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Sorry, But We Won’t Rewrite the Bible for Gays and Lesbians
Townhall.com ^ | June 27, 2016 | Michael Brown

Posted on 06/28/2016 8:45:08 AM PDT by Kaslin

In response to my open letter to Isaac Archuleta, who describes himself as a bisexual Christian, Richard S. posted a lengthy comment on my personal Facebook page, including this statement: “The logical conclusion to your theology (gays can change and if they don't it must be because they don't have faith or are deceived) is extremely damaging to the souls of gay people. That was the point of Isaac's letter. No amount of nice words will erase the damage. Only honest reconsideration of your theology will bring healing. Please don't discount/deny the faith of your gay brothers and sisters. They have much to contribute to the church.”

Of course, Richard has completely misstated what conservative Christians believe (we don’t say or believe that if gays don’t change “it must be because they don't have faith or are deceived”), just as other parts of his comment (not quoted here) were also based on serious misunderstandings.

But that is secondary to the bigger issue, and Richard is one of many who are telling serious Bible believers that, “Only honest reconsideration of your theology will bring healing.”

He could not be more wrong.

First, what Scripture says on homosexual practice is not negotiable, and no amount of new books or videos or personal stories will change that.

As I explained in my book Can You Be Gay and Christian?, “no new textual, archeological, sociological, anthropological, or philological discoveries have been made in the last fifty years that would cause us to read any of these biblical texts differently. Put another way, it is not that we have gained some new insights into what the biblical text means based on the study of the Hebrew and Greek texts. Instead, people’s interaction with the LGBT community has caused them to understand the biblical text differently.”

Simply stated, if not for the sexual revolution, no one would be reexamining what the Scriptures state about God’s intention for His creation.

No one would be wondering if two men or two women could “marry” or if a husband could also be a wife.

No one would be doubting that the Lord made men for women and women for men and that any deviation from that pattern was contrary to His design and intent.

As one New Testament scholar was candid enough to admit, it was clear to him that the Bible forbade homosexual practice, but when his own daughter came out as a lesbian, he changed his opinion on the subject.

That’s why I’ve often stated that there is not a single argument that can be brought from God’s Word to defend homosexual practice, but there are powerful emotional arguments that can be brought. In that context, I’m often reminded of Jesus’ words that, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37).

The father of a “gay Christian” activist changed churches when his home congregation rejected his son’s views on homosexuality. When asked about these words of Jesus, he commented that there were other churches he could go to, but he had only one son.

I could only wince when I heard his words, so loving in one way but so destructive in another.

Second, if there was something to reconsider in our theology we would gladly do it. The truth be told, as impossible as the “gay Christian” arguments struck me, I went to the Lord about them, buying the books that defended this new way of reading Scripture, reading the stories (and listening to the stories) of professing gay Christians, allowing my heart to be torn and my mind to be challenged.

At the end of the day, as a biblical scholar, a lover of Jesus, and a lover of people, it was impossible for me to accept their arguments. The Word is just too clear on this, and without some kind of emotional or social or other pressure to reconsider what Scripture states, no one would deny this.

Third, those who argue that Christians agree to disagree on lots of things without denying each other’s faith fail to realize that they do not agree to disagree on behaviors that Scripture strongly condemns – unless they themselves are living in some kind of moral compromise.

We’re not dealing here with a question of whether speaking in tongues is for today or whether Christians are required to tithe or whether Jesus is coming before the tribulation.

We’re dealing with redefining the very meaning of marriage and claiming that a behavior that is plainly condemned in the Old and New Testaments – I’m talking about same-sex cohabitation – is now blessed by God.

And while God alone is the judge of every professing Christian, be that person gay or straight, we cannot embrace as fellow brothers and sisters those who are affirming, practicing, and even celebrating homosexuality.

We will put our arms around everyone who struggles with same-sex attraction, loving them and embracing them and encouraging them in their walk with the Lord, whether their walk entails transformation from homosexual to heterosexual or whether it entails celibacy.

But we will not and cannot affirm and bless what the Lord Himself opposes. To do so is to do a disservice to those in the LGBT community.

Fourth, God’s message of grace and truth brings healing and wholeness and deliverance and freedom, as millions of people from every walk of life can attest, including large numbers of people who once identified as LGBT.

I’m quite aware that there are genuine homo-haters in the Church (I plan to address this yet again in the coming days; God is their judge as well), and I’m quite aware that Christians have often failed to demonstrate Christlike love and compassion to the LGBT community (to put it mildly).

But I’m also quite aware that when we speak the truth in love and people actually hear what we’re saying (not the interpretation they put on our words but the real message of our words), if that message is received it will bring life not death.

To all of you reading this article who say, “I’m gay, I’m Christian, I’m involved in a same-sex relationship, and we’re thriving in the Lord,” I invite you to call my radio show or to send me your story or, if you live in my city, to get together with me and some of your friends – not for the purpose of debate but for the purpose of honest, loving, heartfelt interaction.

