I must be crazy. Why in the world would a pastor come out and
take a position on homosexuality in today’s day and age? It would be a lot easier for me to keep my
mouth shut and avoid offending someone, because I can guarantee you regardless
of which side I fall on someone will end up being offended. The recent news of long time N.B.A. player
Jason Collins coming out is the impetus to this blog entry. I’m a sports fan and I’ve always known it was
just a matter of time before some active player in a major professional sport
comes out. From my own perspective I
think the overall response has been encouraging, with the exception of a couple
Christian callers to sports radio this morning whose hearts were in the right
place but were having a hard time communicating the message.
So what’s my message? What does Pastor Pete have to say about all
of this? Are you ready? Here I go…….
I just don’t know. How’s that for
taking a stand? When I say I just don’t
know I’m referring to the whole “is homosexuality a sin” argument. I know some of you are immediately thinking
this guy is a pastor and he doesn’t even know?!? Doesn’t he read his bible? Of course I read my bible and I do so
faithfully, and I am aware of the 6 or so passages that refer to homosexuality being
a sin. And if that’s the stance you take
based on those passages I have absolutely no problem with that. Let’s face it; they do seem to be pretty
clear. I might also add that I believe the
entire bible to be God’s word and I’m not in the habit of picking and choosing
what I want to believe and leaving the rest behind. But can we all just be brutally honest for a
moment and acknowledge that sometimes understanding and interpreting the
scriptures can be a difficult thing. For
instance, during the Civil War both sides were claiming they had God and the
bible on their side. And who doesn’t
struggle sometimes with the brutality of how God had the Israelites wipe out
the Canaanites and others as they moved into the Promised Land? I could go on, but the point is it’s not
always as easy as it might seem to understand and interpret God’s word and how
it should be applied.
So what about those verses
that refer to homosexuality as a sin?
It’s my understanding that those who approve of homosexuality make both
cultural and interpretation arguments.
They would argue that these passages are primarily referring to sexual
abuse of men on boys (which was indeed a cultural concern in that day) and not
a monogamous relationship between two same sex adults. I’ve been introduced to these arguments but I
would like to read up a little more on them.
So far they seem to me to be a little weak. I will say though that I am open to cultural
arguments as to what constitutes sinful behavior in scripture, and before you
tell me I shouldn’t be, you better make sure all the women in your church are
not wearing gold, pearls, expensive clothes, or braids in their hair this Sunday
if you want to be consistent (1st Timothy 2:9). The question is does a cultural argument work
for the issue of homosexuality, and finding out is a journey I’m still on.
Here’s what I do know;
assuming it is a sin, it certainly isn’t an unforgivable one. Here is what I mean. I’m thinking of two of my Christian friends;
one would say he was gay and is now happily married to a woman, and the other
who would say he is gay and believes that’s okay so long as he’s applying the
Bible’s teachings on sexual immorality just like a heterosexual person would;
as in only sex within the bounds of marriage (or the gay equivalent) no
adultery, etc. I’m okay with and I love
both of them. I don’t condemn the former
for his past and I don’t condemn the latter for his present; and I believe
Jesus doesn’t either. I’m reminded of
the well-known story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8). After all those who were about to stone her
left having realized their own sins Jesus asks her, “Woman, where are
they? Has no one condemned you?” And she responds “No one sir.” And Jesus says “Then neither do I condemn
you, go now and leave your life of sin.”
When I think about my two friends, along with Jesus I don’t condemn
them. It’s also my desire that they
would heed the words of Jesus and not live a life of sin. It’s my opinion that they are both doing
their best to follow those words of Jesus.
Should my second friend at some point get involved with another man and
pursue the equivalent of a monogamous married relationship with him I still
won’t condemn him. It’s just not my
place. I’m thankful to say I’ve never
had to deal with the confusion he did, growing up in Christian evangelical
circles and having homosexual desires. Like
many in his position he has suffered a good deal of pain and rejection from the
Christian community, and I just don’t see how that is Christ-like. He’s a good
God fearing Christian man and I’ll let him continue to grapple with God and the
Holy Spirit over his orientation.
