The CRC and the university hold that human sexuality is a gift from God and that sexual relations are reserved exclusively for expression in the context of marriage between a man and a woman,” he wrote. “The university’s position on human sexuality is grounded in the teachings of Scripture, the confessions, and, because of its covenantal ecclesiastical partnership with the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), the stated positions and pastoral guidance of the denomination. In response to questions about doctrinal disagreements, he highlighted the church’s stance. Answering questions by email, Calvin spokesperson Matthew Kucinski declined to comment on personnel matters. The university also declined an interview request from Inside Higher Ed. But the Christian Reformed Church is in the first camp, which places affiliated Calvin University there as well.Ĭalvin officials won’t answer questions on whether Kuilema broke any stated policy.
hold that the Bible prohibits same-sex activity, many congregations interpret the scriptures differently and, like Kuilema, welcome and uplift members of the LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex attraction is an unsettled issue in some Christian communities. “Over time, I’ve come to understand what I think the Bible is really prohibiting is abusive, coercive forms of sex, including ritual cultic sex, basically sex trafficking or religious sex in temples, and not a loving, committed, covenantal relationship between two consenting adults.” “I began to have some real questions, and for me as a Christian, the way through those questions has always been deeper engagement and deeper study,” Kuilema said. It’s a doubt that crept in when he was young and that has only grown over the years. But he also believes the prohibition on same-sex marriage is based on a misreading of the scriptures. Kuilema is no stranger to the belief system that governs Calvin University: in addition to attending the institution, he grew up as a member of the Christian Reformed Church. Kuilema understood the high stakes of officiating a wedding ceremony while working for a college affiliated with a church that believes it’s OK to be gay but sinful to physically act upon those desires. As an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, he saw the opportunity to practice what he preached. He knew the risks of officiating her wedding but said he decided, after praying on it-and consulting with his pastors, his program director and department chair-to do so anyway. Sweda is a former student of Kuilema’s, and he said he considers her a friend. “I did a lot of good for a lot of people there, and for the students that I supervised, and it really does come down to the fact that I’m openly queer why this has all happened, and I think that’s disgusting.” “Honestly, there’s nothing in my file at Calvin that is negative,” Sweda said. While Kuilema plans to appeal, he knows his days at Calvin may be limited. Memos detailing the decision to deny Kuilema reappointment note his commitment to students, his outstanding work record and the support of his colleagues, but they ultimately cite his role in officiating a same-sex marriage, in direct violation of university policies established by the Christian Reformed Church, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Now Kuilema may be out of a job as well: Calvin’s Professional Status Committee has recommended denying his reappointment for a third term. Sweda violated Calvin’s policy barring same-sex marriages for employees, but rather than fire her, the university spun off the research center as an independent entity. Last fall, Kuilema officiated the wedding of Nicole Sweda, then a research associate at Calvin’s Center for Social Research.