Winter
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/08/episcopalians.secession.ap/ind
ex.html
I have no desire to make the topic of homosexuality a 'pet' discussion on this blog, but it is simply an issue that has come to mind recently through reading. I would not want someone who reads this post to think that I am just another Christian with a 'fundamentalist agenda'. I am not a fundamentalist and this is only my second article on this topic since 2004 when this blog began. This article is as much about Biblical integrity as homosexuality.
According to the above link and article, in California an Episcopal diocese voted Saturday to split with the national denomination over disagreements about the role of homosexuals in the church. Clergy and lay members of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, California voted 173-22 at an annual convention to remove all references to the national church from the diocese's constitution. Bishop John-David Schofield of the Fresno-based diocese stated:
That the Episcopal Church "has isolated itself from the overwhelming majority of Christendom and more specifically from the Anglican Communion by denying Biblical truth and walking apart from the historic Faith and Order."
I would agree with his view, at least in that Biblical truth has been denied. The reasons I side with his view are not because I am homophobic. I have never struggled with homosexuality, but have struggled with heterosexual desire as most men have. I have not had bad experiences with homosexuals, and humanly speaking do not necessarily consider them the worst type of persons. I do not have difficulty in being friendly with homosexuals and in no way hold any animosity. In a democracy, I can grant in toleration and not philosophical acceptance, that adult persons have the right to engage in homosexual acts. I can also grant that persons that struggle with homosexuality can be part of the Kingdom of God if elected by God, trusting in Christ, and repenting of sins, including homosexuality. I need to repent of my sins, and everyone that enters the Kingdom of God should repent as a sign of conversion. We are saved by election (Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-12) and regeneration (John 20:22-23, Acts 2) in Christ through his atoning and resurrection work, and do not necessarily repent of every single sin in life, but a sign of regeneration and belief from a person should be general repentance of sin. I can grant that people can struggle with sin for many years, but those in Christ should understand that works for God should follow faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10, James 2). I personally have absolutely no desire to see anyone condemned, but I am intellectually obligated to share what I have found in my research over many years as a full-time student.
Although application of Biblical doctrines can vary from ancient times, the theological Scriptural teachings remain the same. Erickson makes it clear that Biblical doctrines may not necessarily be maintained precisely with the same form of expression as they were in Biblical times. Erickson (1994: 37). Although the expression may change, the essential teaching does not. Romans 1:26-27 discusses the issue of homosexuality. James D.G. Dunn states that Paul's attitude to homosexual practice is unambiguous. Dunn (1988: 74). For Paul this practice is a passion not worthy of respect and is unnatural. Dunn (1988: 74). Cranfield notes from the Biblical text an abandonment of natural intercourse with the opposite sex, for same sex intercourse. Cranfield writes that Paul is explaining that homosexual acts are contrary to nature and the creator's intention. Cranfield (1992: 35). It is perversion that is condemned. Cranfield (1992: 36). Mounce states that Paul views homosexual practice as shameful, unnatural, indecent, and a perversion. Mounce (1995: 82). Mounce traces it back to the Old Testament condemnation in Leviticus 18:22. Mounce (1995: 82-33). Mounce further writes that in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul notes that homosexual offenders will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom of God. Mounce (1995: 82-83). These offenders are 'soft ones' who allow themselves to be used as women. Mounce (1995: 83). Mounce makes the very reasonable deduction that there is no room for the allowance in the Christian Church of homosexual practice since it is clearly condemned in both Testaments. Mounce (1995: 82-83). There are clear Biblical teachings that homosexual practice is sin. Biblical Christianity requires a commitment to a contextual, grammatical, historical approach to Scripture. Secular philosopher, Simon Blackburn states that homosexuality has been the focus of discussions concerning the relation between law and morality and in contrast, morality and nature when it is accepted that homosexuality is not a moral issue. In this case issues relating to law, majority preference and prejudice are pondered. Blackburn (1996: 178).
Presiding Episcopal Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, reasons they are guided by biblical teachings on social justice and tolerance to accept homosexual practice.
