A theology lecturer who lost his job over comments he made about homosexuality on social media is having his case heard by an employment tribunal today.
Dr Aaron Edwards is claiming harassment, discrimination and unfair dismissal, and in search of damages and reinstatement by Cliff College.
He was dismissed in 2023 after seven years with the school following a tweet regarding the Church of England General Synod’s debate on same-sex blessings.
He tweeted, “Homosexuality is invading the Church. Evangelicals not see the severity of this b/c they’re busy apologising for his or her apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not it’s true. This is a ‘Gospel issue,’ by the best way. If sin is not any longer sin, we not need a Saviour.”
After a backlash, he defended his comments in one other tweet that said: “That is the conservative view. The acceptance of homosexuality as ‘not sinful’ is an invasion upon the Church, doctrinally. This just isn’t controversial. The acceptance is controversial. Most of the worldwide Church would agree. It just isn’t homophobic to declare homosexuality sinful.”
Dr Edwards was dismissed by the Methodist-run Cliff College after refusing to retract his comments.
At the hearing in Sheffield today, his lawyers from the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) will argue that the school violated his rights under Article 9 and Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Edwards said, “It appears like all the things I worked for at the school (and for the school) during the last seven years has gone up in smoke.
“Anyone concerned about academic freedom, Christian freedoms and free speech ought to be deeply concerned by what has happened to me.
“The tweet was not defamatory; it was not an attack on any colleague or individual; it was not abusive; and it was not an extremist religious view. It was addressed to evangelicals as some extent of doctrine, and it has been misunderstood by many who want to cause personal and institutional trouble for many who express that view.
“The impact on me and my family has been very significant. I actually have lost many friends consequently, and been slandered by individuals who have no idea all of the main points but who now see me as an unkind or hateful person.
“The profession that I had built over the course of a decade has been severely damaged to the extent that I not have a profession. I don’t have any selection but to fight for justice.”
CLC CEO Andrea Williams said Edwards had been sacked “because he challenged the church to uphold God’s teaching on human sexuality.”
“Contending for that truth publicly meant that he lost the job that he was so good at, in addition to his family’s home,” she said.
“It is deeply saddening to see a once renowned Bible college losing its way by not upholding the reality about marriage. What message does Aaron’s sacking send to the subsequent generation of leaders and pastors, and the long run of Christian witness?”
She continued, “Our churches, and our society, desperately need courageous leaders. Aaron was committed to raising faithful preachers and pastors for the church. We need more lecturers and trainers like Aaron, not less, to build-up the subsequent generation of Christian leaders to be unashamed of the gospel.”
Cliff College has defended its actions, saying that the language utilized in the tweet was “inappropriate and unacceptable and doesn’t represent either the views or the ethos of Cliff College”.
“Cliff College, with the Methodist Church in Britain, is committed to being a protected and hospitable place, where those with differing convictions are welcomed and challenged to live together as faithful disciples of Christ,” it said.
“We aim to do that with mutual respect and a generosity of spirit that springs from our biblical and evangelical conviction of God’s love for every and for all.”
