To say that I was angry doesn't fully express all of my emotions. I was sick to my stomach, frustrated (extremely frustrated), saddened, and (YES!) angry. It happened last week when my wife and I received a phone call that told us to turn to Larry King and watch an interview. Our kids were in the room so we didn't do it. I knew what the show was all about. We found out that another one of our "Christian" artists had announced that they were homosexual.
Unfortunately, this is starting to become all too common. In 2008 there was another famed artist who announced that he was a homosexual. In his pursuit of homosexuality he left of trail of a broken marriage, children without a father, and a Christian fan base scratching their collective heads. The question in all of this is how do we change the argument? It seems as though people with traditional Christian beliefs about sexuality are viewed with such disdain. We are seen as judgmental, arrogant, and even narrow minded. Trevin Wax wrote an excellent article for Baptist Press which talks about this problem. After reading the transcripts from Larry King's show - here are the suggestions he came up with:
1. "We need to shift emphasis from the truth that 'everyone is a sinner' to the necessity of repentance."
This is a very powerful argument. All of us seem to understand our sinfulness (to one degree or another) but how many of us understand the necessity of repentance. Without repentance we cannot be saved. It takes more than an intellectual acknowledgment of what Jesus has done on the cross. The Bible teaches us very clearly that we must turn from our life of sin to follow Jesus. Repentance = agreeing with God about my sin and turning from it. I not only confess my sin but I give it up!
2. "We must not allow ourselves to be defined by our sexual attractions."
Many of those who choose to follow the path of their attraction seem to think that they are being true to themselves. However, if we took this same approach within the confines of traditional sexual attraction there would be a huge uproar. What if I'm attracted to a woman other than my wife. If I don't run after her am I not being true to myself? Actually, when I choose to live in proper relationship to my wife I'm being true to her and to God. Sexual attraction and sexual behavior are two totally different things. Although I may not be able to understand being attracted to the same gender - acting upon that attraction takes me outside of God's design (one man - one woman).
3. "We must expose the arrogance and judgmentalism of those who would so flippantly dismiss the witness of Christians for 2,000 years."
I find it interesting that the traditionalist is always viewed as judgmental. However, how arrogant for those on the other side to reject the teachings of the church, the Bible, and the last 2,000 years of the Christian faith. There may be some who would dismiss the teachings of the Old Testament but how could we possibly ignore what the Bible says in Romans? In Chapter 1:18-32 (this is New Testament Folks!) we see that people who go down this path are doing that which is unnatural. Don't give me the argument that they are just being who God "created" them to be! God's Word teaches otherwise. It seems to me that they got to a place where they had "itching ears" and went out found a teacher who would make them feel comfortable in their sin.
4. "We need soft hearts toward Christians struggling with same-sex attraction."
This is a situation that the church is going to have to deal with. We need to find a way to communicate truth to those who struggle in this area. Although you may view it differently it is no different that people who struggle with porn, drugs, alcoholism, etc. It's a genuine temptation for some and we need to be able to love people toward deliverance. Can it happen? Yes - it can!
At the bottom of this blog entry I'm posting a website operated through the Southern Baptists that helps people overcome this particular perversion. My hope is that the church will not run away from this issue or turn our backs on those who need us. We must be the agent of change.
www.sbcthewayout.com
1 comment:
It's a tough one. It's an issue faced by many within the church- and it's hard to be taken seriously when people hear that you might consider homosexuality to be sinful.
A friend came to me, after his best friend - a follower of Jesus - turned away from him in his struggle with homosexual desires. It's not easy for anyone involved.
It's just as important to turn away from the unhelpful hatred that flows through some churches, as it is to present a clear stand-point. The first mission is spreading the Gospel. I work with a church in Melbourne, Australia, and it saddens me that my friend feels like he can't come to church any more- like he is unlovable.
It is sad when prominent Christian personalities advocate alternatives to God's Word.
Stay faithful- and importantly:
Love.
I hope your blogging gets happier :).
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