Allowing the student to rejoin the worship team, sexually celibate outside a civil union, is the right thing to do as that is the Scriptural requirement for all people. Many evangelicals fear that allowing people with a same-sex attraction to participate in church activities automatically presumes they condone a pro-gay theology. That fear must be deconstructed.
As explained in the original email, the student is currently following a traditional interpretation of Scripture in regards to sexual behavior. Although the student believes gay civil unions are accepted by God, that neither speaks for the belief of the worship team nor does it disqualify the student's current celibacy--or the consented agreement that if the student becomes sexual active, they cannot be involved in the group anymore.
If the student does enter into a sexually active civil union, that does not make them bad/wrong and the leader good/right; the traditional end-result. We must understand that the student would be acting within the boundaries of his belief system, just as the leader in theirs. In order to build a bridge, at some point all of us must work within the metric the other "side" gives us--while still holding true to what we believe. That includes progressive working within conservative understandings (as the student is currently doing), and equally, conservative working within progressive understandings (including the student continuing in the group). The key to this continuance is the broader group's involvement in recognizing their traditional Scriptural beliefs about gay sexual behavior--regardless of the political and Scriptural challenges that always arise out of legalized gay civil unions.
Even with a continued participation, such a scenario doesn't mean the leader is affirming a pro-gay theology. It rather gives feet and hands to Paul's words in 1 Cor. 9:19-23. Though in this case the student is already a professing believer, which is why this matter with sexually active gay Christians is always so difficult for many evangelicals.
It has however become my habit of always erring on the side of giving an abundance of grace and unconditional love, even when the other person isn't going down the "ideal" path that lines up with what I believe. I am a firm proponent of what it means to live in that tension of disagreement. From my experience, trying to easily and individually handle these situations does more harm than good to the broader group. I have found that organized, peaceful discussions within a framework of pre-outlined boundaries lead the group to less polarization and more engagement. This type of group involvement is not a 'larger group vs. gay student' situation. It is rather a transparent way to work through these tensions together. God doesn't work only when we know the outcome, and far be it for us to find any way out of the things that challenge the way we walk out our faith. As Dave Gibbons says, the biblical understanding of our neighbor is actually the person most unlike us.
But at the end of the day if the leader decides that the student has to leave the group, that doesn't make the leader a "non-bridge builder." The leader would just be holding true to the original agreement. I am not asking people to do things that they are not Scripturally comfortable with. I'm rather trying to face the traditional reactionary understandings and move them in a more productive and peaceful direction. Doing so gives room on both sides for each to believe as they may (in opposition to one side only being content when the other believes exactly as they do), while also being able to understand those differences and yet still have significant things happen for the Kingdom.
Even with a continued participation, such a scenario doesn't mean the leader is affirming a pro-gay theology. It rather gives feet and hands to Paul's words in 1 Cor. 9:19-23. Though in this case the student is already a professing believer, which is why this matter with sexually active gay Christians is always so difficult for many evangelicals.
It has however become my habit of always erring on the side of giving an abundance of grace and unconditional love, even when the other person isn't going down the "ideal" path that lines up with what I believe. I am a firm proponent of what it means to live in that tension of disagreement. From my experience, trying to easily and individually handle these situations does more harm than good to the broader group. I have found that organized, peaceful discussions within a framework of pre-outlined boundaries lead the group to less polarization and more engagement. This type of group involvement is not a 'larger group vs. gay student' situation. It is rather a transparent way to work through these tensions together. God doesn't work only when we know the outcome, and far be it for us to find any way out of the things that challenge the way we walk out our faith. As Dave Gibbons says, the biblical understanding of our neighbor is actually the person most unlike us.
But at the end of the day if the leader decides that the student has to leave the group, that doesn't make the leader a "non-bridge builder." The leader would just be holding true to the original agreement. I am not asking people to do things that they are not Scripturally comfortable with. I'm rather trying to face the traditional reactionary understandings and move them in a more productive and peaceful direction. Doing so gives room on both sides for each to believe as they may (in opposition to one side only being content when the other believes exactly as they do), while also being able to understand those differences and yet still have significant things happen for the Kingdom.
