Fuller Seminary Reaffirms Traditional Marriage Stance While Acknowledging Diverse Christian Views

The Board of Trustees of Pasadena-based Fuller Theological Seminary has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to its historic theological understanding of marriage and human sexuality as “a union between a man and a woman and sexual intimacy within the context of that union,” according to a statement released this week by the seminary’s president.

The decision, announced in a May 29 update from David Emmanuel Goatley, the Clifford L. Penner Presidential Chair, follows “several years of consultation, feedback, and dialogue” at the Pasadena-based evangelical institution. However, the seminary also acknowledged in its statement that “faithful Christians—through prayerful study, spiritual discernment, and lived experience—have come to affirm other covenantal forms of relationship.”

The announcement comes as many Christian educational institutions nationwide have grappled with evolving social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ issues and marriage equality, often facing pressure from both progressive and conservative constituencies.

Fuller Seminary has historically shunned “ideological polarities” and sought what Goatley described as “a Fuller way—a critical contribution to the church and the world.”

In his statement, Goatley said the Board is “committed to continuing Fuller’s long history of educating leaders in various fields of theology and psychology with the competencies needed for the various settings and contexts God calls them to serve.”

The seminary president indicated that the administration, Board, and faculty would work together to “develop guidelines to continue living out our commitments” related to the reaffirmed theological position.

In conjunction with the sexuality statement, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, which will be led by Christy Vines, president and chief executive officer of Ideos Institute.

The Board meeting, held May 18-19 in Pasadena, also addressed recovery efforts from devastating January wildfires that affected the seminary community. Goatley noted the “incredible generosity of donors who have supported Fuller faculty, staff, students, and their families who were impacted.”

Additionally, the Board elected Joseph Clair to join the Board. Clair is associate provost in the division of humanities, honors & education and professor of theology and culture at George Fox University. With degrees from Duke University, Fordham University, University of Cambridge, and Princeton University, he brings expertise as a scholar and higher education administrator in service to the Board of Trustees.

Fuller Seminary is preparing for its June commencement ceremony, which will celebrate more than 500 graduates. The institution has been implementing what it calls a “digital forward transformation” to enhance enrollment and student experience.

Fuller Theological Seminary was founded in 1947 by Charles E. Fuller and Harold Ockenga to train evangelical leaders. Initially housed at Lake Avenue Congregational Church, it moved to its current Pasadena campus in 1953 and became a leading international center for theological education.