A theology lecturer in the U.K. who was reportedly fired from his job at a Christian college over a tweet about biblical sexuality is suing to raise awareness and stop similar instances from unfolding.
Dr. Aaron Edwards was removed from Cliff College in Derbyshire, England, last March after he sent a tweet defending traditional marriage, something he said was sparked by what he sees as a retreating church comprised of pastors and leaders unwilling to preach on homosexuality and other related issues.
“The tweet was, ‘Homosexuality is invading the church. Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this because they’re busy apologizing for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not it’s true. This is a Gospel issue, by the way. For if sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a savior,’” Edwards recently told CBN Digital. “So, from my point of view, I was making a point about … evangelical cowardice at not standing up to what’s quite obviously happening [amid] secular incursion and invasion into the church.”
Reaction to the tweet was intense, purportedly leading to his eventual punishment and firing.
Now, Edwards — a man who taught theology and said he found himself in the crosshairs for defending it — is on a mission to seek justice, suing over his firing.
Edwards said the fact this case is a “Christian against a Christian organization” elevates the situation.
While Christians often find themselves out of step with the culture, it’s not often that this sort of situation devolves between a faith-based institution and one of its staff.
He expressed gratitude to the Christian Legal Center in the U.K., the organization supporting him and his case, and to the many who have offered support to him and his family after he lost his career. As for the lawsuit, Edwards said it’s essential he take action.
“If don’t do this … some other Christian or 10 other Christians are going to be in a similar position,” he said. “And other academics, especially, are probably watching this case going, ‘What’s going to happen here? Is this going to help me to speak out or is it going to make me shirk back and not say anything?’”
