The final section of the doctrinal survey for Advent Christian pastors addressed issues of creation and human sexuality.
The first question asked, “Do you believe God created the universe in six literal 24-hour days?” Seventy-three pastors (68.9%) answered yes. Thirteen (12.3%) answered no, and 20 (18.9%) were unsure.
The second question — “Concerning human beings, I believe that a person is:” — allowed for four possible responses. The option “A being with a distinct body, soul and spirit” was selected by 49 pastors (47.1%). “A being with a material body and an immaterial soul” was chosen by 38 (36.5%). Nine (8.7%) selected “Simply a material being,” and eight (7.7%) were unsure.
The next question, “Do you believe marriage is between one biological male and one biological female?” showed a very strong consensus, with 105 pastors (98.1%) affirming the historic biblical conviction. Two pastors (1.9%) were unsure.
One hundred three pastors (97.2%) believe that “sex and gender are binary — that a person is either male or female.” Two pastors (1.9%) were unsure, and one (0.9%) denied that sex and gender are binary.
On the final question — “Do you believe a person’s sex/gender are changeable?” — 102 pastors (96.2%) answered no. Two (1.9%) were unsure, and two (1.9%) said they believe a person’s sex/gender is changeable.
2 Responses
Once again I am surprised by the number of Pastors that are unsure of things. How/why are you pastoring if you are not sure of your theology?
Of all the doctrines we preach, teach, and defend, I truly believe this one would be our common ground. I assumed, perhaps naively, that this would be the doctrine so clear, so central, and so evidently Spirit-breathed.