A Compassionate Stance

I've been looking into the topic of being gay and being a Christian. Many people would say its impossible to be both. I personally have met people who I would consider a "gay Christian." But beyond that I have found a compelling book written by a self proclaimed gay Christian, called Torn. His name is Justin Lee. He was raised in a Christian home by two loving, non-abusive parents. He loved God and was a Christian from a young age. Yet as he entered puberty he discovered he had same sex attractions. He sought to fix this issue, even participating in what is called "ex-gay ministries," to no avail. The same sex attractions never left. He was called "God Boy" in school, which I find interesting because I was called "God Girl" in high school. My best friend told me about the nickname thinking I would be appalled, but I told her I took it as a compliment, because I am a Christian and love God. Anyways, in his book Torn, Lee talks about why he believes God would affirm same sex marriage. 

As I have thought about the topic of same sex marriage, I have thought that offering a homosexual man or woman celibacy as their only option after receiving salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ, seems a very incompassionate stance to take. I understand that some may choose celibacy, or feel compelled to lead a celibate life, in service to God once saved. And I think that celibacy is a wonderful choice. But I think it should be a CHOICE not something forced on someone. 

In Lee's book he points out that in the Bible Jesus often chose the compassionate option over the legalistic one. In one example Jesus healed a man's withered hand and he was told he by the Pharisees that he was breaking the law by working on the Sabbath. Here's Jesus' response: Mark 3:4 "Then Jesus asked them, 'Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?'" Jesus was taking the more compassionate stance, that healing was the more loving thing to do, rather than following the letter of the law. Jesus also said love is the fulfillment of the law. (Matthew 22:36-40) 

In another example Jesus and his disciples were walking through a grain field, and they picked some kernels to eat. The Pharisees again asked Jesus why he was breaking the law of the Sabbath. Jesus brought up the example of David: Luke 6:2-4 "Jesus answered them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.'" David was violating God's law, yet Jesus approves of this, arguing that sometimes violating the law is necessary in order to do the right thing. David was running for his life, from King Saul, and the only food he was able to get was the "bread of the Presence," which is forbidden by God's law to eat. Yet Jesus is saying this action was okay!

In another instance, after Jesus was healing on the Sabbath, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees: Luke 14:5-6 "Then he asked them, 'If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?' And they had nothing to say." In Justin Lee's book, Torn, He says "Over and over, Jesus provides examples of the spirit of the law superseding the letter of the law." And he mentions that these are the types of arguments Christians get into about homosexuality. As Lee further states, "... debating to what extent certain passages apply to us today and whether they condemn a particular behavior in a particular situation or not." But the Bible is clear, we are no longer under the law. 

Galations 3:23-25 says: 

23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Throughout Jesus ministry he emphasized the spirit of the law over the letter of the law. Even though Jesus also said in Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." We to this day follow laws in the Old Testament, like the Ten Commandments. Yet there are other laws, like not eating shell fish or not wearing clothes of mixed fibers, that we no longer follow. 

So where do we draw the line? How do we decide to follow a certain law or not follow it? One answer could be "compassion." To look at the situation through the lens of compassion may dictate whether we follow the letter of the law exactly, or that we follow Jesus' lead of showing compassion in that situation. The Bible may say in the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13) that a man shall not lay with another man as with a woman, and you may think... "That's so clear!" And in the New Testament (Romans 1:26-27) Paul says men and women exchanged the natural for the unnatural and men slept with men, and women slept with women. Again, you may say... "That's so clear!" However we could look at verses, like 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, where Paul basically says it is not good to burn with passion, and being single isn't for everyone. And then we can look at our fellow men and women of the LGBTQ community, who have same sex attractions, and realize that forcing celibacy on them (if they were to come to the Lord and be saved, and proclaim to be Christians) would be unkind and perhaps even too much to ask of many of them. Perhaps some would choose celibacy after salvation. Which is great! But I would venture to guess that not 100% would feel that calling (which I believe celibacy is a calling, and not a commandment).

We also could dive deeper into some of these "clobber verses" and seek out the context and cultural background of them. And perhaps learn some new information about those verses. Read my previous blog "Let Love Lead" to hear more on that. 

This is just another way of looking at the topic of being gay and being a Christian (at the same time). If you are wondering if this is even possible, or thought 100% that it is not, then perhaps this blog will shed a new light on the topic and help you look at it through the lens of compassion. I highly recommend reading Torn by Justin Lee to learn more about his testimony as a gay Christian. It may just open your eyes to a new way of looking at things. 

Also, in conclusion, Jesus said that LOVE is the fulfillment of the law. We are told to love God and love people. Are we showing love and compassion to the LGBTQ community? I think the church can do better. 

 

Let Love Lead

    In June 2015 I wrote this article The Day Love Won in which I concluded that homosexuality, and whether we accept it as okay or deny it as a sin, "isn't a marriage issue. It is a heart issue. It is a salvation issue." Because I wanted to answer the questions, "Is gay marriage something that would be blessed by God?" Its been 6 years since I wrote that blog, and I have some new insights.  

