January 2017 – InterVarsity Press was banned from selling books at the Society of Biblical Literature’s 2016 annual meeting November 19-22 after InterVarsity Christian Fellowship released a biblically-based theological summary of human sexuality for its employees (sample quotes above). InterVarsity gave staff 18 months to examine the 20-page document and its 28 cited texts, after which they will be asked to affirm it. Those who decide they cannot do so will be involuntarily terminated under terms that would allow them to collect unemployment benefits.
Greg Jao, InterVarsity vice president, said the ministry cannot agree to disagree on the issue because that would mean acting in opposition to doctrine clearly revealed in Scripture.
SBL has stated it is revaluating its relationship with IVP in light of its “core values, including collegiality, respect for critical inquiry, inclusivity, openness to change, respect for diversity, scholarly integrity, and tolerance” and would further discuss InterVarsity’s invitation to its future meetings. Additional critics of IVP included 50 of its published authors.
The policy paper is intended for response only from the college ministry’s employees and not for authors or students.
