Newsweek's Issue on Gay Marriage

It is not surprising to see the media rallying behind the angry band of gay rights individuals and pushing through a cover story on "the Bible's case for homosexuality." The progressive scholars of this time wish to expand the Word of God to encompass the cultural issues of today rather than having the Word stand on its own to be Truth to every culture at every time.

Homosexuality is not a new thing at all. It is something that was rampant in the Corinthian church and Paul clearly addressed it as being sin when he said to them, "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."(1 Cor. 6:9-10) People who actively engage in these sinful behaviors are separated from God when they do this. A holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. I look at this list and quickly confess that many times I am greedy, I slander, I idolize things. God's judgment on these things as sinful is solid-but he provides us a way out through His Son. The very next verse in this letter to the Corinthians says, "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."

I am strongly moved to love homosexuals with the love of Jesus. I will blunder in this, but I long to walk with His heart leading me. I believe this means listening to them, welcoming them into my home, learning about the injustices they are suffering through violence and hatred. I can get to know people who have chosen this lifestyle without condoning it or calling it ok or good. I know that homosexuals own this part of them as a deeply rooted feeling and motivation, but I clearly call it sin and believe that the feelings of attraction can be taken away and replaced with God-given affections if they repent from the sin and seek purity. The same goes for an alcoholic who feels that alcohol is an appendage to their being- that they cannot live apart from it. The same goes for a person who is a slave to their greedy habits and have grown up always wanting more and wanting what another has. It feels unnatural to them to not live this way - to learn contentment. But it can be done by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ. When you repent (turn 180 degrees from your sin and start walking in a new direction), the feelings and life changes can follow after that commitment has been made.

Apparently Laura Ingraham had planned to have the author of the Newsweek article, Lisa Miller, on her show recently to discuss her article and have a discussion with Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Lisa Miller bailed on her appearance at the last minute, so that basically gave the floor to Mohler for him to share his thoughts on her article and the issue at hand. His blog gives a great summary of his thoughts on the matter from a Christian perspective, and I agree very much with his insight. You can read that here: http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2881

What are your thoughts? :-)