Tennessee Baptists turned back an attack on “anti-Christian” teaching in public schools but agreed to investigate the biblical views taught in their three affiliated Baptist colleges.
Messengers to the Tennessee Baptist Convention Nov. 9-10 in Sevierville asked the education committee of their executive board to investigate what is taught at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Belmont University in Nashville and Union University in Jackson.
The action came in response to an allegation from Brady Tarr, a current Carson-Newman student, who told messengers some of the college's professors-particularly in the religion and science departments-teach that the Bible has errors and contradictions.
During an unusual hour-and-a-half discussion, messengers debated if Carson-Newman teaches that the Bible is inspired and authoritative and that the Christian message of salvation is unique and exclusive.
Carson-Newman president James Netherton was asked to respond to Tarr's question. “Carson-Newman doesn't teach the Bible has errors,” the president said. “I believe every single member of the religion department is called by God and they all believe the Bible.”
Netherton was asked by a messenger if Carson-Newman professors would be willing to affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message doctrinal statement. “We haven't asked them that question,” the president responded. “We Baptists have not made the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message a test. We have worked hard to be a non-creedal people.”
A motion to investigate the teachings at Carson-Newman was expanded to include the other two convention-supported schools. Another amendment stipulated that the investigation should be done in conjunction with the schools' trustee boards.
Each of the Baptist colleges is governed by a trustee board. Some critics worried the investigation would usurp the role of trustees.
Associated Baptist Press