Reflections on Iain Provan presentation about a "biblical theology of sexual intimacy, birth sex, and gender expression” at Equip

Some may be wondering about Iain Provan’s presentation at Equip.

Provan—who is known for his idea that there are people with what he considers to be unbiblical ideas who, like European cuckoo birds, sneak into the church’s nest to take it over and destroy its offspring—spoke about “Why the church needs a biblical theology of sexual intimacy, birth sex, and gender expression.”

I wasn’t there. So I reached out to some who attended his presentation and asked for their reactions. This is what they told me. (All were given anonymity in sharing.)

According to one person who heard him speak, Provan was unable to translate his theology and philosophy into pastoral practices. This is growing frustrating to some pastors.

This person, who has heard him speak before, said Provan’s presentation at Equip was more cordial that he has heard him in previous presentations. In his experence, Provan can be quite "dismissive and arrogant at times."

At the same time, he believes Provan is greatly appreciated by some in the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference, especially in B.C., since his presentation “told them what they want to hear.”

Another person who heard him noted that, given the title he gave his address, “Why the church needs a biblical theology of sexual intimacy, birth sex, and gender expression,” many there expected an answer. 

It never materialized, in his opinion, although, he noted Provan did not say he was going to provide one, only that the church required one.

This person was critical of Provan’s presentation in two areas.

First, he provided no reference to human sinfulness and to Christians as sinners “saved by Jesus.” That, he said, was an oversight when it comes to defining what it means to be a human being.

That, he said, “surely has to be the honest starting place in reference to communicating anything whatsoever about sexual intimacy, birth sex and gender expression.”

Failing to acknowledge that is a recipe for pride and judgmentalism, he said, noting it has huge implications for building bridges and creating meaningful relationships with the LGBTQ+ community.

Second, Provan failed to acknowledge the importance of “family, clan, tribe, people, and today, a nation-state or nationality,” this person said, and how that shapes people.

For him, this was also a big omission since people are not just individuals but part of grpups that help create identity, purpose and meaning.

A significant “tribe” for LGBTQ+ people, this person said, is what he called the “pride community.” That community provides them with a sense of belonging and identity—the same thing the church seeks to provide, but often doesn’t, for LGBTQ+ people.  

LGBTQ+ Christians who don’t find a home in a church find a home in this new tribe, he said.

From his own experience, this person said he has “witnessed unparalleled sacrificial love, compassion, awareness of other, fierce defending of dignity and honour, a thirst for justice and righteousness” in that LGBTQ+ community.

He described it as “embarrassingly more Christian” than what he has often seen in the Christian community. 

For this person, not recognizing or acknowledging the importance of the LGBTQ+ community to people who are members of it means any efforts to do mission or evangelism is “delusional” since it doesn’t recognize what it means to members of that community.

Another person who attended Provan’s presentation said his involvement in a conference about the theology of the church clearly indicated that the Conference is trying to clarify and strengthen boundaries regarding sexuality and gender.

He also wondered if Provan, as an Old Testament scholar, is qualified to speak about this topic. “I get concerned when scholars make pronouncements on fields outside of their expertise." he said.

He also shared the view of some that Provan’s presentation missed the mark when it came to the practical and on the ground matter of providing pastoral care to people who are exploring their sexual identity.

Did anyone else hear Provan’s presentation? What are your thoughts? Add them in the comment section below.

I should note I asked Provan for an interview before he spoke at Equip. He declined.