Posted on 08/05/2012 1:34:44 PM PDT by Morgana
While a student at Dallas Seminary a good friend of mine and I went to an IHOP to study for a Hebrew exam. My friend seemed unusually anxious, tender and, admittedly, a bit awkward. At some point during the evening I finally asked him if he was okay. He looked around cautiously, then in a whisper said to me, “I need to tell you something I have never told anyone else before.”
“Okay,” I said. “You can tell me anything.”
“I’m gay.” With that, I stood up from the table, invited him to stand up, and gave him and a hug and told him he was my brother and that I loved him.
I don’t think that heterosexuals like me can even begin to fathom the intense anxiety embedded within the heart of a gay individual, particularly if he or she is still in the process of attempting to be public about his or her inner-world. Being sensitive about such things, while at the same time affirming and embracing values that are higher than whatever brokenness and messiness we have, whether gay or straight, is tough.
Ironies Christians Must Wrestle With
Here are some ironies that I see regarding homosexuality and Christianity in general. First, I am blown away by the number of couples who claim to be Christian who are living together outside of a sanctioned marriage covenant, are sexually active, etc., and yet willing to denounce homosexual marriage as inappropriate and sinful.
I am also intrigued that our more liberal friends in the church and society move heaven and earth to dismantle the biological/genetic differences between men and women, and yet go to great lengths to amplify the supposed biological/genetic differences between a homosexual and a heterosexual.
I wonder how many heterosexual married men sitting in our pews voice disdain for homosexuality but go home and quietly turn to the Internet to watch lesbian porn.
The church seems so concerned about gay marriage, but I wonder where we were when “no-fault” divorces were first redefining our culture.
What if all the money and manpower available to Chick-Fil-A on August 1, 2012 were directed by Chrisitans toward eradicating the water crisis in Africa or poverty in the inner-cities of America?
When in general terms gays and lesbians find genuine love and care from within their own community and not from followers of Christ, then perhaps their claim we are homophobic is right on.
Values We Must Own, Whether Gay or Straight
Hebrews 12:15-16 puts forward a remarkable statement that on the surface is confusing: See to it . . . that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. The confusion comes because in the Old Testament story of Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of soup (see Genesis 25:29-34) there is not one reference to sexual immorality. What is it that the writer of Hebrews is saying?
He is laying out a principle of life, one that is applicable to the heterosexual person and homosexual person, and it is this: Esau was born hungry and needed food for survival, but that did not necessitate Esau letting his hunger define him and cause him to set aside God’s very best (in his case, the all-important blessing of birthright) for lesser things (a bowl of stew). From this insight consider the following reflections:
First, being born a certain way, whether real or perceived, does not justify forfeiting God’s best for our lives. Esau was hungry, understandably so, but to throw aside what God had designed for his life due to his hunger was completely inappropriate. The assumption that one has a disposition toward certain behavior or beliefs does not justify settling for something that God has not prescribed. As it relates to sex and sexuality, this means that settling for something less than God’s prescription of a one-man/one-woman covenant relationship, as ordained by God in Genesis 1 and 2 and affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19, is sin, whether one is gay or straight.
Secondly, we must discern how to satisfy our real or perceived dispositions without settling for something less than God’s best for our lives. For Esau it would have been to strongly deny the temptation to forfeit his birthright, satisfying his hunger with something less than the grandiose enticement put before him. As it relates to sex and sexuality, for any of us, straight or gay, it must mean amplifying meaningful intimate relationships without the sexual overtones. It might mean embracing or at least acknowledging an orientation while not letting certain behavior get the best of us.
Thirdly, it might mean we simply don’t get the bowl of soup. “You mean, I am not allowed to be sexually engaged unless it fits within the one-man/one-woman covenant relationship?” Yes. That is exactly what that means. The only alternative to the marriage covenant between one man and one woman is celibacy, regardless of whether one has a gay orientation or a straight orientation. There are no exceptions to this.
