Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Oh Hogwash
Bruce McLaren wrote about the "homosexual issue" at the CT blog yesterday.
More importantly, what difference does it make what all those scholars say? Scripture is wholly unambiguous on this topic. The problem does not lie in some misunderstanding of scripture or some need for new doctrine. The problem is in a proper understanding of current doctrine. As I see it, the problems are twofold.
The first lies is singling out homosexuality as some sort of "special" category of sin. It's not, it's just sin. Once that is established, then homosexuals are welcome in our midst as are any other sinner.
The second problem lies in the church's increasing reticence to deal with other types of sin in its midst. There is much sin we look the other way about in the church today. Under those circumstances it is only natural that practitioners of that one specific sin would want "equal" treatment.
What this really says is that I don't think there is middle ground on this issue. The church will either liberalize further or it will turn back the clock on some of its current liberalities. I am praying for the later. If the former, the church will stand for little anymore.
UPDATE: Evangelical Outpost takes a far more detailed look at McLaren's post.
Related Tags: homosexuality, church, Christianity, sin, standards
Perhaps we need a five-year moratorium on making pronouncements. In the meantime, we'll practice prayerful Christian dialogue, listening respectfully, disagreeing agreeably. When decisions need to be made, they'll be admittedly provisional. We'll keep our ears attuned to scholars in biblical studies, theology, ethics, psychology, genetics, sociology, and related fields. Then in five years, if we have clarity, we'll speak; if not, we'll set another five years for ongoing reflection. After all, many important issues in church history took centuries to figure out. Maybe this moratorium would help us resist the "winds of doctrine" blowing furiously from the left and right, so we can patiently wait for the wind of the Spirit to set our course.This is, frankly, niave. I belong to a denomination that has declared such moratoriums and all they accomplish is giving the various factions opportunities to re-organize and come back at the end of the moratorium invigorated and more agressive. They serve to intensify the debate, not calm it.
Later that week I got together with the new couple to hear their story. "It's kind of weird how we met," they explained. "You see, we met last year through our fathers who became . . . partners. When we get married, we want to be sure they will be welcome at our wedding. That's why we asked you that question on Sunday."
Welcome to our world. Being "right" isn't enough. We also need to be wise. And loving. And patient. Perhaps nothing short of that should "seem good to the Holy Spirit and us."
More importantly, what difference does it make what all those scholars say? Scripture is wholly unambiguous on this topic. The problem does not lie in some misunderstanding of scripture or some need for new doctrine. The problem is in a proper understanding of current doctrine. As I see it, the problems are twofold.
The first lies is singling out homosexuality as some sort of "special" category of sin. It's not, it's just sin. Once that is established, then homosexuals are welcome in our midst as are any other sinner.
The second problem lies in the church's increasing reticence to deal with other types of sin in its midst. There is much sin we look the other way about in the church today. Under those circumstances it is only natural that practitioners of that one specific sin would want "equal" treatment.
What this really says is that I don't think there is middle ground on this issue. The church will either liberalize further or it will turn back the clock on some of its current liberalities. I am praying for the later. If the former, the church will stand for little anymore.
UPDATE: Evangelical Outpost takes a far more detailed look at McLaren's post.
Related Tags: homosexuality, church, Christianity, sin, standards
