Posted on 08/11/2007 10:08:38 PM PDT by KerryOnNoMore
Amen, and amen!
Thank you so much for your encouragements!
However, (since you know my background and personal calling) I would add just a bit:
I confess though that it troubles me when one of my brothers or sisters in Christ hinges his belief in Jesus Christ [and his testimony for Jesus] on [falsified] physical evidence of a young earth. It is tantamount to saying “God, if you did not create everything in the way that I have interpreted your Holy Scriptures, then I reject you.”
The possible difference in this case may be whether or not the vet had come to Christ through repentance. That was not mentioned in the article. It’s omitting that info LEADS me to believe that the man was not saved. There is a vast difference between your friend and the message at his funeral and the funeral of an open and unrepentant homosexual.
That is in error. Many churches allow for ecclisiastical divorces. (not to be confused with catholic anulment doctrine)
However these people are DEMANDING this church publich speak of this man’s recreational sex life.
NOBODY elses divorce goes into that. We never hear about bedroom acrobatics about the person.
Homosexuality is only about recreational sex period. The church is under no obligation to celebrate recrational sex lives of homosexuals.
“Churches need to reach out to the gay community”
Unfortunately, that beginning is almost always distorted to become, “churches need to accept homosexuality as good in God’s eyes.”
I know that’s not what you meant, but that’s what the Father of Lies brings about when ordinary people “reach out.”
Oh. I see there is no point in have a reasoned discussion with you. bu bye.
Since your view of reason dismisses the Bible, I guess not. Wearing pink these days?
People with besetting sins have church services all the time. Why should homosexuality be considered a greater sin than lying, cheating, having affairs, etc.
This church missed an opportunity to speak to people who really, really need to hear the gospel. I consider that to be a grievous sin.
“Let he is without sin, cast the first stone”.
Even when the road is extremely rocky.
So, can you provide me a list of sins commited by people that are so bad that we should not preach the gospel to them? I can't seem to find such a list in my Bible.
God gave us marching orders to preach the gospel to all peoples. The Apostle Paul murdered Christians before he became one. Are you worried that if we preach the gospel to murderers that we are in danger of accepting murder?
Thank you for your encouragements!
Thank you so much for your post, MamaB!
No, the church who decided how to handle the service is the judge of whether or not to condone an unrighteous lifestyle via their pastoral services. We humans can only judge a man’s behavior, not his state of grace. As far as we know, the man did not renounce his homosexual lifestyle before death and so did not meet this church’s standards for the reward of a service on hallowed ground. What if this same church doesn’t allow homosexual wedding ceremonies? Is that a problem for you as well?
Would we even be having this conversation if the man had been an active pedophile, murderer, rapist or thief? It’s beginning to look as though homosexuals are going to get preferential treatment even after they’re dead.
Homosexuality is not a crime. Besides, the memorial is for the living—his or her family.
I didn't say that I knew (and I certainly don't claim to be God!), but he apparently didn't tell the church, his family or his lover and prevent embarrassment all around. The church, who knew he was a homosexual and welcomed him into their congregation, didn't decline to host the service until they discovered via the obituary that the man was apparently an active homosexual. God will judge them accordingly.
My personal experience is that a large percentage of gay men were molested as children. I've also found out that almost 100% of gay men (I can't vouch for lesbians) were rejected or felt rejected by their fathers when they were growing up.
I have heard and read similar information. It's painful to me to know what some have gone through and how it has destroyed what their lives should have been. God will be judging the particulars in those instances. Repentance is key, which is the point of my original statement.
How would you like to go to heaven and find out that someone you rejected is in hell because you felt that you were too good to witness to them?
I'm certainly not "too good" to witness to any other sinner, as I'm at least as guilty of sin as they are, if not more so.
The point is that you see a gay man as someone that you should not associate with. God sees them as sinners but also wants them to repent and come to him. Churches need to reach out to the gay community (note that I did not say compromise God's word) and invite them in.
From "Sinners who don't repent are not accorded the same rewards as sinners who do", you assume quite a lot about my views of homosexuality. Not that you asked, but I see extremely confused, unhappy and, in some cases, deceived people who are as in danger of losing eternal life as any other person who allows something, anything, to get between him and God. There are possibly a rare few who are chemically unbalanced at birth, just as hermaphrodites are physically flawed.
I will admit I have far more sympathy towards anyone who is ashamed of whatever sin they commit and that I have a harder time loving those who parade their unrighteousness, particularly when they deliberately mock God. But that goes for any kind of unrighteousness, not just homosexuality.
Finally, if I am guilty of immorality at my time of death, I do not expect any church to conduct my memorial service.
Yeah, but the bible specifically says that God hates divorce. It shouldn’t be taken as lightly as some take it.
More truth! Thanks.
“So, can you provide me a list of sins commited by people that are so bad that we should not preach the gospel to them?”
Don’t put words into my mouth. There is a world of difference between preaching the Gospel and “reaching out.”
IMO, the fact that you call those who celebrate sodomy “the Gay community” shows that you are already moving in the direction I predicted.
There’s nothing gay about Hell, and they are not a community, but a sad conglomeration of dysfunctional accomplices in abomination.
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