Posted on 09/21/2012 3:17:26 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Theologian John Piper has weighed in on the "change is possible" debate, arguing that the possibility of changing one's sexual orientation should not be ruled out.
But the Reformed pastor also argued that sexual identity is complicated and cannot be simplified into three groups: heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual.
"There are hundreds of variations of impulses that make up our peculiar sexual identities. This means that 'change' is not a movement from one of three groups to another of three groups," Piper blogged on the Desiring God ministries website.
While the debate over whether gay persons can become straight has long been held, it gained the spotlight in May when Robert Spitzer, a retired professor of psychiatry, recanted a study he did a decade ago. In that study, he concluded that reparative therapy could change a patient's sexual orientation.
"I believe I owe the gay community an apology for my study making unproven claims of the efficacy of reparative therapy. I also apologize to any gay person who wasted time and energy undergoing some form of reparative therapy because they believed that I had proven that reparative therapy works with some 'highly motivated' individuals," Spitzer wrote in a letter to the editor of Journal of Sexual Behavior, which had published his previous study.
Though Spitzer has retracted his study, Piper, who serves as pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, noted that there are other psychologists who are sticking to their conclusions that change is possible.
"We should follow Stanton Jones and Mark Yarhouse in refusing to reject the possibility of change," said Piper. "Jones and Yarhouse do not recant their 2011 study in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy titled, 'A Longitudinal Study of Attempted Religiously Mediated Sexual Orientation Change.'"
In that study, they wrote that some people experience "meaningful shifts in sexual orientation" and that they don't believe "reports of change can be summarily dismissed."
"Much of the science surrounding sexual orientation in general and efforts to change sexual orientation in particular is yet inconclusive. Some may be able to change their sexual orientation to a degree, but many, perhaps the majority, cannot and will not. People may be harmed when practitioners, professional or religious, do not properly protect human welfare, but harm does not appear inevitable."
Piper, who argues that the Bible is "not unclear that same-sex attraction is disordered and that same-sex intercourse is sin," commended Jones and Yarhouse for their "wise and cautious balance."
"It is wise not only because with God all things are possible, but also because 'either-or' thinking is especially unsuitable when dealing with sexual orientation," Piper stated.
Given that sexuality cannot be boiled down simply to three groups, "change," he said, "is a totally unpredictable reconfiguration of dozens of impulses and desires."
"And these desires and impulses are interwoven with dozens of personal and relational and spiritual realities, all of which are moving and shifting as God and his word and his people come to bear on the totality of a person's life."
"From this perspective change is inevitable. We are all changing - in a hundred ways including how sexuality fits into our lives," he added.
"Whether sexual orientation can change or not, hearts can change and turn any sexual orientation into an occasion for the glory of Christ," said Piper. "Those with same-sex attraction glorify Christ through sexual abstinence and through the enrichment of significant Christ-exalting relationships in other ways."
Let me know if any legitimate organization gives the approval to NAMBA
“But the Reformed pastor also argued that sexual identity is complicated and cannot be simplified into three groups: heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual.”
Two of the three mentioned already hold NO interest for me. And as far as any “others” go, let me catch you near either of my dogs and I WILL shoot you.
Andrew Wommack cast out a homosexual demon, and the recipient was free.
It. Works.
“Those with same-sex attraction glorify Christ through sexual abstinence...” - Same as with heroin; alcohol; gambling; pornography; voting for Democrats....
There are better ways homosexuals can 'change.' They can simply reject religion or they can get a heart transplant.
After a while the flesh will tame down, after it becomes aware of who is master. Soon the person, who in the past was led by nose by their filthy flesh, with all of it's selfish and destructive ways, will begin to become aware of God's Spirit leading and living through them. They will begin to have a new love of living, and be able to love others as they they know that they should. This is true and lasting happiness, joy and freedom.
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Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
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Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
3:10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
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Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
6:13 Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.
6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
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