Fourthly, we must distinguish between conditioning and conduct. Esau was conditioned by the fact of his existence and his immediate environment to be hungry. Being conditioned a certain way is not inherently wrong. It is what one does with that conditioning that merits attention, and for him it was to throw good things away to satisfy his hunger. With this in mind, it is notable that the Bible never speaks against homosexual orientation–only those who “practice” consensual homosexual acts (see 1 Corinthians 6:9, for example). This has huge implications for gays and heterosexuals–how we perceive one another and ourselves.
Important Take-aways
Any sexual practice beyond the scope of one-man/one-woman convenant marriage is sin, whether one is homosexual or heterosexual. Period.
We are exhorted to limit our fellowship with believers who persist in sexual immorality (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-13), whether gay or straight. This may even include family members or friends that we dearly love. The goal, of course, is restoration (see Galatians 6:1-2).
We should welcome all who in their hunger and thirst for righteousness willingly humble themselves before the Lord Jesus (Gal. 6:10).
Quit arguing with gay people about whether or not they were born gay. All of us have real or perceived dispositions to contend with. The question is whether or not we will fully surrender ourselves to the Lord’s will for our lives.
There is never a place for mistreating or being disrespectful to a homosexual. Or anyone, for that matter. Ever. Doing so is evil.
If heterosexuals have found themselves mistreating or being hateful toward homosexuals, then they must repent. We must remember that Jesus bled for all people. Everyone has worth and dignity.
If homosexuals (and heterosexuals, for that matter) are making sexual choices apart from God’s one-man/one-woman covenant marriage context, then they must repent. God never condemns the orientation, but he is crystal clear regarding his expectations for the unique and powerful gift which is sex.
“we as a society once rejected birth control and heterosex out side of marriage.”
Incrementalism: One little change excuses the next. Societies that take small steps to the negative implode. Those that take small steps to the positive improve. The Bible is full of stories warning about such things; warning not to accept those small changes even when others claim they are harmless, because those small changes are not harmless. Hedonism is simply the acceptance of all those small changes at once.
“Okay,” I said. “You can tell me anything.”
“I’m having sex with a woman not my wife.” With that, I stood up from the table, invited him to stand up, and gave him and a hug and told him he was my brother and that I loved him.
I find it interesting that the author doesn’t address the “hate” that homosexuals have for Christians. Yet, once again, we must walk the high road. Of course, we are supposed to, however, in the NT, homosexuality is lumped with other sexual sins, so, in this area - the author is correct.
I do not, nor have I ever believed one is born a homosexual. Blacks are born black, and can’t change that. Orientals are born Orientals, and can’t change that. However, many homosexuals have accepted Christ and left behind their past sins, so, therefore, that tells us that one is NOT born a homosexual.
Gay pride event for youth planned in Coon Rapids
By Sarah Horner
shorner@pioneerpress.comtwincities.com
Posted: 08/03/2012 12:01:00 AM CDT
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21227282/anoka-hold-second-annual-pride-event-youth
why is this in a newspaper?
The situation would remain the same as it has for my entire life. We have been sending aid to Africa and the inner-cities for decades to no good effect.
I, for one, am sick of it.
And this is the idea, that women are more than chattel, that propelled the followers of the Judeo-Christian philosophy to become the rulers of the world.
Furthermore, it is the best justification there is for restricting the advancement of Islamism in America.
“The Catholic church fought the easy divorce laws, and the Protestants stood back silently because the elites told them this was the evil Catholic church trying to foist their beliefs on America.
And when abortion was made a “choice” up to the time of birth, the protestants also were told that the evil Catholics wanted to foist their beliefs on America, so most were silent (I say most, because Dr. Koop back then did oppose abortion, but I can’t remember any other prominent Protestant doctor or church leader who did the same).
When Catholics opposed euthanasia in Oregon, again the media went by the meme that the evil Catholics were trying to foist their out of date beliefs on society.
Now with “gay marriage” the Bible churches are the target, but actually it is the Catholics and LDS churches who have been most active in opposing these laws.”
Have you noticed also it has been the Protestant churches embracing homosexuality and abortion? The Episcopagan on the leading edge? Others like the Presbys and Methodist are splitting over this. Yet we the Catholics were forcing our beliefs on everyone?
You know I don’t think that is correct. Catholics just held true to our beliefs while all others showed their true colors and came out of the closet!
