A theology professor in England is suing his Methodist college after being fired for a tweet that defended biblical sexuality.
Last spring, Cliff College in Derbyshire dismissed Aaron Edwards for allegedly bringing the school into “disrepute” over a post on X. The 37-year-old professor filed a lawsuit against the school claiming he was harassed, discriminated against and unfairly dismissed. Edwards wrote that homosexuality “is invading the church.”
In the wake of the post, the lecturing professor faced online abuse, suspension and was threatened with being reported to a counterterrorism program urging Cliff College’s investigation into the matter. Shortly after his termination, Edwards said he and his family were enduring a “challenging time,” describing his ouster as “very stressful.”
“At the same time, I’ve been telling many people how blessed I’ve felt by God throughout it – genuinely,” he said. “I know people tend to say that a lot, but it’s unbelievable how much, when you go through the mire, God is right there with you. I stand by the language. I think it’s biblical to speak strongly and sternly about holiness issues and gospel issues when they really hit the foundations of our faith.”
He went on to note that many seeker-friendly institutions are shifting their positions on sexuality because they want to placate the world rather than stay true to biblical teaching. “The motives are clearly world-affirming,” he said, “and that’s what I find particularly abhorrent about the situation.”
This situation with Edwards is a microcosm of a larger problem within the Methodist Church in Britain, which in 2021 voted to allow same-sex marriages in its places of worship. Cliff College Principal Rev. Ashley Cooper, who supported the decision, led the disciplinary hearing against Edwards. His case is set for a full employment tribunal hearing next year.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice