The questions and tensions surrounding Christian perspectives on homosexuality loom larger every day. It is the constant subject of news headlines: Jennifer Knapp's music career; disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard's new church; violence against gays in Uganda; the appointing of Anglican bishops in the US and Canada; and constitutional challenges to same-sex marriage laws, just to name a few.Major denominations are being stressed and divided over the issue. Social norms, civil rights laws, and religious views are increasingly being disputed, advocated, and argued in legislatures, courtrooms, pulpits, and political campaigns. It's everywhere, and it's not going away any time soon.
As a pastor of a small church in Minnesota, I can tell you that questions about homosexuality are more prevalent and persistent than ever. It is no longer a private concern, but public. It is no longer something distant and theoretical; it's close-up, personal, and practical. It's not an individual issue; it's a community concern.
In the last year it has become common for people new to our church to ask about policies and positions on the subject. They frequently raise questions at our welcome classes. They want to know where we stand, what we think, and what we're doing.
Christians and the churches they are a part of will not be able to navigate their way through these stormy waters apart from God's gracious help. We must be humble, honest, loving, patient, faithful, and teachable. We will need to listen, think, and pray. Even when there prove to be unresolvable differences, we will need to live graciously and redemptively in the tension and conflict.
It's important to remember that this is more than a matter of theology and politics. Beneath all the rhetoric and rancor, this is an issue about people. People with needs, desires, fears, doubts, and questions. Learning to understand and love "the other"—those whose experiences, beliefs, and perspectives are vastly different from our own—is a good place to start.
Here are a few things I've been reading and watching to gain insight and perspective while seeking to have a have my personal, pastoral, and theological perspectives shaped by Christ. They've been very helpful in putting a human face on this controversial issue.
Experimental Theology BlogDr. Richard Beck, professor and experimental psychologist at Abilene Christian University, has posted a short series of helpful articles entitled Thoughts about Homosexuality.
Part 1 - Is Being Gay a Choice?
Part 2 - Is Being Gay Genetic or Learned?
Part 3 - Is Being Gay a Sexual Dysfunction?
Homosexuality: Three Christian Views
Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Communityby Andrew Marin (Intervarsity Press)
Andrew Marin and his wife live in Boystown, a predominantly GLBT neighborhood in Chicago. His organization, The Marin Foundation, is conducting the largest-ever research study on religion in the gay community.
From the back cover:
Why are so many people who are gay wary of people who are Christian? Do GLBT people need to change who they are? Do Christians need to change what they believe? Love Is an Orientation elevates the conversation from genetics to gospel and builds a bridge between these two communities—a bridge straight to the good news of Jesus Christ.
The Bible Tells Me SoIn this Sundance documentary, director Daniel Karslake tells the story of several Christian families who have had to confront the challenges presented when a loved one's sexual orientation is at variance with the religious beliefs and traditions the family has held.
Interviews include V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, and Chrissy Gephardt, the lesbian daughter of former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt. The interviews with the Reitan family of Eden Prairie, MN hit especially close to home.
The movie is decidedly pro-gay in its handling of the subject, which is an important perspective to hear. The best reason to watch the film, however, is the opportunity to hear people telling their own stories.
Jesus Freakby Sara Miles
This is not a book about homosexuality, it's a book about being a Christian. It's a book in which the author "tells what happened when she decided to follow the flesh-and-blood Jesus by doing something real."
I'm including this book in this particular post because Sara Miles is an openly gay person who is pouring herself heart-and-soul into Christian ministry. Theologically conservative Christians who read this book are likely to find themselves both inspired and disturbed.
Sara Miles is the founder and director of The Food Pantry, and serves as Director of Ministry at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco.
excellent post.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you from personal experience that I have seen the sacramental, unitive love between gay and lesbian people, as well as their strong spirituality.
We have to remember in many cases gay and lesbian Christians have had to face more persecution than most. They have chosen Christianity in spite of the cacophony of "Christian" voices telling them that one of the most important parts of their life is incompatible with another part of their life.
They have "struggled" with the issue their whole lives and have come through with an integral and inspiring faith.
They have often been kicked out of families, only to find a new family within the church.
I am an Episcopalian who worships in a congregation where 80% of the young adults are gay. I used to be on the fence about the "issue," however it was the befriending of gay and lesbian people, and seeing their powerful and profound ministry that helped me to see what the Spirit is saying to the church and to me about it.
Thanks for you comment, Matthew. I value your experiences and observations.
ReplyDeleteI want to be clear, however, that the point of my post was not to declare a position, but rather to encourage dialog, listening, and understanding. It's not that I don't have a position, I'm just tired of positions being more important than people.
Love and dialog are needed from all directions and perspectives. The issues are far more varied and nuanced than the oversimplified FOR or AGAINST approach most people try to force upon them. We need to wrestle with who we are, what the Scriptures are, what they say, what it means to follow Jesus, what it means to be transformed, and how to do this in community.
Among Jesus followers, we have wildly divergent views about the Bible, the intricacy of human physiology, the complexities of personal identity, and the meaning of personhood. Love and humility demand that we take each other seriously. This can't be done if we stop caring for each other and stop listening to each other.
Truth is usually found right in the center of tension. That's why it is so important for people who have formed opinions to keep themselves in check by staying in the conversation and continually testing their conclusions.
I don't know if you're familiar with the late Michael Spencer who gave us the Internet Monk blog and podcast. He was a great example of how to have a conviction and a conversation at the same time. The Christian community lost a charitable and constructive voice when he died earlier this year. Fortunately, friends are keeping his blog up and running, and his posts are still available to read.
I would encourage you to read this post: http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/a-response-to-nicki-acceptance-3-2
It's right on topic and probably says what I'm trying to say better than I can say it. :-)
Grace and Peace!
Yes, it was precisely this encouragement of dialogue, listening, and understanding that led me to proclaim that this was an excellent post, not because you necessarily fell on my "side" of the spectrum. Knowing something of your background and your church's historical view on the matter, it was a refreshing post.
ReplyDeleteWe both come at this from a certain perspective, and our perspectives surely differ greatly from one another. But I was encouraged that this was such a lucid and gracious post, even if ultimately your view differs from mine.
I offered my experience only as another voice in the discussion, not as any sort of positivistic evidence that ends the matter.
Matthew, my friend, thanks for living out exactly what I hope can happen more and more. I can't tell you how much our follow-up comment means to me.
ReplyDeleteAs you might imagine, I've received a number of messages from people who want to respond privately. There have been some beautiful invitations for further conversation. It gives me hope and gladdens my heart.
Blessings.
Matthew, I clicked over to your blog. Send me a message and tell me more about what you're up to. I see you know Thom Stark. I don't know him, but I do follow his blog.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I am in full agreement with Pastor Dave on this issue. I used to have an intolerant opinion and some very close people who have had to put up with the rhetoric and constant abuse from professed "believers" made me realize that I am missing the most fundamental aspect of Christianity and that is love for people. We have to be open to communicating with people and not issues so much.
ReplyDeleteJudging by 20th century history (or Reformation history in general), it's fairly safe to say that in our lifetime most Protestant denominations will give in to trends and become pro-gay and pro-abortion, just as they gave in on birth control and divorce.
ReplyDelete