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Post by Sarah on Jun 1, 2010 23:03:54 GMT -5
OK so I was riding in the car with some friends and one friend brought up a news story about Jennifer Knapp (former Christian singer) who has now come out of the closet and says she's gay. (I'm not sure how long ago this took place.) Anyway, so we pulled up the this interview on Larry King Live. One of the comments that she continuously said (and the ticker at the bottom of the screen continued to say) was that even though she was gay she was still a Christian.
I'm very interested in hearing your thoughts on if this can actually happen. Can you be a true Christian and be gay? If not, do you think she was ever a Christian? Do you think she is a Christian and not really gay?
This is one of those topics that I have my opinion and I have a reason but it's pretty much a "because it's not right" reason. I need a better explanation if asked this question. Thanks!
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Post by Mike Miller on Jun 2, 2010 9:02:17 GMT -5
A gay person is one who is attracted to members of the same sex. Is it possible for someone with those desires to become a Christian? Of course. Is it possible that those desires don't automatically go away after becoming a Christian? You bet. I haven't met a Christian yet who has lost every desire for sin. Unfortunately, we Evangelicals have put homosexuality into a super-sin category. We joke about gluttony, call pornography an addiction, and ignore heterosexual cohabitation.
The real question is whether someone can act upon homosexual desires and still be a Christian. But we must also ask if a person can continue to look at porn or have intimate relations with a member of the oposite sex and still be a Christian. I think the answer is "yes." However, a true Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and will be under tremendous conviction when he sins. Homosexuality (an orientation toward the same gender) is not in itself sinful any more than a proclivity toward anger, alcohol, or overeating is sinful (though that is certainly part of our sin nature). Homosexuality becomes a sin when it develops into lust or is acted upon, just like heterosexuals sin when entertaining lustful thoughts or having sex outside of marriage.
So, can a person be a Christian and live a homosexual lifestyle--even in a monogamous relationship? While I will leave the eternal condition of one's soul to the Creator, Scripture makes it clear that a true Christian will hate and reject sin. Sure, we still sin, but we grieve over it, repent, and move on. We don't say, "Hey, this is my lifestyle. I can live in absolute open rebellion against God and still be a Christian." I don't know how anyone can know and love God and be content to live directly in contradiction to His Word. What would we say if someone said, "I've decided to cheat on my husband. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm still a Christian." Or what about, "Sure I beat my wife every day. That's the way God made me. I celebrate my violent nature. I'm still a Christian." Well, homosexual behavior is just as sinful as adultery and spousal abuse. It is completely incompatible with Christian living.
Is Jennifer Knapp really a Christian? That's between her and God. Is her lifestyle Christian? No, it is not. Can a Christian be happy living in rebellion to God? No. If she is truly saved, she is miserable. A Christian cannot defy God and be happy and content.
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Post by charliedale on Jun 2, 2010 17:50:23 GMT -5
I was just reading your really awesome answer when I scrolled up and noticed the ad at the top said "Browse Thousands of Gay Singles". Apparently the use of the "G" word made it come up. I confess that I burst into laughter when I saw it. ...now I'm grieving... now I'm repenting ... now I'm moving on...
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Post by Guest on Jun 2, 2010 20:22:06 GMT -5
So what about Ted Haggard in Colorado Springs who is opening a new church? Isn't it un-Biblical for him to be leading another church after what he openly admitted what he was involved in?
He was the pastor of a mega-church out there when he got busted for meth dealing & an accused relationship with another man.
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Post by Mike Miller on Jun 3, 2010 9:03:10 GMT -5
My conviction regarding Ted Haggard is that repentance and restoration are available to him and anyone else who sins. However, since he fell morally while serving as a pastor, and since he was so duplicitous as a leader in the church, I believe he is disqualified as a pastor. If he is truly repentant, he may certainly serve in a church, but not as pastor. The standard for a pastor is high, and he must be above reproach.
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Post by danny on Jun 5, 2010 8:45:02 GMT -5
I have a Christian friend who is openly gay. My position after many years is that he is living in open disobedience to God. Does he struggle with this, sure. He claims God created him that way. I disagree but we remain friends.
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Post by Rich in Faith on Jun 5, 2010 14:16:08 GMT -5
I have a Christian friend who is openly gay. My position after many years is that he is living in open disobedience to God. Does he struggle with this, sure. He claims God created him that way. I disagree but we remain friends.
