A statement on the Saddleback Church website declares, "someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted at a member at Saddleback Church." The full statement on homosexuality:
What does the Bible say about homosexuality?The Bible very clearly says that homosexuality is a sin.
"Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin." (Lev. 18:22 TLB)
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:9-11 NIV)
While all sin is destructive, Romans 6 warns us of the great dangers in sexual sin when it says, "Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body." (1 Cor 6:18 NLT) This includes not only homosexuality, but all sexual immorality: adultery, sex without marriage, pornography. We must not act as if homosexuality is the only serious sexual sin, and we must not act as if homosexuality is not a serious sexual sin.I've heard it asked, "Isn't being homosexual something that a person is physically born with?" First of all, there are absolutely no facts to support this claim. From time to time studies have been reported in the news that seemed to indicate this, but every one of these studies has proven to be wrong. Secondly, even if some physical difference were discovered, it would be no excuse for sin. We know that some people can develop a stronger physical addiction to alcohol than others, but that's obviously no excuse for living an alcoholic lifestyle.
Finally, a word about being judgmental. It's not judgmental to say that what the Bible calls a sin is a sin, that's just telling the truth. Not being willing to talk to someone caught up in sin, or not believing that they can be forgiven, or thinking that you are not just as much in need of Jesus as they are ... that's being judgmental.
Because membership in a church is an outgrowth of accepting the Lordship and leadership of Jesus in one's life, someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted at a member at Saddleback Church. That does not mean they cannot attend church - we hope they do! God's Word has the power to change our lives.
In equal desire to follow Jesus, we also would not accept a couple into membership at Saddleback who were not willing to repent of the sexual sin of living together before marriage. That does not mean this couple cannot attend church - we hope they do! God's Word has the power to change our lives
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Shane,
As a pastor I would like to ask how can you be part of an AOG church that believes strongly against homosexuality. Secondly can you prove that homosexuality is acceptable in the sight of God? Just curious.
Does anyone know if the Saddleback Church disallows divorced and remarried people? I wonder if they have the courage of their convictions and apply their interpretation of Christianity on straight divorced people.
I completely agree with the first statement...if a church does not allow a homosexual person because they are a "sinner," then they would not be allowed to have any members at all. The Bible clearly states that we are ALL sinners. Our church would welcome homosexual persons simply based on the fact that they should have a place to come and repent just like the rest of us! We are all God's children and we are loved by Him despite our sinful natures. I love the Purpose Driven Life, but I am very disappointed in the decisions of the Saddleback Church and Rick Warren's ministries (if these allegations are actually true).
Phil,
Please don't pick on Shane. Believe me, as the mom of an LGBT child, I know they take enough hassling from straights, starting from the playground.
I also believe that, as the accusor, the onus is on you, Phil, to prove that homosexuality is NOT acceptable in the sight of God. The comment filed under, "Your Name," has it right, in my opinion. We are all "wonderfully and fearfully made," and we all sin.
The difference is that some of us cloak our sins in slick language. Take, for example, Rev. Warren. He says he doesn't take a nickel in salary from Saddleback Church, yet claims a $600,000 housing deduction of the top of his taxable income to keep up his many mansions.
In my Father's mansion, there are many rooms... seems to me Rev. Warren has the context a bit skewed! Peace, Amy
Take note, it talks about someone who remains unwilling to repent and talks about membership. It does not say they are not welcome to come to church. I am a Christian from the Anglican tradition in the persecuted church. I believe, as does Saddleback I am sure, that the doors of the Church are open to all of us, as someone pointed out - all have sinned and fall short, but membership in terms of you performing ministries in the church, pastoring, counselling should be held as revered positions and responsibilities which are given to prayerfully chosen people appointed by God and the Holy Spriit who revealed to the writers of the Epistles that homosexuality is wrong, will not change His mind simply because this is the 21st C. The reason Jesus condemned divorce was because it went against the sanctity of the union between one man and woman. They did not ask him the blasphemous question about homosexuality, you see they remembered why the flood came in Genesis, it was sexual perversion NOT BETWEEN ONE MAN AND WOMAN, they remembered SODOM AND GOMORRHA again NOT BETWEEN ONE MAN ONE WOMAN. We have forgotten not only those narratives in the WORD OF GOD, but have also forgotten to ask Jesus, the sadducees asked Jesus and so he answered them. Why dont you try to ask Him. Do you honestly think that Jesus will say to you go ahead and redefine creation and appointment of roles in marital relationships? If so I ask you to please re discover the Gospels, re read them and come in touch with the JEsus who is appearing to 100s of 1000s of people in the Muslim world and revealing to them a holy santified lifestyle and redefining their take of polygamy. The doors to the Church are open, just, I do not think I would like to go to a Church where the Sunday School teachers are in a gay marriage, just the way I would not like to go to a Church where my kids go to a sunday school which says Allah and Jesus is the same. Its about changing Jesus to suit my needs and my carnal understanding and desires and thats wrong.
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