ChristianWeek

OTTERBURNE, MB–Administrators at Providence College and Seminary faced a significant challenge earlier this year when a senior Biblical and Theological Studies major publicly declared himself to be gay.

Fourth-year student David Puranen–who wants to be a pastor–wrote a theological study on why it is not unbiblical for him to pursue a same-sex relationship within the loving, monogamous, committed guidelines set out by Scripture and posted it on his weblog.

It was not a popular action at the conservative Christian college.

According to Providence public relations director Dale Nye, the college's first concern was for people–both Puranen and a small number of students who were offended by his stance and wanted him expelled.

Administration and student life personnel were eager to address issues raised by homosexuality in a way that would "show grace and understanding," be "proactive," and respond positively to the cultural milieu without compromising "core values," says Nye.

As news of Puranen's viewpoint spread through the college's wider constituency, the board of governors recommended a thorough, long-term process for the college and engaged two consultants to make recommendations and communicate with staff and students.

Alfred Bell, a retired prison chaplain with a doctorate in conflict resolution and area minister for the Baptist Central Conference, and Randy Goossen, director of community psychiatry with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, offered their expertise to the college as the administration and student body worked through their questions.

Homosexuality does not feature in the 12-point Covenant of Faith outlining Providence's doctrinal orientation. However, Providence's stand on the issue is outlined in the school's "Covenant of Community Life."

Providence operates on the system of covenant with students, rather than a list or rules or code of ethics. It involves commitment to the community with due process resulting in sanctions for breaking the covenant.

It states: "students of the Providence community affirm the biblical teaching that sexual intimacy takes place within the life-long covenant of marriage between a man and a woman." And "supporting or promoting homosexual relations, activity, conduct, or organizations, common law relationships, sexual assault or harassment are not acceptable."

The board's decision was unanimous: Puranen will be graduating from Providence in April–upon completion of his course requirements–and not face discipline because of his declaration. "Graduation is a legal matter; once a student is registered in a program, they are legally entitled to graduate if they complete academic requirements," says Providence president August Konkel.

Bell, who is authorized to speak about this situation for Providence, explains that it is not appropriate to penalize a student based on his sexual orientation if he is otherwise complying with covenant standards. "You can't [penalize] someone till he's done something wrong."

Student representatives are "quite satisfied" with the school's decision and the staff "are extremely pleased with it," says Bell. The general student body, most of whom know Puranen personally, range from apathetic to strongly supportive, with only a small number viscerally opposed. Bell and Providence are working with these students to bring about a degree of resolution.

"Our biggest challenge is how to deal with things as Christ would–on all issues," says Nye.

The Providence community's process of clarifying and responding to homosexuality in an appropriate Christian manner is also prompting closer examination of the student life covenant and school's mission statement. "Our current and future mission is to offer a Christian education to anyone who wants it," says Nye. "We won't change our message," but the school will be open to non-Christians, people of other religions, "anyone interested in Christian education."

Providence has no policy prohibiting students whose sexual orientation is homosexual. "Scriptures sanction behaviour, not orientation," says Bell. "The challenge to the student is to stay within biblical standards, biblical teaching."

This is where Puranen and Providence may disagree. Motivated to deeper enquiry by a conversation in summer, he turned his newly acquired skills of exegesis and study on what the Bible actually says about homosexuality and came to his own conclusions. In January, he produced a paper outlining his position–"The Big Gay Document: My Reconciliation of Christianity and Same-Sex Relations"–and posted it on his weblog.

Coming to terms with a homosexual orientation as a Christian has helped him find "a far more developed theology of sin." Ironically, it was tools of study and the new ways of looking at Scripture he learned through his courses at Providence that enabled him to come to his conclusions, he says.

"People are forced to live lives in a way that is terribly difficult based on bad theology and translation," he says, referring to homosexuals who try to live as heterosexuals.

Puranen's vision is to start a church–called The Church of the Rejected Cornerstone–open to all those rejected not only by society, but often condemned most strongly by the church.

With years of experience in youth ministry, he started visiting gay bars with ministry as an object. He's earned the moniker "theology David" because, as one person said, "you never don't talk about God."