American Psychological Association revises statement on homosexualityA publication from the American Psychological Association includes an admission that there is no "gay" gene, according to a doctor who has written about the issue on the website of National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality. A. Dean Byrd, the past president of NARTH, confirmed that the statement from the American Psychological Association came in a brochure that updates what the APA has advocated for years. |
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Post by cartoonist on Jun 7, 2010 18:35:55 GMT -5
One of the reasons I treasure having Mike Miller as a pastor is the common sense approach he brings to questions like these. Good answer, pastor.
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Post by West TX Chick on Jul 14, 2010 21:39:32 GMT -5
There is man at Stone Gate church in Midland, Texas who was gay. He was a Christian and has turned his life back to the Lord with lots of help. His testimony is awesome. If you ever have the chance to hear him, it's well worth the time. He came and spoke at our church a few weeks back.
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Post by Devils Advocate on Aug 2, 2010 22:01:17 GMT -5
Can you define why homosexuality or homosexual behavior is actually a sin? Do we know what God doesn't like about it in particular? Besides being in the category of sexual immorality. Why isn't it talked about much in the new testament? Isn't it really only directly mentioned in leviticus with a whole bunch of other rules and regulations we do not follow. And why didn't Jesus make a big deal about it if objection to it was so important? And lastly, how do you really witness to someone who is gay and tell them what they believe and "feel" in the core of their being is flawed. Doesn't this leave gay people at a disadvantage to ever have a chance to response to the gospel being that they are asked to leave their sexuality at the door of the church while heterosexuals get a free pass from day one?
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Post by Mike Miller on Aug 3, 2010 9:35:56 GMT -5
Hey, Devil's Advocate. Fantastic questions.
First, homosexual behavior is sin because the Bible says that it is. God is the one who determines what sin is. Why are overeating and drunkenness sin? Because God says so. Of course, we also know that overeating and drunkenness are bad for the health, show lack of self-control, and lead to other problems, so we understand why God placed those restrictions on us. God's commands don't restrict us to punish us, but to give us the best life possible. Similarly, homosexual behavior is very dangerous. The average lifespan of a homosexual man is significantly shorter than that of a heterosexual man. Nevertheless, even if it weren't unhealthy, God is our Creator, and as such, He determines what is and isn't sin.
As to what God doesn't like about it in particular, not only is it dangerous behavior, but according to Romans 1:26-27, it is unnatural. Of course, we don't really need the Bible to tell us that. All we have to do is look at male and female anatomy. Male and female sex organs are compatible with each other. Homosexual activity goes against the Creator's design for His creation.
Homosexuality is mentioned in the New Testament. Not only do we have the reference in Romans above, but also in 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1. Moreover, as for the references you mention in Leviticus, homosexual behavior is indeed mentioned with other regulations we do not follow, but we are still to follow the levitical moral code, which also includes adultery, pederasty, incest, and bestiality. We do not, however, follow the law relating to sacrifices, for Jesus is the final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12). We do not follow laws for cleanliness because Jesus has made us clean (John 15:3). We also do not follow dietary laws because Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19).
Why didn't Jesus make a big deal about homosexuality if it is so important? Who said it is so important? Jesus did not mention every single sin, but we don't simply follow the words Jesus said. We look to all of Scripture. The only reason homosexuality is such a hot topic is because some people have made it one. Scripture does not place it in a separate category like the modern evangelical church has. However, Jesus was clear that any sex outside of marriage is sin--even lusting for someone not your spouse. He also reinforced the fact that marriage is to be between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6).
Now, as for how you witness to someone who is gay, you share the good news of Jesus with them. Just last week, I was sharing the Gospel with a bisexual. I focused on Jesus. We talked about his sin and the fact that all have sinned--not just gay or bisexual people--and that we all need a savior. My job is not to convict of sin. John 6:44 says that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him to Jesus. Romans 1:16 says that the Gospel is the power to save people. I am to share the Gospel, and I assume that if God is drawing someone, He will bring the conviction of sin--whether that sin is homosexual behavior, adultery, gossip, lying, or gluttony. Honestly, I don't worry about how to talk to someone about their specific sins. I just share the Gospel. If God is working on them, they are already under conviction. If they ask about their sin, I give them a straightforward answer. But people who have it in their nature to lie or steal or get drunk or fornicate (as heterosexuals) are no different than those who are inclined to homosexuality. Heterosexuals do not get a free pass. We are all to live under the Lordship of our Creator, and that means different things for different people. I believe that our all sufficient Savior can overcome any and all sin when we surrender to Him.
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