And if you have time, would you watch my video, “Can You Be Gay and Christian?” and tell me what I don’t understand and where I don’t display genuine empathy?

And if you’d like to read my book by the same title and you genuinely can’t afford it, email me your story, include your address, and I’ll send you a copy for free. You will not find a hateful word in the book, but you will find someone who cares.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: bible; lgbt; orlando
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1 posted on 06/28/2016 8:45:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

They won’t rewrite the bible, they’ll just make it illegal.


2 posted on 06/28/2016 8:49:19 AM PDT by caver (Obama: Home of the Whopper)
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To: Kaslin
The Significance of the Bible is the first sermon Charlie Garrett ever preached. It is the best explanation of the true significance of the Bible that I have ever heard or read.
3 posted on 06/28/2016 8:50:13 AM PDT by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR!e)
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To: caver
Like guns, it needs regulated. We need "common sense" laws regarding speech against gays and lesbians.

/s

4 posted on 06/28/2016 8:52:21 AM PDT by BipolarBob (I'm so open minded that you should only think like me.)
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To: Kaslin

It’s in the BOOK, that’s the way it will be.

But the WORD of the LORD endures forever.” And this is the WORD that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25


5 posted on 06/28/2016 8:52:35 AM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12)
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To: Kaslin

Whore’s can change and so can you.


6 posted on 06/28/2016 8:53:50 AM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway - "Enjoy Yourself" ala Louis Prima)
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To: Kaslin

Or fornicators either.


7 posted on 06/28/2016 8:53:57 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: Kaslin

It’s a free country - people can re-write the Bible all they want. We just don’t have to accept the re-writes as worthy of following.


8 posted on 06/28/2016 8:57:33 AM PDT by Trumpinator ("Are you Batman?" the boy asked. "I am Batman," Trump said. youtube.com/watch?v=HZA9k7WAuiY)
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To: Kaslin

They keep trying....


9 posted on 06/28/2016 8:57:41 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: Kaslin

... Don’t know why this is such a big story since it has already been rewritten years ago in a gay friendly format and is currently available on Amazon and other venues.


10 posted on 06/28/2016 8:58:13 AM PDT by R_Kangel ( "A Nation of Sheep ..... Will Beget ..... a Nation Ruled by Wolves.")
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To: Kaslin
This is what I say to friends and family who support "gay" marriage.

God didn't BLOW Sodom/Gomorrah off the map because He was bored one day!

11 posted on 06/28/2016 9:08:11 AM PDT by painter ( Isaiah: �Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,")
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To: Kaslin
Sorry?
There is absolutely no need to apologise to anyone.
12 posted on 06/28/2016 9:08:25 AM PDT by Mr Radical
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To: caver

They won’t rewrite the bible, they’ll just make it illegal.


Or they will rewrite it and make the original illegal.


13 posted on 06/28/2016 9:10:58 AM PDT by samtheman (Trump For America.)
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To: painter

“God didn’t BLOW Sodom/Gomorrah off the map because He was bored one day! “

Heck, I memorized this one!

lol


14 posted on 06/28/2016 9:13:08 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) since Nov 2014 (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: Kaslin

‘“The logical conclusion to your theology (gays can change and if they don’t it must be because they don’t have faith or are deceived) is extremely damaging to the souls of gay people. ‘

Consdier the stmt. His position is he has no need of repentence but you do. Either you embrace and validate as good/right/correct/etc his perversion or youll be labelled the bad guy. This is how evil does it gang.


15 posted on 06/28/2016 9:15:32 AM PDT by 556x45
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To: Kaslin

Please pardon my verbiage because Ketill is drunk :)

But I fought a war with Reddit people because they think ODIN is biracial and LGBT
HE IS NOT. And the people who who think He is are all 300lb tanks. Telling people to listen to THEM.
FIRST thing ODIN did was to tell me to get my s*** together, I need warriors, get healthy, diet, start running again, and today after months He said, OK, have some beer.
So I’m malt liquor blotto. HAIL ODIN!!!


16 posted on 06/28/2016 9:16:13 AM PDT by Ketill Frostbeard ("Socialism is the Sword of Islam, and Islam is Satan clothed in flesh.")
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To: Ketill Frostbeard

That early? When do you start drinking? *grin*


17 posted on 06/28/2016 9:19:27 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him. He got them and now we have to pay the consequences)
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To: Kaslin

Bookmarked


18 posted on 06/28/2016 9:20:08 AM PDT by Gamecock ( Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul...Matthew 10:28)
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To: Kaslin

Amen Michael Brown.


19 posted on 06/28/2016 9:23:12 AM PDT by Hostage (ARTICLE V)
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To: Kaslin

It’s the sin or the faith.

Just Christians - On Homosexuality & Christian Identity
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=26-04-003-e#ixzz34LFWkci7


20 posted on 06/28/2016 9:23:40 AM PDT by Qiviut (In Islam you have to die for Allah. The God I worship died for me. [Franklin Graham])
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