    Here is some background on me. I was raised in a strong protestant evangelical Christian home. In fact my Dad was a pastor of a non-denominational community church. My Mom was raised in a Christian home and had a large impact on me as a person with deep faith and reliance on Jesus and the Bible as her helper and her guide in life. I also drew close to God in my teen years, as my parents ended up divorcing, and continued to pursue my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I love God. I love Jesus. And I have invited the Holy Spirit to reside in my heart. I believe in the Bible with all my heart and soul.  

    Growing up I was taught certain things, and believed them because I was taught to understand the Scripture in a certain way. There are two verses in the New Testament that mention the word "homosexual," for example, and those verses informed me on how I viewed the LGBTQ community.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 

And 1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." 

    However, did you know that the word "homosexual" did not appear in any Bible until 1946 in English versions and until 1982 in German versions? This is according to this article: Has "Homosexual" Always Been in the Bible? According to this article, in older versions of the Bible the word "arsenokoitai" in these verses were translated as "boy molesters." Boy molesters! Not homosexuals! I think we can all agree that a boy molester deserves the worst punishment of Hell! But I disagree that homosexuals should be lumped together in one general sweeping statement, and be regarded as abominations and deserving of Hell! Simply because they are a homosexual do they deserve eternal damnation? Another article I read explains further the meaning of the words used in Corinthians and Timothy: 1corinthians-69-10-1timothy-19-10/ Boy molesters could also be interpreted as male prostitutes (malakoi) and the other word (arsenokoitai) are those that exploit them, sexual slave owners in other words. 

    I have met and befriended several gay men, lesbian women, and bi-sexuals. Some of them are not saved, some are agnostic, others have had a Salvation experience and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. One particular man I met (I firmly believe) is a Christian. I have grilled him, asked him questions, witnessed to him, sat down for heart to hearts and scoured the Scriptures together to seek the truth. He has an understanding of the Bible, and can explain Scriptures back to me in a Spirit filled manner. I am convinced that he is saved AND gay. I know I can't be the judge of that, only God knows if a person is going to Heaven or not. But from all I can tell, in my human-ness, he is a Christian. 

    I know there are plenty of homosexuals that are not saved as well. And there are behaviors within the gay community that are not godly by any means. But you could also say that about behaviors in the straight community! Its not "being gay" that is the sin. I truly believe these men and women are born that way, and have not chosen to be gay as a lifestyle choice. Several have even struggled with it to the point of trying to pray it out of themselves, and would rather be straight if they could! Its a struggle that no one in their right mind would willingly put on themself, to be living a life as a homosexual man or woman. Its not an easy road to travel. Yet, there are so many that are still living as a homosexual. It makes you ask yourself some hard questions. "Is being gay a choice or are you born that way?" and "Is it possible to be both gay and a Christian?" "Would God ever bless same sex marriage?" And these questions have been on my mind for a long time now. 

    I know there are verses in the Old Testament that say a man should not lay with a male as with a woman. There are arguments that say that the verse is actually saying a man should not lay with a BOY as with a woman. Again, referring to pederstry. However, even if it is referring to a man laying with a man, there could be another reason to believe this was a law given to the people of Israel for those people, in that time. That this law was meant to set them apart from other nations, a part of the "Holiness Code." And I believe it was also important to God to make sure they continued to populate as a nation, because any act that didn't allow for reproduction was forbidden. Also, this way the lines of man vs woman stayed very distinct. According to a Pastor of a church in Calgary Canada, called Commons Church, the old testament laws in Leviticus were most likely expressing a desire to preserve the active male role in sex, and not taking the passive role of a woman. These Levitical rules were about creating very clear lines and clear rules and not crossing boundaries. You can hear his take in this video: Has "Homosexual" always been in the Bible? He challenges us to use Jesus' ethic of love to guide us in our understanding of the Bible and how to interact with the world around us. It was also pointed out to me that this verse could be about how in that culture women were property, and a man laying with another man was showing disrespect by treating another man as property. (Which stays in the same lines as preserving the "male" vs "Female" roles.) They also can be seen as a condemnation on incestuous acts, or even a married man committing adultery. All possibilities. And something to ponder. In short these two verses, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 are not about a homosexual sex act specifically. 

    There is also the verses in Romans 1:26-27 that said this group of people "...abandoned them to their shameful desires" and that they "turned from their natural way..." as women slept with women and men slept with men. These were sexual acts done as part of worship to a god, an idolatrous religious practice. Its been said that the acts were part of a fertility cult worship. This is not addressing homosexuals. This would be more so condemning heterosexuals who were experimenting with homosexuality. And obviously any sexual act performed outside of marriage is condemned in the Bible. And Paul's language is condemning the acts in the context of idol worship.

