Tennessee Baptists look into schools’ teachings

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Baptists agreed to investigate the biblical views taught in their three affiliated Baptist Colleges. Messengers to the Tennessee Baptist Convention Nov. 9–10 asked the education commission 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 a current Carson-Newman student, who told messengers some of the college’s professors — particularly in the religion and science departments — teach viewpoints contrary to conservative views about the Bible, such as creationism.  The committee will report to the executive board, then to the convention next year.

President David Dockery of Union University, considered the most conservative of the three schools, said: “We clearly affirm the full truthfulness of the Bible and believe in God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth, without apology.” Administrators at Belmont and Carson-Newman did not respond to requests from Associated Baptist Press for comment.