Are evangelicals changing their minds about same-sex relationships?

Christian Post ^ | 08/15/2020 | Jim Denison

[SeekAndFind]

Two reports caught my eye this week.

One: In 2007, 90 percent of evangelicals said their church forbid (63 percent) or strongly discouraged (27 percent) “homosexual behaviors.” In 2020, that figure has dropped to 65 percent (33.7 percent forbid, while 31.4 percent strongly discourage).

Two: In 2008, 34.4 percent of evangelicals between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five supported same-sex marriage. In 2018, that figure had risen to 56.1 percent.

Could this data be related? Are evangelical churches changing their position on same-sex marriage to align with and attract younger adults? Are younger evangelicals changing their position on same-sex marriage because their churches are? Or are both happening?

When perception is reality

For twenty centuries, orthodox Christians have known that the Bible forbids same-sex sexual relations. (For more, see my website paper, “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?”)

However, as we noted yesterday, we currently live in a “post-truth” culture that is convinced perception is reality and truth is whatever you believe it to be. Tolerance is the cardinal value of our day, while intolerance is the cardinal sin.

This insistence on relative truth and subjective morality directly contradicts the fact that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) through the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) as unchanging truth (Matthew 24:35). Jesus was clear when he told his Father, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Nonetheless, the “perception is reality” approach to truth is applied today to moral issues across the spectrum of life, from abortion to euthanasia. It flies in the face of logic (to claim there are no absolute truths is to make an absolute truth claim). And it is applied subjectively to behavior we wish to tolerate rather than objectively to all of life. (Otherwise, 9/11 would be Osama bin Laden’s “truth” and racial sin would be the racist’s “truth.”)

But there’s another dimension to the story, one that evangelicals who affirm biblical morality may not always consider.

“Acceptances precedes obedience”

Dr. Preston Sprinkle, president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, notes that we are most likely to vilify the sins we are least likely to commit. He writes, “In many ways, Christians have treated LGBT+ people the same way the Pharisees treated tax collectors. And so Jesus’ approach to tax collectors gives us a good model for how we are to embody the gospel toward LGBT+ people.”

How did our Lord treat them? His example shows us that, as Sprinkle notes, “acceptance doesn’t equal affirmation.” Rather, “acceptance precedes obedience.”

Matthew and Zacchaeus were both tax collectors when Jesus called them. His acceptance of them did not imply affirmation of their sins. Rather, it led to a relationship that produced obedience and transformation in their lives.

Sprinkle adds that even if we could convince people to live by biblical morality, “We’re saved by faith, not sexual purity” (his emphasis). Our job is to stand for biblical truth but to do so with biblical grace.

Why we must not “self-censor our gospel witness”

I am glad that two-thirds of evangelicals say their churches still affirm biblical morality with regard to same-sex marriage. I grieve for those churches who do not and wonder how many of their members are missing the truth they need on this and other crucial issues.

For our sake and those we influence, we must not waver in our commitment to biblical truth. It has been noted that we don’t break the commands of God—we break ourselves on them. A man who jumps from the tenth story of a building doesn’t break the law of gravity—he illustrates it.

Nor should we withdraw from the declaration of unpopular truth. As Janet Denison notes in her latest blog, “When the faithful self-censor our gospel witness, we give up the power to lead others to faith.”

Here’s our best response: affirm and share biblical truth with biblical grace. “Speaking the truth in love” is our mandate and should be our mantra (Ephesians 4:15). People need to know what God says about sexuality and other areas of life, but they also need to know that we are sharing his truth out of gratitude for his grace.

Why “grace is given”

We are all broken sexually and in every other dimension of our lives. We were sinners when Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8) and we are still sinners today (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 10). We are all in need of Jesus’ acceptance and transformation.

When we give others what we have received in a spirit of compassion and gratitude, we glorify our Lord and invite others to join his family.

As St. Augustine noted, “Grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.”

What grace will you pay forward today?

[escapefromboston]

The oligarchs wanted gay “marriage” and they got it. Now you aren’t allowed to even complain about it.

[Chickensoup]

I have found that hard shelled evangelicals are much more open to homeosexuality or lesbianism in their children.

Anything to avoid transgenderism.

Transgenderism has normalized homosexual behavior

[444Flyer]

Ezekiel 3:18

"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

[Responsibility2nd]

A stupid question deserves a stupid answer. Therefore I have no answer to give.

[Bayard]

Some people are born who can never marry. Jesus himself said this. Matthew 19:12.

Its what Jesus Himself has said. Matrimony is calling in life, not a guaranteed way you are called to experience in this life.

[lurk]

Some will accept it under the errant flag of love and grace. Others will be silent but against it.

[vpintheak]

Out of supposed “kindness” and “respect” churches just kind of ignore the issue as a whole. Popular culture has filled that void to the detriment of all.
Churches are failing to preach the gospel as a whole. Sin, Repentance, and Salvation.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: A stupid question deserves a stupid answer.

Why is it a stupid question?

[Maris Crane]

The people who do the throwing also get a little joy out of their jobs.

This is sooo sick.

[Old Yeller]

God didn’t change his mind on the subject, so I won’t.

[Persevero]

I guess “evangelicals” is a loose term. How is it defined?

“Fundamentalist” used to mean adhering to the Four Fundamentals. Now it just means Bible believer in the mainstream media. Usually perjoratively.

If “evangelicals” are endorsing sexual sin there is nothing evangelistic about them. I prefer the term “bible believing Christian” for myself; if pressed, reformed, Calvinistic, which are just shorthand for the embrace of particular interpretations about how God saves, the mechanics of things.

[Meatspace]

“Two: In 2008, 34.4 percent of evangelicals between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five supported same-sex marriage. In 2018, that figure had risen to 56.1 percent.”

Surely with the next generation, those that are now under age 18, will turn against same-sex marriage.

[444Flyer]

"As in the days of Lot"...

It doesn't make a difference what title you claim. There is no fear of God with anyone that approves of what the Lord clearly says in a abomination. And that goes for all of man's approval of sin when God states it clearly in His word but people choose to rebel against it. It all goes back to Genesis and the devil's deception in "Did God really say?"

It isn't 'love' to allow someone to go to Hell without warning them.

Matthew 7:22-23:

Many will say to me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[left that other site]

Amen.

[baclava]

Priests will never give up their little boys, it’s what keep the Catholic church in business. Grooming little altar boys for the next generations of their cult priests, so naturally they don’t care what hole gets filled.

[Responsibility2nd]

Consider the source. The Christian Post is a liberal left-wing sect of so-called Christians. I’ve seen enough of their drivel to form an opinion that they are trying to divide and conquer Christianity.

They like to pose innocent questions like this to try and persuade weak and feeble minds into accepting sins; such as homosexuality. I’ve learned long ago to just ignore columns like this and not discuss, debate and argue against solid biblical principles.

[dp0622]

Yeah and that has hit a lot of people the best generation or so.

[Baldwin77]

When the Bible changes, I will.

[Mom MD]

NO! God has not changed His mind therefore those who follow Him cannot change theirs

[RevelationDavid]

Ephesians 6:13-17
New International Version

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.