Bethlehem Seminary president resigns after 16 years of service over perspective on infant baptism as well as church and state separation.
Bethlehem College and Seminary, a school where theologian John Piper serves as chancellor has on Monday accepted with gratitude in a statement its acceptance of Dr. Joseph J. Rigney’s resignation letter as president of the school.
“With profound thankfulness to God for Dr. Joseph J. Rigney’s 16 years of service to Bethlehem College and Seminary as a faculty member and as president and with deep affection for him as a brother in Christ, and with high regard for his integrity and spiritual authenticity, the trustee of Bethlehem College and seminary received and accepted Joe Rigney’s resignation as president of this school,” It said in a statement.
Following the announcement, it was disclosed that Dr. Rigney resigned as a result of “vision divergence between him and other leaders of the school.” According to the statement Joseph said, “has become a significant obstacle in carrying out [his] leadership role in the school.”
The statement also claims that he “has deepened and clarified his theological and physiological in a way that is out of step with several distinctive which Baptists have historically viewed as biblical.”
Furthermore, the school explained that “His position on baptism and how the children of believers fit into the covenantal scheme of Scripture has developed to the point where infant baptism is an open question.”
It also noted that “His position on the relationship between Christianity and civil government is not at home with the historic Baptist emphasis on the separation of church and state.”
While Dr. Rigney is to remain president till May 31st, 2023, The Trustee appointed former Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies. Dr. Brian J. Tabb, to hold the position of interim president.