    If these verses of the Bible have been mis-interpreted, or mis-represented, then we have done the LGBTQ community an injustice! I don't think we need to accept every behavior as "okay," but I do believe that same sex love between two adult men or two adult women should not be looked down on or rejected, but accepted. And I believe marriage should be legal for these men and women. 

    I know I have said that marriage is a Biblical institution and that the Bible only shows us as being between one man and one woman. However, at the same time, marriage is a complex relationship composed of many complimentary purposes. #1 procreation (Gen. 1 :22) #2 Companionship (Gen. 2:8) #3 The model of Christ's love (Eph. 5:22) All of these are important, but not all necessary to be existent to be a marriage. For example, procreation. Not every heterosexual couple can pro-create, yet their marriage is just as valid as the next. And does it not say it is better to marry than to burn with passion, in 1 Corinthians 7:9? Companionship is important to most men and women, who don't have the gift of celibacy. The apostle Paul would argue its better to be single than to marry, but even he acknowledged that for some people that is not possible, and marriage is a better option than to keep lusting in the flesh. Marriage is about self sacrificial love. Being truly committed to another person unconditionally. And these things can be had by the same-sex couple. If they want to commit to one person self sacrificially, why not allow it?

    I believe in abstinence and celibacy as perfectly viable options for any man or woman. It is not, however, meant to be a permanent status for all people. Some people should get married, and all men and women should be able to marry the person they love. No matter if it is a person of the same sex! Adam was brought Eve, because God knew she was his suitable helpmate. She was for Adam. Adam was for Eve. But that is an individual situation. Is it not possible that some men's perfect companion to be another man? If they have same sex attractions, it seems logical. And same for women. 

    Jesus was asked about divorce by the Pharisees, and in Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus states back to them, "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, ' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Jesus is not defining marriage here, but rather answering a question regarding divorce. Jesus never addresses same-sex acts or sexual orientation ever. Jesus in fact said divorce and remarriage was the same as adultery. (Matthew 5:32) Yet here we are as evangelical Christians, allowing the divorced and remarried to sit in our pews and worship next to us. Adulterers?! And of course we are... We are in the business of ministering to people who are sinners. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, after all. Right? (Romans 3:23) So even if you believe homosexuality is a sin, shouldn't we at the very least allow all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, who profess Jesus Christ and obedience to Him, to be or become full members of the church? People with same sex attraction are loved by God, just as anyone else is. John 3:16 tells us this, "God so loved the WORLD..." and "He gave his only begotten son so that WHOSOEVER believe in him shall not perish and have eternal life." This is not a gospel only for the straight person, this is for the LGBTQ community just as much.

    We are all created in God's image, Genesis 1:26 says as much, "Let us make man in our image..." Therefore we all deserve love and respect. Even if we do not approve of homosexual practices we should at the very least show sympathy and respect for homosexuals. I read a quote somewhere that says, "I will treat people as they are all welcome at the table and equal before the cross." Who are we to reject one group of people at the door of the sanctuary and accept another group, welcoming them through that same door, with sins that are blatantly taught against by Jesus himself?

    Now, I believe we should treat those within committed relationships as positive, regardless of sexual orientation. Celibacy or marriage should be acceptable states of the LGBTQ community. Wouldn't it be nice if we could welcome everyone and then pray together and figure out where God wants to take us? Instead of passing judgment. Let the Spirit lead. Let LOVE lead!

What is the requirement for salvation? Romans 10:9-3 sums it up: 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This goes for anyone. You will be saved if you do what this verse says. Romans 8:28 also tells us nothing can separate us from God's love! NOTHING! And Galatians 3:26 says, "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith..." And verse 28 says "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Faith in Christ is the great equalizer. Not one type of person is better than another type or group of people. If you believe in Christ, that is what matters most. 

What it boils down to is our relationship with God and each other. Each person has to evaluate how they are living their life. There is a problem with coming up with a clear cut moral code that we can 100% live up to 100% of the time. No one can do that. People come to Christ as they are, and remain the same person, while righteousness is doing its work to perfect us. However, none of us are perfect, and none of us will be perfected until we see Jesus face to face. (1 John 3:2) None of us are on the "right side." Not one of us can claim perfection morally or claim we know everything God knows. Why don't we sit next to one another in church and see where God takes us? 

As my brother told me there is an order to things. "Belong. Believe. Behave." We first need to welcome people in, and let them know they belong, before we expect them to believe. But right now we are turning them away before they even get to the door of the church! Don't turn people away from salvation! Behavior follows belief. And we should allow time and patience for a person's behaviors to align with Jesus. We don't make the time line. God does. For some of us it will take a life time! 

Again, let us lead with love instead of hate. Do not point your fingers in judgement against a group of people in fear of what may happen if you let them sit next to you in church. You may find everything will be alright. Aren't we in the practice of accepting sinners? And are we not focused on preaching the gospel message? Then lets do that! Let LOVE lead!