Posted on 02/24/2020 6:54:56 AM PST by Kaslin
According to a new Lifeway Research survey, while 47 percent of “mainline” pastors now support same-sex “marriage,” only 8 percent of evangelical pastors do. More specifically, “Presbyterian or Reformed (49%), Methodist (47%), Lutheran (35%) and Christian/Church of Christ pastors (20%) are more likely to see nothing wrong with same-sex marriage than Baptist (3%) or Pentecostal pastors (1%).”
None of this is surprising in the least.
First, as noted by Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, “The movement we see among pastors’ views of same-sex marriage has less to do with their denominational tradition than their view of the Bible.”
Accordingly, those who hold most faithfully to the authority of Scripture will be the least inclined to change their views on homosexuality. Put another way, those who believe the Bible to be God’s inspired, unchanging Word will be the least likely to compromise their convictions based on societal changes.
“An evangelical distinctive,” McConnell continued, “is the ultimate authority the Bible has over one’s beliefs despite changing cultural perspectives. It is not surprising then that evangelical pastors across different denominations continue to view same-sex marriage as wrong through this lens.”
That’s because the Bible is unambiguous in its condemnation of homosexual unions. Under all circumstances, regardless of how much love or commitment is involved, they are sinful in God’s sight and contrary to His established order.
At the same time, mercy and forgiveness are offered for all, including practicing homosexuals. The Word is equally clear on this (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
That’s why, when I had a mini-debate with “gay Christian” poster boy Matthew Vines, he could not offer a single Scripture verse in support of his position. (For a graphic illustration of the scriptural bankruptcy of the “gay Christian” argument, see here.)
When it comes to “mainline” pastors, which these days primarily refers to “progressive” or “liberal” pastors, they are more inclined to interpret Scripture through the lens of contemporary culture than to evaluate contemporary culture through the lens of Scripture.
As a result, they are more likely to disbelieve fundamental, biblical truths, including: the Bible as God’s infallible Word; salvation coming only through Jesus; the virgin birth and the resurrection; eternal reward and eternal punishment.
That’s why it’s no surprise that these same pastors, who have waffled on the most foundational issues, will waffle on things like gay “marriage” too. What else could we expect?
Ironically, it is the Pentecostals, who are often derided for their belief that the Spirit continues to speak today, who are the most conservative of all, with only 1 percent of their pastors affirming same-sex “marriage.”
But that, too, should come as no surprise. That’s because the reason Pentecostals believe that prophecy and tongues are for today is because they believe that the Word of God means what it says. That’s also why they reject same-sex “marriage.”
Pentecostals also emphasize the importance of the new birth and life in the Spirit. This means that the vast majority of their adherents will have a greater devotion to the Lord and His Word than those of “mainline” churches, which often downplay the concept of personal relationship with God.
All this would be in keeping with a 10-country religious survey published in 2006, titled, “Spirit and Power – A Ten Country Survey of Pentecostals.”
The survey indicated that, “In addition to their distinctive religious experiences, renewalists also stand out for the intensity of their belief in traditional Christian doctrines and practices. For instance, in eight of the 10 countries surveyed (all except the U.S. and Chile), majorities of nonrenewalist Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word; but this view is even more common among pentecostals than among non-renewalist Christians. Similarly, large majorities of all Christians, renewalists and nonrenewalists alike, believe that miracles still occur today as in ancient times. But this belief tends to be even more intense among pentecostals and, to a lesser extent, charismatics than among nonrenewalist Christians.”
It is true that, according to the recent Lifeway Research survey, the more educated the pastor, the more likely he (or she) was to accept same-sex “marriage.” Specifically, “Those with a doctorate (27%) or a master’s degree (32%) are more likely to support same-sex marriage than pastors with a bachelor’s degree (9%) or no college degree (6%).”
But, once again, it is also more likely that many of those who pursued more advanced degrees view the Bible through a more modernist lens than those who chose not to pursue such degrees. Education, in and of itself, does not guarantee orthodoxy. This is especially so when the seminaries attended are themselves liberal.
Interestingly, “Pastors of churches with fewer than 50 in attendance are more likely to see nothing wrong with two people of the same gender getting married (33%) than those at churches with 100 or more in attendance (19%).”
This would confirm what I have written about numerous times, namely, that “progressive Christianity” is doomed to fail.
That’s why, while 47 percent of “mainline” pastors now affirm same-sex relations, they represent an increasingly small minority of American pastors as a whole as their congregations are dwindling. In stark contrast, Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity is exploding around the globe.
