This is a question that I want to ask the Church… not the building, but the people. (This may sound silly but it is important to distinguish between the two!) We do not come to church on Sundays, rather, we gather as the church. Sorry, just one of my pet peeves that could lead to another blog...someday.
My question for the church is this: What do you think about homosexuality? This is not a joke, nor am I trying to be funny. Seriously, what do think about it? You can look to the Bible and see what it says concerning the issue: Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25; 19:1-26, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:24-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 (Please feel free to let me know of any other references you are aware of). But, I want to know what YOU think of the issue, especially concerning how you would respond to it or interact with the issue as the church? This is important because sooner or later you are going to have to deal with this issue.
Today, homosexuality is becoming more and more relevant. To younger generations, it has become a trend. States have been forced to face the issue of whether or not to legalize same sex marriage. This may ruffle some feathers, but some claiming to be Christians have declared to have same sex behavior. Whether you like it or not, homosexuality is relevant.
The reason I ask and bring this issue up is because it created a good and healthy discussion in one of my recent classes. When talking about whether or not this was an issue in any of our churches presently, a classmate brought up a situation. At the church in which he currently serves, a couple has been living together for the past twenty or so years. They have children, and serve within the church (I do not know if one or both of them are on staff). My classmate has seen the fruits of the Spirit be evident in their lives, and vouches on their behalf. This, to say the least, quickly grabbed my attention. Can someone be a homosexual and produce fruits of the Holy Spirit as well as work in the church?
For the next hour or so, our discussion surrounded the topic. According to numerous Biblical texts (referenced above), the Bible clearly shows that same sex behavior is a sin. Personally, I do not question whether or not it is a sin, and mostly everyone in class acknowledged that as well (we did not take a vote, I am assuming this from the discussion). We also acknowledged that we would need to be careful, not judgmental and, most of all, examples of Christ’s love in their lives. Then, however, the conversation changed to how to handle the homosexual couple who wants to not only attend but become members (serving, teaching, and all of the privileges and responsibilities that come along with being a member) of the church. So church, what do you think?
Sorry, but I do not have simple answer. If you know anything about me, you will know that I analyze (or at least try to) every aspect of a situation. Only then will I make a decision as to which side I lean towards. Looking at this situation, there is nothing simple about it. Yes, it is a sin that seems simple. But, does that mean a homosexual cannot become a member? There are many heterosexuals who struggle with sin. What about the couple (heterosexual) where the husband has anger problems and struggles with keeping his temper (at home or in public)...does it matter? Or the couple (again heterosexual) who struggles with having self-control when they eat? Would you let them become members? From what I have seen, yes, the church has allowed families dealing with other issues to become part of the church family. So then, can a homosexual couple become members?
The answer “no” brings to mind an argument that places levels to sin which are not found in the Biblical text. The Bible does not teach anywhere that some sins are worse than others. The fact that Matthew 12 and Mark 3 say that there is an unforgivable/unpardonable sin, making it sound like there is a different level, is true in the text. I would explain that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit,” is not committing a specific sin, but simply rejecting the Spirit’s leading to Christ for salvation. So you cannot be a Christian and blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, or...you were never a Christian to begin with. So then, all sin is considered equal? To God...yes.
If (and I would argue this to be true) all Christians have sin, why should a homosexual not be allowed to become a member of a church? The question that would form in my mind (and in the minds of others): Is a practicing homosexual persisting in sin? Key words being “persisting in.” I would have to say then, that we purposely sin every day. I know that sounds wrong, but is it not true? Don’t we sin every day? And if we sin, don’t we do so on our own volition? If we do not purposely sin, than how could God condemn us? We could say that sin was passed down from Adam and Eve, and therefore we have no choice. Not saying that is true, however if we could, in theory, practice a perfect faith through sanctification, would not that human powered redeeming quality pass down through generations in the same way that sin was passed down through Adam and Eve? Therefore we would never need Jesus for a savior if we could do it on our own. So then, how could any of us be members or pastor a church, if we purposely sin every day?
My answer, as Paul says in his letters to Timothy and the church in Corinth, is to “Run the race…fight the good fight.” The race and the fight symbolize a life pursuing faith in God. Both the finish line and the end of the match end in death. In a race or a match no one ever competes perfectly. They may come close, but never perfectly. The point is that you are continuing to run and fight...not quitting. If you look, you will find that the Bible is full of men and women purposely sinning...specifically Abraham. Through this one man, God chooses to bring His plan of redemption to entire earth (Genesis 12). Next to God Himself (i.e. Jesus), Abraham is one of the most significant men we find in the text. Along with being important, we find Abraham purposefully not following God. In chapter twelve we see Abraham show belief in God (verses 1-9) only to show unbelief (verses 10-20) by denying Sarah as his wife for fear of death. In chapter sixteen, right after the covenant with God in chapter fifteen, Abraham has an illegitimate son with Sarah’s servant (with Sarai’s permission) Hagar. And lastly in chapter twenty, Abraham and Sarah lie again (similar to chapter twelve) after being promised a son (i.e. Isaac). So despite all of Abraham’s lack of faith, disbelief, or whatever you want to call it, God uses Abraham to bring blessing to all the earth. Interesting to think that God still chose to use someone, who in today’s view, I believe the church would deem an inadequate follower. You may also want to look into Samson, Ruth, David, Solomon, and Paul to name a few. Therefore, running the race...fighting the good fight, is never pretty.
Lastly, Abraham (again) shows us how we, the church, are to love, specifically, homosexuals. In Genesis eighteen (verses 16-33), we see God bringing Abraham to Sodom Gomorrah to see what he would do. Here we may ask, “What is YHWH doing?” Is not YHWH right to judge the city? We know he is going to destroy it anyway later on. The Point - YHWH is disciplining Abraham in His ways. Also we see something else: Abraham is willing to lay down his life for people who are undeserving (specifically, homosexuals). This is humbling to hear, isn’t it?
I am sorry for my rambling and the length, but as I said, there is no simple answer. This is a hard topic, but it is one we have to face. So I will leave you with this: Jesus, in answering what is the greatest commandment says, “...‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’...‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) So again, with your neighbor in mind, what do you think about homosexuality?
For further reading concerning this discussion:
Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community
By Andrew Marin
Most thought-provoking line: "God still chose to use someone, who in today's view, I believe the church would deem an inadequate follower."
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