My Gay Roommate

Patheos ^ | 11/28/12 | Eric Teetsel

[rhema]

Tim and I met a few years ago at a 24 watch party. His natural intelligence, unabashed geekiness, and “Snaps” skills made us quick friends. Plus, he managed a Starbucks so there was free coffee in it for me.

Before long, I needed a new place to live and so did he. With a third friend, we rented a house together. Our friendship grew. Soon, I discovered that Tim is a serious Christian whose poignant reflections on faith and life set him apart from the pack. He was an usher in my wedding. One day, Tim told me that he had been in a years-long battle with same-sex attraction. Thus began a new aspect of our friendship.

I don’t know if my feeble attempts to support him helped at all, but Tim’s transparency was important for me. I learned a lot about the many different ways individuals experience homosexual inclination, the extent of sexual promiscuity amongst gays, and what is and isn’t helpful for those of us seeking to love our friends and family members grappling with homosexuality.

One lesson in particular stands out from the rest. Tim vacillated between acceptance of his sexual inclinations and the greater calling of his faith for years before finally finding rest in the decision to let Jesus be enough. That arduous journey was made much, much more difficult by voices from within the Church encouraging him to embrace his inclination to homosexuality.

During times when I wonder if my work with the Manhattan Declaration is worth it, I think about Tim. I imagine what it would be like if friends, counselors, pastors, and theologians worked to convince me that my greatest struggles with sin were unnecessary. That to be prideful, lusty, and greedy is just “how I was made” and that God loves me just the same. How tempting to believe such a lie! How much would I need voices of truth reminding me of my higher calling? To remind me that while God loves me just as I am, He loves me enough to make possible something greater?

When it comes to policy, God’s purpose for each human life is not an argument that yields great results in the public square. And that’s okay. Science, reason, and experience ought to form the basis of our arguments; ultimately, all truth points to the Creator. But the Manhattan Declaration is about much more than just public policy. Its subtitle is “A call of Christian conscience.” We aim to remind the Church of its role as the voice of Truth, no matter the prevailing tides in the broader culture or politics. To speak Truth is to love.

Learn more about Tim’s story in his own words! Check out the video below.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

A “serious Christian” is not going to be a homosexual unless they are celibate and repetent about it

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A “serious Christian” is not going to be a drunkard

A “serious Christian” is not going to be unfaithful

A “serious Christian” is not going to be envious

A “serious Christian” is not going to be deceitful

I always thought a “serious Christian” was a sinner who needs Christ.

[metmom]

A “serious Christian” is not going to be a homosexual unless they are celibate and repetent about it

I agree, someone cannot be a "serious Christian" and live an immoral lifestyle of any kind.

Everyone has their own set of struggles and weaknesses in temptation. I really feel sorry for someone who is tempted in that area.

It's that *sin that so easily besets us* thing.

[boatbums]

Good article! I just saw an article a few days ago from the Los Angeles Times about "scientists" discovering a biological connection to pedophilia in some people. Just as the so-called consensus now, that homosexuality is inborn, it won't be long before the inclination of adult men to have sex with young children will also have to be accepted by society and become a new "right". Just shows what happens when nations abandon God and His principles and reach the point where "every man does what is right in his own eyes".

I'm happy that "Tim" has discovered that the Lord gives strength to those who desire to obey Him regardless of their human wants OR needs. Many people do as he said, even in some churches, and they actually encourage others to do things they KNOW is a sin, all in the attempt to appear "cool" or with it or understanding. Homosexuality is certainly nothing new. It obviously was a problem almost from the time mankind began, and God NEVER condoned the actions - He calls it an abomination. Just as He does, we should love the sinner (since we all are sinners) but hate the sin and we CAN help fellow Christians to overcome any sin in their lives so that they are free to serve God in truth and honor Him with bodies that are "living sacrifices" to His glory.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I have known quite a few gay & lesbians, and can count on one hand, not a full hand, the “stable” ones. And of those, only one seemed to be pretty downright normal. All of the others make me sad to think about what went wrong in their lives, what terrible burden that they must be carrying, that only faith and forgiveness can heal.

[EDINVA]

You might try reading the article to its conclusion before posting. Just a thought.

[GOPJ]

This whole piece comes across as high level liberal propaganda... like a movie celebrating violence by showing it - wallowing in it - then doing a little wrap-up of standard morality at the end of the film. The real 'message' being enjoyment of violence.

In this piece the subliminal message is 'we're all sinners and God loves us so it's OK to be gay' because no one's perfect'. It's the old 'everyone's doing it so don't judge' crap that every liberal uses as their mantra.

But of course liberals do judge, and very harshly. They judge conservatives, traditional values, loving families, being honest, telling the truth... etc...

[mlizzy]

Excellent article; thanks for posting...