Choosing sides not only choice in homosexuality debate
by John Pierce, Executive Editor,
Baptists Today
The hot-button issue of homosexuality has been
simmering for a while in Christian circles. Now the Episcopal Church
has put it on the front burner with the highly publicized decision
to elect and consecrate Eugene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.
Reaction has
been strong. It is too early to measure the full impact this
controversial issue will have on churches and denominational groups.
Some
Christians — lined up on both sides of the issue — are firmly
convinced their perspectives are right. Often they will settle for
nothing less than a full embrace of their conclusions by all others.
One group
calls for strong condemnation of homosexuality. The Bible clearly
defines the sinful state of homosexuals, they insist, and anything
short of our overt condemnation is an accommodation of sin.
In the other
corner are those who insist that homosexual concerns in scripture
are not applicable to loving, monogamous relationships in
contemporary culture. They insist that excluding homosexuals from
full participation in church life is equal to racial and gender
discrimination.
The two
opposing camps disagree on the nature of homosexuality. To one,
homosexuality is a chosen sinful lifestyle that can be overcome with
spiritual commitment. The other sees sexual orientation as fixed —
even God-given — and therefore valid in its expression.
Interestingly, these opposing sides tend to share an unwavering
commitment to their firmly held interpretations and often consider
the advancement of their position more important than unity.
Others of us,
however, see homosexuality as a complex issue with explosive
potential. We want to take it a bit more slowly.
We want to
study, pray and carefully consider our Christian response to
homosexual persons without being pressured to choose sides. We want
to explore the differences between sexual orientation and practice.
We want to hear the passionate concerns from both sides.
In other
words, we want some time to wrestle with this issue without
condemnation from those who already hold their positions in
concrete.
We are tired
of being told that we don’t believe the Bible if we refuse to join
the quick condemnation crowd or that we are bigoted if we don’t
readily endorse homosexual behavior as an acceptable alternative
lifestyle.
While
admitting that my questions outnumber answers on this issue right
now, I am certain that it is possible to take biblical authority
seriously while still showing great compassion for all of God’s
children. Working all that out can be conflicting and messy,
however.
It will be
interesting to see how many churches and church organizations are
wrecked over the issue of homosexuality. We do not have a good track
record of dealing with controversial issues in constructive ways.
In some
cases, both those who condemn and embrace homosexuality are eager to
push their views of “rightness” despite the severe splintering that
may be caused.
Recently, the
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina tossed out a church that
simply baptized two men assumed to be gay. It was a fearful
overreaction lacking any respect for the congregation’s own right to
struggle with this complex issue.
On the other
hand, there is a group trying to pressure the Cooperative Baptist
Fellowship into rescinding a hiring policy that prohibits employment
of openly practicing homosexuals. To do so would surely lead to the
loss of major contributors and ministry partners.
Yet the
Fellowship is roundly criticized from the other side as well because
it respects local church autonomy and partners with congregations
who hold different views on homosexuality and other issues.
Advocating
for one’s position is always reasonable. However, those on both
sides of this controversial issue should consider that sometimes the
right thing to do is slow down. Much is at stake.
Studies show
that the younger generation has a more open attitude toward
homosexuality than previous ones. So whatever battles are fought now
will likely be revisited in the future.
However, the
divisions we create today could have long-term consequences.
Unless we
stop fanning the flames of division, the heat will be so intense
that it burns up a lot of ministry fuel and there will be fewer
resources and relationships available for carrying out the church’s
mission in the future.
No one is
being asked to compromise his or her deeply held convictions — just
to be respectful and constructive in relating to fellow Christians
who disagree or are still prayerfully searching for answers.
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