Gilbert Bilezikian

Gilbert Bilezikian (born Paris, June 26, 1927) is an American Christian writer, professor, and lecturer.[1] He is a co-founder, together with Bill Hybels, of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., "one of America's most important churches."[2] Christianity Today has called him "the man behind the megachurch." The publication further states that without Gilbert Bilezikian, "There would be no Willow Creek—no small groups, no women in leadership, no passion for service."[3] In 2020, Willow Creek made public allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" by Bilezikian.

Gilbert Bilezikian
Born (1927-06-27) June 27, 1927
Paris
OccupationWriter, professor, and lecturer
NationalityUnited States
EducationUniversity of Paris
Alma materGordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
SubjectChristianity

Early life and education

Bilezikian was reared in Paris, France, by parents who were Armenian refugees. He was drafted in the French army where he served as a medic in North Africa during the Algerian liberation conflict. He first came to the United States in 1947, and then again in 1961 to serve for five years as pastor of the Loudonville Community Church outside of Albany, N.Y. He returned to Paris for seven years during which he taught at the European Bible Institute while he also served as Minister of Christian Education at the American Church in Paris.[4]

Bilezikian earned his BA from the University of Paris, his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Boston University. He also pursued a seven-year post-doctoral program at the Sorbonne in Paris under Professor Oscar Cullmann.

Career

For 20 years, Bilezikian was a professor at Wheaton College.[5] He interrupted his tenure at Wheaton to assume for three years the presidency of Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, and to teach two years at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. In 1992, he became Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus at Wheaton College. That title was rescinded on February 28, 2020, by Wheaton College, as announced in an e-mail to the community by its President, Philip Ryken.[6]

Bilezikian co-founded Willow Creek Community Church with Bill Hybels in 1975 and was Hybels' mentor.[5][7][8][9] In 2000, Hybels said "There would be no Willow Creek without Gilbert Bilezikian."[10]

Sexual abuse allegations

Hybels resigned from Willow Creek Community Church in April 2018 following allegations of misconduct.[9] In January 2020, the church announced that Bilezikian had "engaged in inappropriate behavior" after a long time church member alleged he had sexually assaulted her a number of times between 1984 and 1988.[9][11][12] Bilezikian denied the accusations and said the church had "violated the Bible's teaching on dealing with accusations against fellow Christians."[9][11]

The church Elder Board said they had restricted Bilezikian from serving within the church when allegations were brought to them in 2010, however in 2015 at the church's 40th anniversary he was honored as a "living legend" of the church.[13] In January 2020, the Elder Response Team said they "did restrict him from serving, but the restriction was not adequately communicated, resulting in Dr. Bilezikian serving and teaching in various capacities over the years."[14]

Publications

In addition to numerous articles, Bilezikian is the author of several books:

  • Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says about a Woman's Place in Church and Family (1985 1st Edition & 2nd Editions; 2006 3rd Edition; Baker Academic)
  • Christianity 101: Your Guide to Eight Basic Christian Beliefs (1993 Zondervan)
  • Community 101 (1993 Zondervan)
  • Community 101: Reclaiming the Local Church as Community of Oneness
  • Comunidad Elemental: Reivindicando la iglesia locol como una comunidad unida (Spanish ed.)
  • From Despair to Hope (2012)
  • How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership (2010 Zondervan)
  • The Liberated Gospel: A Comparison of the Gospel of Mark and Greek Tragedy (1977 Baker; reprinted 2010 Wipf and Stock)

References
  1. Sébastien Fath Du ghetto au réseau: Le protestantisme évangélique en France 2005, page 248
  2. Sébastien Fath, Jean-Paul Willaime Nouvelle France protestante: Essor et recomposition au XXIe siècle 2011, page 274
  3. Winner, Lauren F. "The Man Behind the Megachurch". Christianity Today, November 30, 2000. <http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/november13/4.56.html>
  4. Bilezikian, Gilbert. "The Collected Teaching, Writing, and Reflections of Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian".<http://www.gilbertbilezikian.com Archived April 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine>
  5. Winner, Lauren F. (November 13, 2000). "The Man Behind the Megachurch". Christianity Today. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  6. Miller E.M. Wheaton College rescinds title from Gilbert Bilezikian amid new allegations. Religion News Service:Christianity. February 29, 2020.
  7. Goldsborough, Bob (November 21, 2018). "Alan Johnson, Wheaton College professor who promoted the role of women in churches, dies at 85". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  8. Neumaier, Edith (2016). The Mystery of Adam: Biblical Gender Equality Based on the Common Origin of Male and Female. WestBow Press.
  9. Warren, Steve (January 29, 2020). "Willow Creek Announces Abuse Allegations Against Church Co-Founder". CBN News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  10. McFarlan Miller, Emily (January 28, 2020). "Willow Creek Confirms Abuse Allegations Against Gilbert Bilezikian". Christianity Today. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  11. "Willow Creek co-founder now accused of sexual misconduct". MetroVoice News. January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  12. Banks, Adelle M. (January 31, 2020). "US church Willow Creek announces senior pastor candidates, interim pastor out". Sight Magazine. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  13. West, Marsha (January 31, 2020). "Willow Creek Honored As 'Living Legend' the Cofounder it Believed Abused Congregant". Christian Research Network. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  14. "More Abuse Allegations Turn Up at Willow Creek Church". CBS Chicago. January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
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