Molly Marshall and Liberal Theolgies/Theologians

For our final class of Ministry of Proclamation, Dr. Hershael York had us watch Battle for the Minds, a film documenting (in a rather biased fashion) the events that occurred during the Conservative “takeover” of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. In the film a charismatic female theology professor, Molly Marshall emerged as the star of the documentary. Marshall had been a theology professor since 1984 when this film was made in 1995. She was facing either resignation of her position or charges would be brought against her for her dismissal by President R. Albert Mohler. Marshall, much to her credit, resigned rather than facing these charges.

Marshall, as well as many others who were interviewed for the film, was upset by this decision, as she was one of the most beloved professors among the then liberal student body. However, Marshall believes in inclusivism, or that people of other religions will be saved (Christ is not the only way to God), and in post-mortem opportunities for salvation.1 In the video it was stated that Marshall also disagrees with Scriptural Inerrancy, has differing views on the atonement, and that she believes God can also be referred to in feminine terms.2

Marshall has recently become the president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Should Paige Patterson and R. Albert Mohler be afraid that this institution may rise up and reclaim evangelicalism in America? No. God is clearly blessing the efforts of these men and others like them as good/biblical theology is making a resurgence among Baptists in America. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary continues to grow and is being blessed financially to continue expansion. The Spirit is moving in this nation in the “fundamentalist” evangelical groups. If anyone should be afraid, it is the liberal theologians. In fact, they should be very afraid, for the wrath of God rests upon all those who oppose His gospel. They are leading astray people whom they should be teaching the truth. Read the Bible and see; God does not fool around when it comes to the truth.

During the video, Marshall commented on her first pastorate in a small rural church. The comment that struck me most was made by Marshall herself. In speaking about how it is ingrained in children that only men can be pastors, Marshall mentioned that the little girls in children’s church, during her pastorate, would play preacher and would not allow the little boys to be the preacher. The children’s church worker told the little girls that little boys could also grow up to be pastors as well, not just little girls. This shows the striking effect that teachers can and do have on their pupils/disciples; especially upon children. I’m sure that many others of Marshall’s views also infected this rural church. This should serve as both an example and a warning. As Jesus said,

…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him [or her] to have a heavy millstone hung around his [or her] neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks [to the Church]! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man [anthropos in Greek, meaning man or woman in this context] through whom the stumbling block comes!

While Jesus is clearly speaking here of one who causes a young Christian (or one who is seeking faith in Christ) to stumble, not physical children, I think this clearly applies in this case. These are young children (and their parents and all in the congregation who look to their pastor to lead them into the truth of Christ and His gospel) who should be learning as they attend church God’s truth.

This warning goes out to all who do not preach the full councils of God clearly and truthfully from Scripture: “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Those in every denomination, though they have appeared more regularly and outspoken in the Methodist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian Church USA, and United Church of Christ denominations recently, who are not preaching the Bible as the inspired, authoritative, inerrant Word of God, and teach contrary to the Bible will receive a stricter judgment. Those especially who preach another gospel will be damned (cf. Galatians 1:6-9)!

Do not claim to speak in the name of God when He has not given you a revelation. He has given His full revelation in the Bible, and it is not hindered or changed even one iota by the times. The postmodern twenty-first century has no bearing upon God’s message (as Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass way, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). If you fail to realize this, you will be rightly condemned. So I say to you as Jesus said, and as John the Baptist and Paul have said, you need to repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Christ’s Lordship is being extended over the whole earth. Those who do not submit will rightly face the wrath of God for their arrogance and their treason to the Great King. I say this out of concern and love for you because if you do not repent you will face eternal hell. Love is not leaving people to their own devises and what they find pleasurable. Love is telling them the truth of what will truly bring them a more satisfied life—a life of joy in Christ, a life of satisfaction that only comes when He is the focus and center of all we say, do, and enjoy. Love is telling people that they are sinful and in need of a Savior, the only Mediator between God and man, the Son of God, Christ Jesus. It is telling them that God’s wrath is on them and they will justly face eternal punishment if they do not repent and their sins are not propitiated for. Read the Bible and seek a holistic interpretation of it, not one that fits your own sinful desires and the desires of your culture. You have left your first love! Return to Him!


Note: I am not telling you what you should or should not believe; that is between you and God. What I am saying, however, is that if you do not adhere to the gospel of Jesus Christ, do not claim to speak in His name. You will be judged, so watch both what you believe and what you teach. If “fundamentalists” do not accept you in institutions and denominations that historically have disagreed with your ideologies, theologies, and practices, do not take it personally, it is not a hatred for you but a proper reaction against heresy for the purity of the Bride of Christ.

A Second Note: For those of you who are adherents to the gospel of Christ, here are a few things to watch for when determining whether someone is probably a heretic or not: (1) are they pro-abortion, (2) do they claim Jesus is not the only way of salvation (this is a definitive one), (3) do they belittle “fundamentalists”, (4) do they seek so called “equality” at the expense of Scripture, (5) do they support homosexuality (not do they have compassion on and sincerely love homosexuals as people and treat them with due respect, but do they condone homosexual practices).

(1) http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/9221.htm
(2) see also http://www.sofn.org.uk/doctrine/shriver.htm