My prayer is that when discussing this specific topic, both sides of the conversation would remember that it is not about winning arguments but rather it is about bringing others to Christ." I believe that the Gospel often times gets lost in the heat of sharp disagreements amongst fellow Christians, specifically in conversations about the LGBT community. While it is easy to blame the Church as a whole, I must own up to my contribution to the problem. I too have, at times, forgotten the basis of our faith—that the heart of any discussion in the Church should be focused on Jesus. A year ago I was someone who held to a non-affirming theology of marriage. After much study and prayer, I am now someone who fully embraces and supports monogamous, Christ-centered relationships between straight or gay people. Just so we are all on the same page, when I use the term “non-affirming,” I am referring to the theology that marriage is solely between one man and one woman. When I use the term “affirming,” I am referring to the theology that affirms LGBT people wishing to pursue a monogamous, committed, and Christ-centered marriage.
With this in mind, I want to avoid mischaracterizing the motivations behind those who hold to a non-affirming theology. Like I said, I used to think that the Bible was clear; marriage should be reserved for one man and one woman. I know that the majority of people who have a non-affirming theology do so with good intentions. They do not seek to cause any harm for anyone, nor are they bigoted or hateful. They simply believe what they presume the Bible says to be true. But here’s the deal. An important and practical part of shifting this conversation to being truly united for the Gospel is to think about the reasons for holding one’s beliefs about this topic. If we are going to place high authority on the Bible, it is imperative that we give it a careful examination. We have to understand that the Bible was written in a certain time, place, and culture--something we cannot disregard when reading it. The more I studied the verses that have been used to condemn homosexuality, the Greek and Hebrew roots of the verses, as well as the culture and context of when the Bible was written, and over a course of a year wrestling with this topic, God slowly revealed to me the fallacies and flaws in a non-affirming theology. I hope you are willing to give this issue a fair assessment, keeping in mind the importance of context.
At the end of the day, even if there is still dispute after further study and genuine friendship with someone in the LGBT community, I hope we can agree on two things: first, this issue may not be as black and white as it often seems, and second, our job is to love. Even if you think that acting upon “same sex attraction” is wrong, I encourage you to love like Jesus did; impartially, seeing all God’s children as being made in His image. Here’s the deal (again). I love Jesus. I really do. My identity is in Him. I also happen to be gay. I recognize this makes some people uncomfortable, and I pray that any barriers that exist would be torn apart. I am more than willing to engage in dialogue about this, as well as get to hear and try to understand your perspective on the topic. Below you will find a link of resources that I found particularly helpful when delving more into what the Bible says. If non-affirming Christians aren't grieved about the migration of even just one LGBT individual from the Church, and if non-affirming Christians aren't troubled by the pain that even just one LGBT individual faces as a result of harmful teaching, then they don't know God's heart. This cannot be something we put on the back burner; this is a topic that affects so many people. If non-affirming Christians aren’t grieved about the migration of even just one LGBT individual from the Church, and if non-affirming Christians aren’t troubled by the pain that even just one LGBT individual faces as a result of harmful teaching, then they don’t know God’s heart. Our approach to this topic must change, and this shift must occur too. I earnestly want to see the Church come to fully embrace LGBT individuals. But I recognize that is not going to happen overnight, and so I want to encourage people with a non-affirming theology to shift the conversation from being against gay people to being for Christ and the Gospel.
Resources: -God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines -Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee -Blue Letter Bible Website (provides Greek and Hebrew translations for any verse!) -Walking the Bridgeless Canyon by Cathy Baldock -Changing Our Mind by David Gushee - Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships James V. Brownson
8 Comments
Caleb
10/5/2016 12:56:53 pm
Marcus,
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Marcus
10/5/2016 02:14:12 pm
Caleb, I got your message. I will respond within a week-- I am super busy but I will get back as soon as possible.
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Marcus Miller
10/9/2016 03:22:29 pm
Looks like it cut off my response. Here is part 2.
Marcus Miller
10/9/2016 03:18:35 pm
Hi Caleb,
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Marcus Miller
10/9/2016 03:25:19 pm
Not just that, it has excluded many of them and pushed many of them away. The only prayer I can say is one that Jesus said while he was beaten and mocked on the cross by the Romans. “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.” I earnestly pray that the Church would come to realize the misuse of the Bible on this issue, and repent.
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Caleb
10/11/2016 02:21:41 pm
Marcus,
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Gary
11/1/2016 12:13:00 pm
Marcus: I attend JEFC and I remember when you were baptized. You were very funny when you said, "Well sometimes it's about me." Very honest answer. I give you credit for being honest in your feelings when you wrote this post. I am sure this has been quite a struggle for you to come out, but probably a relief too. You mention affirming viewpoints and even mention several references in you sources, some of which I have read. I wonder if you have read Wesley Hills' book Washed and Waiting?" "The plausibility problem" by Ed Shaw? Or "People to be Loved" by Preston Sprinkle? All very good books. There are several people who identify as gay and Christian but choose to not embrace homosexual behavior in their lives, either monogamous or not. Have you looked at all sides? Anyway, here are some links to posts you might enjoy reading: www.spiritualfriendship.org, www.mattmoore.org, www.livingout.org. May God Bless you.
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Gary
1/15/2017 07:43:24 pm
Hi Gary,
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Marcus MillerHello! Thank you for checking out my blog. I graduated from Johnston High School in Iowa back in 2015, and am attending the University of Iowa, where I am studying political science and ethics and public policy. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Archives
May 2018
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