There is a bit of a straw man here. The writer seems to be making the point that the majority of Christians cannot make the distinction between the sin and the sinner. There are a few actual “haters” out there, of course, but not the majority.
Speaking of sin, as we take on the character of God in our Christian walk, we should be learning to love what God loves and hate what God hates. In other words, sin should be abhorrent to us. We should be disgusted by it. Remember the story of Phinehas and his spear? Look it up...Numbers 25.
The problem with sending money/aid to Africa is that the warlords always intercept it first.
I have long decided that unless one is sponsoring a missionary to Africa it is best not to send any kind of money there. Sorry to sound harsh but I will not send money to fat warlords.
I don’t believe most Christians “hate” homosexuals, but are “Hostile” towards them. There is a difference.
Mostly because the sight of homosexuals kissing/whatever is repulsive to us. That in turn makes us hostile. Hate is too strong a word to use.
I think we are hostile toward homosexuality.
We are also hostile toward adultery, fornication, theft, covetousness, murder, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect, idolatry, blasphemy, and profanity.
That doesn't mean we don't commit some or all of these ... but we do recognize them as evil.
“We are also hostile toward adultery, fornication, theft, covetousness, murder, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect, idolatry, blasphemy, and profanity.”
If only more of us were!!!! Know what I mean?
I have long decided that unless one is sponsoring a missionary to Africa it is best not to send any kind of money there. Sorry to sound harsh but I will not send money to fat warlords.
I think you nailed it.
To quote from the inimitable P.J. O'Rourke in his All The Troubles In The World (the chapter on Somalia):
A trip from our compound to Mogadishu's main market required two kids with AK-47s plus a driver and a translator who were usually armed as well. The market was walking distance but you wanted a truck to show your status. That there was a market at all in Mogadishu was testimony to something in the human spirit, though not necessarily something nice, since what was for sale was mostly food that had been donated to Somalia's famine victims. CONTRIBUÉ PAR LES ENFANTS DE FRANCE said the stenciled letters on all the rice sacks. (Every French school child had been urged to bring to class a kilo of rice for Somalia.)
NO cheers, unfortunately.
What if all the money and manpower available to Chick-Fil-A on August 1, 2012 were directed by Chrisitans toward eradicating the water crisis in Africa or poverty in the inner-cities of America?
I'm not sure what manpower he's referencing, since all people did was go to a restaurant and buy food. Christians should assist the poor and needy in furtherance of the Gospel, but let's not make this into a guilt trip. We can do so and still exercise our freedoms as Americans; it's not an "either/or".
Anglicans and Episcopalians are “genetically” closer to Catholicism than the confessional reformed churches and Baptists. If you want to see how the Presbyterians lost their property and their brand to liberals early in the 20th century, I would recommend a book by Gary North called Crossed Fingers, basically explaining how theological liberalism acts as a parasite to otherwise healthy churches, flushing out the conservative Sola Scriptura caucus, taking the property, but losing the candlestick of Christ’s presence.
Meanwhile, the true Christians escaping these denominational collapses always regroup and rekindle the flame. It is one of the greater misunderstandings between Catholics and Protestants. In a sense it is to be expected. Catholics, I believe, tend to think institutionally, and so judge Protestant institutions on their institutional merits. But the operating paradigm is different. We are more like refugees constantly escaping a pursuing enemy. I’ve seen it happen. We don’t have much power in this world. But we do have our Bibles, and each other, and the candlestick, and that’s enough.
BTW, I appreciate your posting the article. I know you had some bad experiences with some Baptists, so I also appreciate your going past that to see the good in this article. I know there are some just as you described them. Bear in mind some of us Baptists have both good and bad experiences with Catholics. Someone I love was forced into something terrible by her Catholic family for the sake of reputation and convenience, which thing I am certain no good FR Catholic would approve. But despite this I have refused to generalize, and would rather find the good when I can, and the common ground when it is there, without trying to tiptoe around the real differences when they are important.
And so that’s why I wanted to thank you for posting this. It gives me hope.
Peace,
SR
a lot of the problem is not the believers in the “mainline” churches, but that they allowed non believers into their seminaries and training colleges... because being a minister was a good career...
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