Category 4
Verdict: Rachel Gilson is among those who have infiltrated Cru to subvert the true Gospel with the Social Justice Gospel
The Gospel Coalition
Rachel Gilson wrote several hot topic pieces for The Gospel Coalition. In 2017, she gave a book review of a “gay Christian’s” book. In this review, she seems to maintain the biblical sexual ethic, but rejects the idea that God can can lead her back to heterosexuality. She internalizes the idea of sexual orientation which is not a biblical concept.
In a cowritten article in late 2017, she doubles down on the idea that sexuality cannot change. The article props up Revoice leaders Sam Allberry and Nate Collins.
We believe with Sam Allberry that “desires for things that God has forbidden are a reflection of how sin has distorted me, not how God has made me” (Is God Anti-Gay?, 30); that is, our sexualities are fallen. But ever since we responded to Christ in repentance and faith, our union to him has removed the need for any lasting guilt or shame about our sexual feelings. This leaves us free to unashamedly acknowledge any ongoing same-sex attraction and use all the tools of the Spirit to say no to temptation. Our moral responsibility concerns what we do with our attractions, which leaves us in a remarkably similar place to Collins, which needs to be underlined. This conversation is between brothers and sisters—it is no war.
She wrote an article for The Gospel Coalition about creating a safe space for same sex attracted Christians. Sam Jones of the Shining Light Podcast responded to this article by stating:
In this article, Rachel Gilson uses the lone verse Galatians 6:2 to defend and define the position of being “a safe space” for those who have same-sex attraction. Galatians 6:2 states, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This seems to fit perfectly with making a “safe space” for someone who has same-sex attraction, but the context is key to this verse.
If we simply go back and read Galatians 6:1 we have a much greater understanding of Galatians 6:2. Galatians 6:1 states, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” The “burdens” we are to bear with one another are actually trespasses, or to state it more bluntly, sin. The goal in bearing one another’s burdens is to restore one another, this seems like a far cry from being a “safe space”.
In Scripture, we find a very different attitude toward trespasses and sins than what is presented in this article. We see in Romans 12:9 that our love is to be without hypocrisy by abhoring what is evil, in Romans 13:14 we are not even to make plans to gratify the flesh, and in 1Peter 1:16 God tells us to be holy because He is holy. The Bible is clear we are not to harbor or make a “safe space” for sin, and yes, the Bible is clear that homosexuality is a sin, Romans 1:26-27 calls it “unnatural and vile passions”.
Gilson’s role writing occasionally for TGC seems to be book reviews of former or current homosexuals.
Helming the demise of Cru
The inspiration for covering Rachel Gilson comes from the fact that she is in charge of Theological Development at Cru. Similar to Grant Hartley, Gilson is leading Cru down the path towards the Social Justice Gospel. Jon Harris documents multiple false teachings she is spreading to Christian college students.
On Enemies Within The Church, we see the manifestation of her successful infiltration. Cru is peddling multiple studies that apply Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, as well as undermine the biblical sexual ethic. A study being pushed by Cru frames Jesus’ mission as one of justice. Bev Nathaniel Sullivan broke down the study more in-depth and concludes:
There’s an element of truth here, but the element does not keep Jesus’ mission from being remolded into one of human “justice” rather than divine mercy and grace. Not surprisingly, if the church doesn’t understand Jesus’ primary mission, it won’t understand the church’s primary mission either.
Instead, Cru places a different gospel “front and center,” and in so doing obscures and overshadows the biblical gospel. May we have discernment to see this kind of slight-of-hand wherever it exists.
Conclusion
It’s vital to name those who successfully infiltrate orthodox institutions, and Rachel Gilson. Gilson is also an instance of a slipping into apostasy. In 2017, we can see that she held orthodox views but maintain an unbiblical understanding of sexuality. This beachhead grew into further theological decay including the embrace of Critical Race Theory. Because Cru still has many faithful Christians in its chapters, many who are unaware of who is in charge, Rachel Gilson earns a Category 4 instead of a Category 5. But if she is allowed to persist, Cru will go the way of The Gospel Coalition.
Updated 12/2019