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@Mike M
"the biblical prototype is polygamy" huh?
Sexual ethics in scripture are not based solely upon prohibitions but upon the creation narrative. God creates man and woman; they are to fill a wondrous creation with offspring; a man and woman are to leave their families and become one unit. It is one man with one woman in a relationship that goes far beyond just sex (Paul notes in 1 Cor. that men should not engage in sex with the temple prostitutes in Corinth because sex is more than just intercourse; it is something sacred that affects people spiritually whether they want it to or not; i.e. it is not like animal sex).
All the prohibitions in scripture flow from this narrative. On the other hand, the Bible contains polygamy but does not promote it. In fact, the first person to do so is a descendant of Cain. I can't see that as scriptural promotion. Some might point to David's polygamy. However, I don't read anywhere God blessing such actions. In fact, David's sexual appetite gets him in a lot of trouble. Not only with Bathsheba and Uriah but also in the fact that his family life is terrible (brother rapes a sister) and his sons end up fighting over who will inherit the throne.
Mike you would do well to read some of Charles Kraft's work.
Scott,
I recognize and resepect your desire to be in alliance with Scripture. That being said, do YOU permit women to speak in church?
Thank you Scott M "A Letter" post # 4 for sharing this-
http://www.cor.org/worship-sermons/sermons/show/sermons/When-Dealing-with-Sinners-Anti-Homosexual-Judgemental/
You see, I was out of town for a week and am just now catching up with the Jesus Creed blog. I read all the posts to Scot's original April 1 "A Letter" blog and have read all the posts to the "Andrew Marin Responds" blog. The posts made me feel uneasy, sad, alienated. I was responding with my usual defense (this is said to myself and sometimes here), "I'm a follower of Jesus, but not a Christian." And then I witnessed one of the most beautiful sermons by a Rev. Adam Hamilton in KC. I wish everyone had watched this sermon before responding. Thanks again Scott M
Doug
Whatever your position is on gay marriage, we should at least agree that it's not easy being gay. Verbal harassment, taunting, bullying and even physical violence are intense realities for many gays and lesbians, resulting in disproportionately high rates of depression and suicide. As an evangelical Christian, I believe my religious tradition needs to repent for the way we have often demonized the GLBT community.
I have personally witnessed and read far too many stories of those who have rejected Christianity primarily because of the derision and animosity emanating from those who purport to follow Christ. Until homophobia is clearly and consistently rejected, it will undermine the case for traditional marriage.
There are many rather complicated exchanges passing through these comments. Some people say one thing and other respond to the other. Listening (maybe reading in this case) is an important skill to learn when understanding. If life lived in a certain fashion (gay, straight or otherwise) is not "best", how is that evidenced?
I echo the words in comment #25 Darren simply because it communicates something other than dogma, theology and church policies. Whether or not your dogma, theology or church policies accept or reject gay or straight, it's important to understand that you can't stop there. You can't stop at the letter of the law. That is anything you call law, based in a book, yourself or others.
I believe that Jesus was more interested in stirring our hearts that in pointing out our short comings. In fact, it could be that we miss an opportunity to stir a heart when we spend time pointing out shortcomings. It's not Christ's demonstration on the cross that would offend any part of my sinful nature, it's how He made it available to me. It was not through pointing out my shortcomings, but it was coming to be with me, to walk with me, talk with me and live life with me.
Gay, straight, celibate, partnered, married, bisexual, conflicted or otherwise, what is your evidence that others want to be with you? Are you charging them with this task? Are you charging those who follow Christ to evidence Him to you? Don't settle for getting angry when they show more interest in pointing out things. We all know what the law is capable of. Stay -- and challenge them and yourself -- differently.
Like I sometimes say to my good friends, "Do something different!"
Greg
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