Senior Pastor at Grand Concourse Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York has resigned from his office after strong criticism from the SDA Church leadership and public for preaching in support of marital rape.
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| Pastor Burnett Robinson in his sermon on Sabbath 13th November 2021, challenged the legality of marital rape, citing Ephesians 5 about the submission of women to their husbands/ Faith Reporters |
Pastor Burnett Robinson was emphasizing the submission of women to their husbands, citing the Epistle of Paul to Ephesians 5:22 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”
According to a statement from the Greater New York Conference of the SDA Church today 24th November 2021, the church said his interpretation of the passage is not accepted by the church.
“The Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists recognizes many have been deeply harmed by the sentiments expressed by [Pastor] Robinson. The views he expressed are wrong and not accepted by our church” according to the statement.
Pastor Robinson preached the sermon titled "Unholy deadlock or holy wedlock" on the Sabbath of 13th November 2021, mentioning a court event he said he had seen over the Television in which a woman sued her husband for raping her.
“Wife, you must submit to yourself to your husband as unto the Lord. And in this matter of submission, I want you to know upfront, ladies, that once you get married, you are no longer your own” he said, pausing and adding that “You are your husband’s – You understand what I’m saying?” he paused.
Pastor Robinson added that “I emphasize that because I saw in court the other day on TV where a lady sued her husband for rape. And I would say to you gentleman, the best person to rape is your wife. But then now it has become legalized rape.”
The sermon was attacked by several women’s rights activists and the church condemned it up to the church Division level, the North American Division before he resigned today.
“We wholeheartedly condemn any form of behavior or rhetoric that perpetrates any type of violence against women — or any person. This is not what the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes.” The statement by the North American Division said on Monday 22 November 2021.
Greater New York Conference statement today emphasized that Pastor Robinson’s interpretation of the passage in Ephesians 5 regarding wives’ submission to their husband contradicted the church’s, and apologised on his behalf.
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church condemns any language or behavior that perpetrates or encourages any type of violence against women. We humbly apologize and ask for forgiveness” the statement read.
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To resign only is not enough, he should also be brought to court.
ReplyDeleteWhy is there no uproar for women Ordinations within the SDA yet the issue of Submission has brought uproar. A white washed hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteSatan is behind in championing women's and children's rights.
ReplyDeleteThe SDA Church leaders are not submissive to Christ.Many rejected God's testimonies They even ordained women as pastors.
That is why, many women are not submissive to their husband.
God revealed to His servant Sister Ireen Nawila that Women ministry and children ministry are not God's program.These ministries are working under the banner of the snake, the devil.