Princeton Theological Seminary was going to give Tim Keller the “Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness.” Then critics complained about Keller’s traditional views that women and LGBTQs should not be ordained and the offer of the prize was rescinded. You can read about it here:
Princeton Theological Seminary reverses decision to honor Redeemer’s Tim Keller
What struck me about the article was the absolute, over-the-top hypocrisy of Princeton Theological Seminary.
According to the article, the President, Rev. Craig Barnes, “remains committed to academic freedom and ‘the critical inquiry and theological diversity of our community.’”
Unless you’re Evangelical.
“We are a community that does not silence voices in the church,” Barnes wrote.
Unless you’re Evangelical.
Barnes explained it was “a hard conversation” but one “that a theologically diverse community can handle.”
It can handle it, so long as there are no Evangelicals.
“A core conviction of our seminary is to be a serious academic institution that will sometimes bring controversial speakers to campus because we refuse to exclude voices within the church.”
Unless you’re Evangelical.
“In the grace and love of Jesus Christ, we strive to be a community that can engage with generosity and respect those with whom we disagree about important issues,” he wrote.
Sure, sure. Unless you’re Evangelical.
It would be funny if it weren’t so painfully hypocritical.
What’s even more supremely absurd here is that Abraham Kuyper, who the award is named after, would also have rejected the ordination of women and LGBTQs! Kuyper himself would have been excluded by Princeton Theological Seminary to receive an award named after him!
I am a great admirer of Abraham Kuyper. In fact, I attended the Free University of Amsterdam, the institution he founded, so I could study the philosophy he inspired. It pains me to see his name used to further far-left liberal causes.
Frankly, Princeton’s use of Kuyper’s name strikes me as a cheap ploy to get money from conservative Reformed donors (because liberal churches are dying fast, along with their donation money).
Instead of trying to make money off Kuyper’s name, Princeton Theological Seminary should have a little integrity, admit that Kuyper’s own voice would be excluded from their community conversation, close down the prize, and try to make money off of a liberal theologian’s name. Or, if they truly do want to include Evangelicals, Conservatives, and Traditional Christians in the conversation, they should make a concerted effort to make sure those voices are heard. In other words, give Keller the prize.