Christian advocates for accepting gay relationships, including Jefferts Schori, say they are guided by biblical teachings on social justice and tolerance. But Schofield and other conservatives believe Scripture bars same-sex relationships.
The above quote strikes me as a half truth. Yes, in Matthew 22:37-46 the second commandment is to love others as one loves self, and this is repeated in Mark 12:28-37 see also Luke 10: 25-28. Christians are to love those that have differing perspectives, tolerating them when needed, and should support the need for social justice, but logically and reasonably, if the Bible teaches both condemnation and love, both must exist without contradiction! To love homosexuals by accepting them into communion, baptism, marriage and membership would violate Biblical commandments and therefore should not take place. To hate or mistreat homosexuals or to ban them from attending Christian churches in order to hear the gospel message would be wrong and unloving. To attempt to force Christian views and values on homosexuals in a way that they lose basic democratic rights would also be unloving and should not be practiced by those within the Christian Church.
A major mistake many secularists, religionists and liberal Christians make is to assume that the love of God and Christ cancels out God's justice and condemnation of sin. This is untrue. Scripture explains that those that remain outside of Christ, and are not regenerated, stay in their sin. By freely sinning they face a spiritual existence in Hades after death (Luke 16, Revelation 20), and everlasting punishment after resurrection in the lake of fire (Revelation 20). The loving thing for a Christian to do is set aside personal feelings, desires and 21st Century secular notions for religious justice and realize that although homosexuals have at times been persecuted over the years that by giving them 'social justice' in regard to full acceptance as homosexuals and members within Christian churches, will in no way, shape, or form, overturn God's view of justice which he has explained in his Scripture through prophets, apostles, scribes, and of course Christ. The issue of acting homosexuals and their acceptance or rejection for church membership must be approached Biblically, objectively and reasonably and not with mainly emotional and intellectual responses conditioned by 21st Century religious thought. Scripture needs to be applied for the 21st Century, but this does not change the essential meaning of God's word, or God's nature that remains the same now as it was when the Biblical text was inspired.
Theologically, since human beings are corrupt in sin (Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:23, 6:23) it should not be a surprise that what seems perfectly natural for some is considered unnatural and corruption by God. For many heterosexual men, sexual activity outside of marriage would seem natural and pleasurable, and yet it breaks a Biblical commandment (Exodus 20:14), for others immoral lives would be normal and yet they stand outside of God's Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:8). Fortunately, for those in Christ who are eventually resurrected, God provides a purified nature and sin is a thing of the past (1 Corinthians 15). The homosexual and all of us as sinners should not have sins accommodated for and need to be respectfully told the truth of God's holy approach to sin.
Christian churches need to reinforce the Biblical truths in regard to church membership and the taking of communion, baptism, and marriage. If this is not done and extreme (not necessarily moderate) liberals are allowed to gain membership and leadership positions, a church and/or denomination can be overrun by theological error. This can lead to legal disputes as well as churches leaving denominations. Personally, if need be, I would rather be in a house church with leadership and believers that are willing to take Scripture and primary Biblical doctrines seriously than to fellowship in the context of church meetings with those persons, however well-meaning and nice that are attempting to speak for God in the 21st Century by muting or presenting a reinterpretation of the Bible. Some Biblically based Christians may remain within a denomination that does not take the Bible seriously in order to provide a witness. This may be admirable in some cases, but my personal position is that I will not submit to unbiblical leadership within a Christian church, although with God's help I shall be loving and respectful to all those who have different views than I do. I also view it as a Christian witness to lovingly and respectfully point out Biblical error. I will submit to secular governments when needed that sanction homosexual relations as I live within Western democracy, but Christian denominations are to obey God's word or risk being Christian in name but not practice. I wish to be a member of a Christian church in practice.
The human nature needs to be regenerated and not accommodated in Christ.
For the Church to do otherwise, is to provide certain persons a false sense of security in regard to God's ultimate judgment of sin. I state this lovingly and with good intentions.
Russ:)
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) ‘Homosexuality', in Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, p. 177-178. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
DUNN, JAMES D.G. (1988) Romans, Dallas, Word Books
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.
