Everything That's On My Mind

It’s with some trepidation that I begin this blog entry. As Brian McLaren has outlined recently, trying to address the issue of homosexuality is a minefield for those of us trying to accurately represent both the truth of God’s word and the truth of His love for sinners. With this year’s movies like “Brokeback Mountain”, “Transamerica”, and to a lesser degree, “Capote”,* Hollywood has brought this issue to the forefront like never before. Many in the Christian community have decried the purported agenda of these movies. On the eve of the Academy Awards, I offer a few observations on the issue of homosexual behavior.

• Homosexual behavior is sin. There is no honest, literal reading of scripture that can come to any other conclusion. However, it is not a “special” sin. It is no different to God than the sins we find “more acceptable” like divorce, lust, or greed. As fallen human beings, we classify sins. Those who are overcome by sins that we ourselves are tempted by receive our understanding and mercy, whereas those who are overcome by sins that we are not tempted by are more likely to be condemned and ostracized. God has no such categories. Spending time browsing the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is no less repugnant in God’s eyes than homosexual activity.
• We need to learn how to listen, even to viewpoints that we disagree with. Listening, discussing, and caring will not “compromise” the Gospel. Quite to the contrary, how can we expect anyone to listen to our viewpoint if we are unwilling to listen to their viewpoint? Spreading the Gospel does not require silencing the voices of dissent; the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to overcome all opposition. Have we learned nothing from church history?
• Can we as Christians please refrain from joining the fraternity of the perpetually offended? Do we really want to be associated with PETA, NOW, Greenpeace and the rest of the professional protest industry? When I read scripture, I don’t see Jesus or John or Paul or James or Peter decrying the decay of Roman society or calling for political change. Picket lines and press releases do not help spread the Gospel. The fires of revival are not fed by political action; they are fed by prayer, devotion, and holiness.