Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas severed ties with professor Robert Oscar Lopez on Nov. 29 because of his Biblical interpretation and beliefs regarding homosexuality and related sexual abuse.
Lopez, who describes himself as formerly gay and a victim of sexual abuse, was told opposition to his beliefs from the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and the Southwestern administration meant he was no longer allowed to discuss homosexuality or sexual abuse in any capacity while employed at Southwestern.
The professor says he was pressured to cease from discussing the topic any further.
“I stated that the demands from the Seminary violated my conscience and would force me to disobey God,” Lopez said. “I was told that if that was the case, I had to resign. I refused to resign.”
After multiple meetings with Southwestern’s dean and provost, the administration omitted his name from teaching any classes next semester.
Lopez asked if he were fired since removal of his ability to teach effectively amounted to termination, but the administration reportedly refused to respond to repeated written and email requests.
The professor received written notification of the termination of his position on Nov. 29.
“Any true believer in Jesus Christ expects pushback from unbelievers,” Lopez commented about his dismissal. “What we don’t expect is pushback from people who claim to uphold and teach the very principles clearly presented in the Bible.”
Southwestern has previously come under scrutiny from the Christian community for admitting a Palestinian Muslim man into their archaeological program in 2014, and a sexual abuse scandal involving former seminary president Paige Patterson in 2018.
