowadays, and only getting easier as our discourse becomes more divided. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to honestly listen to the people we disagree with. Even if it seems like that person’s views come straight from the pit of hell, they can’t just be discarded because we disagree with them in principle. Intellectual honesty requires thoughtful consideration of all perspectives—anything less can all too quickly descend into dogmatism and intellectual tribalism.
More than that, it seems to me that this discussion has sort of missed the point of having Wright come in the first place. Wright is a well-renowned theologian, and the title of his Convocation reflects this: “The Day the Revolution Began: Atonement the Right Way Round.” His coming presents students with an opportunity to hear an expert’s opinion on atonement: what it means to follow Jesus, to be redeemed, and how God’s kingdom is both a hope for the future and a promise for the present. This is not meant to be a divisive matter, but a chance to learn. It allows students to hear from the ongoing discussion about the Christian faith. Whether one adheres to those particular principles or not, it still presents an opportunity to broaden one’s intellectual horizons.
A separate-but-related issue is that Convocation is a requirement for first-year students. This convocation could potentially create an unsafe space for some. While I would argue that first-years are not being forced to attend this particular Convocation, I am not privy to all situations, and there is always an exception. All I can say on that matter is that if there are issues, contact Brian Martin Burkholder. The administration of the school is not out to get anybody; they will work with you.
It is not my intent to voice an opinion as to whether homosexuality is a sin or not. Similarly, my intent is not that everyone who reads this article agrees with my logic; I fully expect a rebuttal within the week. My hope is that this article would spark discussion about Wright’s visit, and hopefully refocus it on something we can all appreciate about his visit: free exchange of ideas here at EMU.