A statement made by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) has been titled "The Nashville Statement," but Mayor Megan Barry responded to it, saying the city did not stand by the statement.
On Tues., Aug. 29, the council released the statement on "biblical sexuality," essentially saying marriage was designed by God for one man and one woman.
The statement is a collection of 14 affirmations and denials they believe the bible says about, human sexuality and marriage.
It was the result of a CBMW meeting of evangelical leaders on Aug. 25 that was hosted by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission during its national conference.
The Nashville Statement came 30 years after CBMW published the Danvers Statement of 1987 – the organization’s founding document – and aims to address current issues of sexuality.
“The spirit of our age does not delight in God’s good design of male and female. Consequently, confusion reigns over some of the most basic questions of our humanity,” said Denny Burk, president of CBMW. “The aim of The Nashville Statement is to shine a light into the darkness – to declare the goodness of God’s design in our sexuality and in creating us as male and female.”
CBMW’s co-founder John Piper said, “The Nashville Statement is a Christian manifesto concerning issues of human sexuality. It speaks with forthright clarity, biblical conviction, gospel compassion, cultural relevance, and practical helpfulness. It will prove to be, I believe, enormously helpful for thousands of pastors and leaders hoping to give wise, biblical, and gracious guidance to their people.”
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry spoke out against the statement Tuesday afternoon, clearing up any possible confusion by the articles title.
She clarified that the statement did not come from any Metro Nashville office and did not exemplify the beliefs of the city as a whole.
