Robert A.J. Gagnon, a biblical scholar who became one of the most outspoken and polarizing opponents of same-sex practice in a generation of debates within his and other Protestant denominations, has resigned from the faculty of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.<\/p>\n
The seminary is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a denomination that debated sexuality for decades before deciding in 2011 to ordain non-celibate gays and lesbians and in 2015 to authorize same-sex marriages in its churches. Mr. Gagnon, an ordained elder in the denomination, spoke out often against such liberalizing trends.<\/p>\n
The seminary and the professor \u201cmutually agreed to end their relationship\u201d effective this past Monday, the East Liberty school said. Mr. Gagnon, 59, was a tenured professor of New Testament and had been on the faculty for 23 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate the contributions Professor Gagnon has made to our students and the community during his time here and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,\u201d a seminary statement said.<\/p>\n