Hey all. Through Phae_girl, I came across this thinger called the Heartland Proclamation. It’s essentially a statement by a bunch of pastors in the middle of the country affirming their support of LGBT rights in religious and secular contexts. Now I’m going to tell you where they’re wrong.
Here’s the deal. I really don’t have a problem with LGBTQ folk on a personal level. (I’m using the ‘Q’ as kind of a catchall for ‘everyone else’ because I don’t want to be stuck with either ‘FABGLITTER’ or ‘QUILTBAG’ and LGBTQ is just quicker. If this makes you mad, get off my blog.) This should be rather obvious given my associations through Transmissions. But at the same time, how a Christian ought respond with regard to LGBTQ people and causes is something I wrestle with often. Also I’d like to point out, their website looks absolutely awful. The text itself is barely legible, which is kind of the whole point. But anyways, on with the show:
As Christian clergy we proclaim the Good News concerning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons and publicly apologize where we have been silent.
I’m with them so far. The only Christian debate has been those violently opposed to LGBTQ-related thingers.
As disciples of Jesus, who assures us that the truth sets us free, we recognize that the debate is over. The verdict is in. Homosexuality is not a sickness, not a choice, and not a sin. We find no rational biblical or theological basis to condemn or deny the rights of any person based on sexual orientation.
The last sentence I’ll buy. There is “no rational biblical or theological basis to condemn or deny the rights of any person”. However, while I’ll agree it isn’t a sickness, I will not agree that there is no choice involved nor will I agree it is not a sin. But here’s the issue, if we define sin not as a specific action but a state of being (which I do), then homosexuality is included in a list of things indicative of being in a state of sin (Romans 1:26-32. Note that homosexuality is just one among many things in that list, and many of those things in the list are tacitly approved of by Christians. Ouch.) Also, given the lack of Biblical arguments on either side of this issue, the debate is far from over.
Silence by many has allowed political and religious rhetoric to monopolize public perception, creating the impression that there is only one Christian perspective on this issue. Yet we recognize and celebrate that we are far from alone, as Christians, in affirming that LGBT persons are distinctive, holy, and precious gifts to all who struggle to become the family of God.
Yes and yes. I just don’t affirm this quite the same why they do.
In repentance and obedience to the Holy Spirit, we stand in solidarity as those who are committed to work and pray for full acceptance and inclusion of LGBT persons in our churches and in our world. We lament that LGBT persons are condemned and excluded by individuals and institutions, political and religious, who claim to be speaking the truth of Christian teaching. This leads directly and indirectly to intolerance, discrimination, suffering, and even death.
I agree that the Church should accept LGBTQ folk. However, acceptance of them does not mean acceptance of their actions. The church has an easy time accepting liars, adulterers, divorcees, and other things that, and even though society calls these things OK, Scripture is quite clear that it’s not. Jesus has more to say about divorce than homosexuality, yet Christians have done a fantastic job ignoring those things. It’s the “I do what I want” mentality that undermines this book that we claim to put so much authority into. And yes, I’m guilty of it too. Part of being human, and thankfully God gets that, I just try to be as true to God’s intent as I can, and that is altogether difficult.
The Holy Spirit compels us:
- to affirm that the essence of Christian life is not focused on sexual orientation, but how one lives by grace in relationship with God, with compassion toward humanity;
- to embrace the full inclusion of our LGBT brothers and sisters in all areas of church life, including leadership;
- to declare that the violence must stop. Christ’s love moves us to work for the healing of wounded souls who are victims of abuse often propagated in the name of Christ;
- to celebrate the prophetic witness of all people who have refused to let the voice of intolerance and violence speak for Christianity, especially LGBT persons, who have met hatred with love;
Therefore we call for an end to all religious and civil discrimination against any person based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. All laws must include and protect the freedoms, rights, and equal legal standing of all persons, in and outside the church.
Again, I’m more or less with them here. While I’m simply not sold on their arguments on the religious side, and, as I’ve said above, the leadership question is a lot bigger than just LGBTQ folk, the civil side of things I’m totally on board with. My worry is that they are making something altogether simpler than it should be, and ignoring some pretty glaring New Testament statements that ought to challenge all Christians, in favor of appealing to LGBTQ folk.
As a closing comment, Christians need to approach the LGBTQ issue with humility and love, knowing that we won’t know all the answers no matter how hard we try. We simply have to be as true to God’s Word as we can, while at the same time being open to others whose interpretation may disagree with ours, because most of the time we’re both right, just in different ways. To quote Philippians 2:1-13 (ESV):
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of youlook not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.