Gay man's take on Richard Land and SBC

[Stephen Fox]

Thornton and Sandy, frequent contributors to this board have joined the chorus of sexual politics as a wedge issue as the defining issue when comparing CBF to SBC as of late.

Here is an interesting pilgrimage from a gay man whose pilgrimage from the SBC prompted him to devote his first chapter to Nashville and Richard Land of the SBC ERLC.

http://www.religiondispatches.org/books ... n_odyssey/

[Haruo]

Thanks, Stephen. I passed it on to Evergreen, since we're going to be having a "Sacred Conversation on Sexuality" later this year I think.

[Sandy]

I've read many of the exerpts, and comments, regarding this book, and intend to get it and read it through.

I could write a book on the subject of how the church treats gays and lesbians, and more specifically, how conservative Christians ought to treat them from a Biblical perspective. It is one more moral issue that also carries a highly volatile political tag with it, and as a result, it has caused people on both sides of the issue to ball up and defend turf and that prevents churches from ministering, and gays and lesbians from responding.

But the bottom line is that there must be a starting point. And the starting point is the same place with this issue that it is with all other human sinfulness. It begins at repentance, which leads to sanctification and justification. And like all other human sinfulness, it requires the same understanding, patience, prayer, counsel, and every other ministry tool to deal with it. The real difference in the church is over the question of whether or not homosexual behavior is sinful. The ultimate result of Christian ministry, which is a major Biblical theme, is redemption and restoration, with the goal being perfection in Jesus. People are never able to set aside their sin in the flesh, it is always a struggle, but the goal is to move away from it, not to endorse it or excuse it. Jay Chu has the same opportunity to receive, in Jesus, what every other believer can receive, sanctification, justification, but it must begin with recognition of sin, and desire for repentance.

[Stephen Fox]

Noble expression but it overlooks some of the significant reservations of the Baylor Community in particular in regard a key aspect of the SBC Takeover.

Cat seemed to have gotten Richard Land's tongue on that one, though to Land's credit, he is expressive in Chu's book.

Sandy, in a committed relationship is same sex expression okay in any circumstance? Or must all Baptists be celibate Roman Catholic priests in that situation.

[Neil Heath]

[Sandy]

[Sandy]

[Neil Heath]

I can understand how you could repent from the wrong choices you have made, and I applaud anyone who comes to that realization and responds to God's love and grace.

But I'm not yet clear as to how you repent for being the way you were made from birth. Could you add anything more?

[Stephen Fox]

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispa ... e_parody_/

[Sandy]

[Sandy]

[Haruo]

Does the Bible or does the Bible not teach clearly that eating shellfish, eating blood, eating pork, and wearing hybrid fabrics are sinful things to do?

Wasn't the Council of Jerusalem, when you come right down to it, about adjusting the definition of sinfulness to account for cultural differences?

[Sandy]

[Tim Bonney]

[TrudyU]

[Tim Bonney]

[TrudyU]

[Sandy]