One group adheres more faithfully to the Word and relies on the Spirit’s power. The other does not.
The results are as expected.
No way. I was baptized in the Catholic church when I was a week old, and I die as a Catholic. My husband is a Baptist (Northern, he has never been baptized. I say he’s a heathen. (not really as he believes in God.
I was watching Family Feud yesterday on GSN and one of the contestant said she was a preacher. All I could do was shake my head. If the Lord had wanted women to be preachers I am sure he would have made Maria Magdalena one of his Apostle and told her to go out in the world and preach his word.
Since they don't break up Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc. churches into branches (Evangelical Presbyterian, Missouri Synod, etc.), this is a rather meaningless statistic. I see similar statements all the time. For example, "The Lutheran Church allows gays and lesbians to serve as clergy." Well, no. The ELCA does, the Missouri Synod doesn't, and it's the Missouri Synod that's growing, especially among young people.
I notice the lead article speaks of “pentecostals” who are very opposed to the Sodom and Gomorrah plague among us today, but this is not nearly so true of “charismatics” (though some call them “pentecostals”).
I can say I have never known ANY pentecostal pastor, especially among the “classic” pentecostal groups like the UPC (United Pentecostal Church), who is not absolutely opposed to homosexuality, same sex marriage, etc.
This article is very true in that regard.
The way I put it is like this.
You can be homosexual and Christian.
You can’t STAY homosexual and Christian.
Eventually one or the other must win out.
with two people of the same gender getting married (33%)
= = =
Extrapolate down to a church with two members.
What is chance of a same-sex marriage between them?
Ping!
What matters is what is in the Bible and the Bible only accepts marriage between one man and one woman. Everything else is just wrong. You can go ahead and do wrong and see what happens in the long run if you want to, just don’t involve me or expect me to condone or accept what you do.
I’ll stick with this and related passages: Romans 1:18-32
I guess it is up to you to find out if the preacher is wrong.
So if you have to read the Bible and understand it first, why do you need a preacher, especially one who will lead you astray and that you have to correct? I do like a church with good singing though.
Perhaps one of the other should have changed their name so as not to confuse people...
It is not uncommon for fundamentalist Pentecostal churches to have women preachers. They are supposed to have an overseer, and cannot perform weddings, but other functions in the church are open to them.
Agree, poorly worded.
Agree with #14 “Forgiveness is there for practicing homosexuals if they repent and cease practicing, same as for every other sinner and we all are”
if they repent and cease practicing, AND accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. NOTHING is “FREE”.
As with most other sinners, they WON’T!
Matthew 7: 13-14 NIV
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
I’ve read Michael Brown for years, and I can guarantee you that he is talking about forgiveness with repentance, that is, then turning away from being a practicing homosexual.
How to twist scripture to accommodate your social agenda:
Target: Homosexual’s in positions of spiritual counselors.
Blocking Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:12 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.
Resolution: Allow homosexuals interested in pastorate to become “married”. The homosexual can now qualify as “husband of one wife”. The “pastor” or “deacon” has access to pre-pubescent children for counseling...AKA: grooming.
Plan was determined circa 1980. Play the long game.
Could simply be a correlation of church size with church type, if “mainline churches” have a smaller average size than Spirit-filled churches. A more meaningful statistic may be small (<50) rural churches vs. urban churches. I’d expect the small rural churches to be more pro-Bible for both “mainline” and Spirit-filled churches.
I have a lot of trouble with the Catholic “religion” mainly because it is a “religion” not a “faith”.
Having said that, I respect Catholics TREMENDOUSLY for their stand on abortion. Also great on same sex marriage (for now) since the radical heretic currently serving as a pretend pope is trying to change things.
I think the current pope is backed by Satan himself. (not kidding). I do lose some respect for Catholics because they refuse to denounce and impeach him. Some have tried, but the outrage is too silent. STAND UP FOR GOD! The pope is just a man.
I have evolved on women’s roles in the church. At first I was opposed to women pastors and the like.
Then, I have had a change of heart (God inspired) that the roles of women in the church has been suffocated by the men in charge of churches.
It’s okay for women to prepare meals and was the dishes and clean the toilets for a bible study class, but not LEAD a bible study?
I don’t think so.
The total patriarchal dominance of the church is in error. Women are God’s children too not just the church’s maids.
Another good article.
True.
Even someone who is a practicing homosexual is offered forgiveness and new life in Christ.
That does not mean, or imply, that they stay in that state. It’s just that there is no sinner who is beyond God’s offer of forgiveness.
****
Then they're not fundamental.
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