Where do we begin if we believe in the power of "with," the power of loving gays and lesbians? This is perhaps the central issue addressed in Andrew Marin's new book, Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community
. These are the questions we must ask and answers to these questions can frame a whole new way -- a third way, the power of "with."Andrew makes a powerful suggestion because he looks to the issue of validation. Here are his observations:
"From my vantage point the GLBT community has been searching within the wrong sources. A gay pastor's validation can't get someone into heaven.... And don't you dare forget -- a straight anything's validation or judgments won't be able to send anyone to heaven or hell either! Only God can" (85).
Which means God-validation has the power of "with" within its grasp. He then asks the questions of his whole book:
"So then why not start peacefully pointing gays and lesbians in the direction of learning how to have an intimate, real, conversational relationship with the Father and Judge instead of trying to put all of then in 12-step programs? Like all other groups, including straight believers, GLBT people are nothing more than sheep looking for their shepherd" (85).
What do you think of his proposal?
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As a Jewish and gay believer in Messiah Yeshua, I followed your comments with interest. Some of you may be horrified to learn that I live with my partner in a committed and monogamous relationship. And some might find it impossible to believe that there are spirit-filled, Bible believing followers of the One our prophets foretold so many years ago and who are gay. I attended a Reform synagogue for many years and was a closet believer in Yeshua. When I finally plucked up the courage and confessed my faith in Him, I was asked to resign as member of the synagogue. After many months of trauma, I found a Messianic assembly - however, when they found out that I was gay, I was asked to leave.
Many of you may not appreciate what it means to be cut off from one's community. To be told 'you are no longer a Jew' is very painful. But I count it also a tremendous blessing to suffer for the One who is our Lord and Saviour (Moshiach).
Shalom to all seekers of truth!
Bry, find a 1 Cor 9:11 church where Christians, called out a myriad of sins, exhibit a repentance for sin, a love for God, a hunger for righteousness, a desire for His Word rightly taught and preached, and obedience and submission to Him. Be assured, persistence in prayer and patient endurance through the trials of life demonstrate true faith (James 1-2). May God richly bless you and your children.
Bry #9: I know quite well I am a sinner. But I do not hold my sin up in the face of God and claim it acceptable.
That is why the argument "We all sin, your sins are just different" or "We all pick and choose our sins so who are you to judge this sin as worse than yours" is a straw man.
I like the idea of "with" and I respect that Marin has a lot of work and thinking behind this. But I wonder if "transcend the argument" doesn't actually become "concede the argument." If "with" means there is no longer a discussion at all, then the discussion has not been transcended, just declared passe and off-limits.
Bry,
As the gay son of devout conservative Christians, I know a little about the struggle you are engaged in with your children. Families with lgbt children work things out in a number of ways.
You might want to watch the movie "For the Bible Tells Me So," which looks at some of the ways that some Christian families cope with this struggle. Not every family in the movie ends up joining a PFLAG chapter and/or marching in a Pride parade. Some families are simply unable to accept the choices their adult children make, and their stories are told as well.
I know that the journey you are on is lonely and very frightening. If nothing else, Marin's book opens up a door for a new kind conversation within the church, and hopefully you will find support and encouragement in the dialogue.
I really appreciate this series, the discussion, and I'm looking forward to reading Marin's book.
I have been a committed evangelical Christian who have spent a good number of years trying to be healed/delivered from homosexual desires. A series of recent events led me to stop pretending I can turn heterosexual and instead ask more searching questions.
I remember asking God if He was disappointed with me or if I have messed up, and the immediate voice (which is so characteristic of His mercy) was, "I am the God who bottles your tears."
This is the power of "with" exemplified by God Himself.
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