Sorry, But We Won’t Rewrite the Bible for Gays and Lesbians

The Stream ^ | June 27, 2016 | MICHAEL BROWN

[Gamecock]

In response to my open letter to Isaac Archuleta, who describes himself as a bisexual Christian, Richard S. posted a lengthy comment on my personal Facebook page, including this statement: “The logical conclusion to your theology (gays can change and if they don’t it must be because they don’t have faith or are deceived) is extremely damaging to the souls of gay people. That was the point of Isaac’s letter. No amount of nice words will erase the damage. Only honest reconsideration of your theology will bring healing. Please don’t discount/deny the faith of your gay brothers and sisters. They have much to contribute to the church.”

Of course, Richard has completely misstated what conservative Christians believe (we don’t say or believe that if gays don’t change “it must be because they don’t have faith or are deceived”), just as other parts of his comment (not quoted here) were also based on serious misunderstandings.

But that is secondary to the bigger issue, and Richard is one of many who are telling serious Bible believers that, “Only honest reconsideration of your theology will bring healing.”

He could not be more wrong.

First, what Scripture says on homosexual practice is not negotiable, and no amount of new books or videos or personal stories will change that.

As I explained in my book Can You Be Gay and Christian?, “no new textual, archeological, sociological, anthropological or philological discoveries have been made in the last fifty years that would cause us to read any of these biblical texts differently. Put another way, it is not that we have gained some new insights into what the biblical text means based on the study of the Hebrew and Greek texts. Instead, people’s interaction with the LGBT community has caused them to understand the biblical text differently.”

Simply stated, if not for the sexual revolution, no one would be reexamining what the Scriptures state about God’s intention for His creation. No one would be wondering if two men or two women could “marry” or if a husband could also be a wife. No one would be doubting that the Lord made men for women and women for men and that any deviation from that pattern was contrary to His design and intent.

As one New Testament scholar was candid enough to admit, it was clear to him that the Bible forbade homosexual practice, but when his own daughter came out as a lesbian, he changed his opinion on the subject.

That’s why I’ve often stated that there is not a single argument that can be brought from God’s Word to defend homosexual practice, but there are powerful emotional arguments that can be brought. In that context, I’m often reminded of Jesus’ words that, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37).

The father of a “gay Christian” activist changed churches when his home congregation rejected his son’s views on homosexuality. When asked about these words of Jesus, he commented that there were other churches he could go to, but he had only one son. I could only wince when I heard his words, so loving in one way but so destructive in another.

Second, if there was something to reconsider in our theology we would gladly do it. The truth be told, as impossible as the “gay Christian” arguments struck me, I went to the Lord about them, buying the books that defended this new way of reading Scripture, reading the stories (and listening to the stories) of professing gay Christians, allowing my heart to be torn and my mind to be challenged.

At the end of the day, as a biblical scholar, a lover of Jesus, and a lover of people, it was impossible for me to accept their arguments. The Word is just too clear on this, and without some kind of emotional or social or other pressure to reconsider what Scripture states, no one would deny this.

Third, those who argue that Christians agree to disagree on lots of things without denying each other’s faith fail to realize that they do not agree to disagree on behaviors that Scripture strongly condemns — unless they themselves are living in some kind of moral compromise.

We’re not dealing here with a question of whether speaking in tongues is for today or whether Christians are required to tithe or whether Jesus is coming before the tribulation. We’re dealing with redefining the very meaning of marriage and claiming that a behavior that is plainly condemned in the Old and New Testaments — I’m talking about same-sex cohabitation — is now blessed by God.

And while God alone is the judge of every professing Christian, be that person gay or straight, we cannot embrace as fellow brothers and sisters those who are affirming, practicing, and even celebrating homosexuality.

We will put our arms around everyone who struggles with same-sex attraction, loving them and embracing them and encouraging them in their walk with the Lord, whether their walk entails transformation from homosexual to heterosexual or whether it entails celibacy. But we will not and cannot affirm and bless what the Lord Himself opposes. To do so is to do a disservice to those in the LGBT community.

Fourth, God’s message of grace and truth brings healing and wholeness and deliverance and freedom, as millions of people from every walk of life can attest, including large numbers of people who once identified as LGBT.

I’m quite aware that there are genuine homo-haters in the Church (I plan to address this yet again in the coming days; God is their judge as well), and I’m quite aware that Christians have often failed to demonstrate Christlike love and compassion to the LGBT community (to put it mildly).

But I’m also quite aware that when we speak the truth in love and people actually hear what we’re saying (not the interpretation they put on our words but the real message of our words), if that message is received it will bring life not death.

To all of you reading this article who say, “I’m gay, I’m Christian, I’m involved in a same-sex relationship, and we’re thriving in the Lord,” I invite you to call my radio show or to send me your story or, if you live in my city, to get together with me and some of your friends — not for the purpose of debate but for the purpose of honest, loving, heartfelt interaction.

And if you have time, would you watch my video, “Can You Be Gay and Christian?” and tell me what I don’t understand and where I don’t display genuine empathy?

And if you’d like to read my book by the same title and you genuinely can’t afford it, email me your story, include your address, and I’ll send you a copy for free. You will not find a hateful word in the book, but you will find someone who cares.

In the end, though, your issue is with the Lord not with me. I can assure you that He understands and He will provide everything you need if you truly entrust your life to Him.

[AppyPappy]

Too often, we pretend to know the mind of God. The mind of God defies human logic.

Romans 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

We(they) focus on the homosexuality but Christ died for the ungodly.

[AppyPappy]

We all keep our sin nature. What God did was give us a way to be justified despite our sins. We cannot justify ourselves.

Which is exactly the problem in this scenario. These people justify themselves in terms of sexuality.

[Sergio]

bkmk

[HarleyD]

Everyone seems to want to do what is right in their own eyes these days.

[NorthMountain]

the sodomites need to find a religion that doesn't condemn them

Like all sinners (yeah, you), the sodomites need to REPENT. They need to quit being sodomites.

Satan calls us by our sins.

Our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, calls us by our names.

[PeteePie]

Satan calls us by our sins.
Our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, calls us by our names.

I totally love that!

[NorthMountain]

I heard it somewhere. I really don’t remember where.

[Salvation]

Nor will Catholics rewrite the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Thanks for the thread.

[boatbums]

Well stated! If it were simply a matter of opinion then the gay community would have a point, but we didn’t make it up that God’s word solidly condemns homosexual acts as an abomination. If we want to be faithful to Him, we accept His word and live as HE commands us to live - and that also applies to sex outside of hetero marriage. We can love the sinner but hate the sin and help each other to live holy lives that honor our Lord and Savior. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[HarleyD]

An interesting and apt description in my morning devotional:

2Ki 17:33 So they feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

2Ki 17:34 To this day they do according to the former manner. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.

It almost sounds like a contradiction until you think of what is happening today.

[HLPhat]

Probably won't be rewriting natural history text books either.

Boo hoo for the Transhumanist/Postgenderist/LGBTwhateverists.

 

http://www.google.com/search?q=Sex+Evolution+and+Behavior+Daly+Wilson

Natural Selection created Sex, the genetic exchange between Male and Female, because Sex increases the fitness of species; and what Transhumanist/Postgenderist/LGBTWhateverist activists have selected isn't Sex - but the worship of themselves and their perversion of nature.   

"And the Truth shall make you free"

[mrobisr]

Can you imagine the pain dad will feel in Hell knowing that he knew the “Truth” and took the cowardice approach and didn’t attempt to save his doomed son or himself from
Hell. Forever and ever they will suffer just because dad and others didn’t have the guts to tell the truth!

Revelation 21:8
8 But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”