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.
Yes,
we live in a society that is in decline. Yes, voices we disagree with
are getting louder and louder. Yes, behaviors that God calls sin are
becoming more and more acceptable in our culture. The answer is not
political power; the answer is Holy Spirit power. Our calling is not to
protest, but to make disciples. Our message is not one of condemnation,
but one of love.
With the tongue
we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been
made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:9-10 (NIV)
*
Full disclosure: I have not seen any of the three movies mentioned
above. The only one I have any plans to see is “Capote”. In fact, as I
look at the list of Oscar nominees I realize I have seen very few of
the nominated movies this year and none of the Best Picture nominees,
which is surprising to me.