ETS Resignation Triggers Tradition Discussion
Executive committee: Roman Catholics may not join.
Collin Hansen
posted 5/09/2007

The Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) indicated that its members will discuss the role of tradition in Protestant theology after president Francis Beckwith rejoined the Roman Catholic Church and resigned on May 5. Beckwith, a philosophy professor at Baylor University, also surrendered his ETS membership. He originally hoped to retain membership, but changed his mind after considering contentious ETS debates, the most recent of which is over open theism. Beckwith said that two past ETS presidents told him he would still be welcome to join those discussions.

"Because I deeply desire a public conversation among Christians about the relationship between Evangelicalism and the Great Tradition," Beckwith wrote, "a public debate about my membership status, with all the rancor and stress that typically goes with such disputes, would preempt and poison that important conversation." the rest

Q&A: Francis Beckwith
Former ETS president speaks about what he takes from evangelicalism back to the Roman Catholic Church.
Interview by David Neff
5/09/2007

Francis Beckwith resigned on May 5 as president of the Evangelical Theological Society. One week earlier the Baylor University philosophy professor rejoined the Roman Catholic Church, his home until age 14. He spoke with Christianity Today editor David Neff about reaction to his decision, theological misconceptions, and evangelical strengths and weaknesses. the rest