The Baptist Press has run an article about a couple of speakers urging Christians to love homosexuals in a Christ-like way. Love homosexuals as Jesus would, ex-gays urge at conference - (BP) Here is a passage that especially caught my eye:
"Many Christians like to use the phrase 'hate the sin, love the sinner' to describe their attitude toward homosexuals, but again, communication completely breaks down, Thompson said. 'Christians consider homosexuality a behavior, but homosexuals consider it an identity,' he said. 'If gay and lesbian folks consider their orientation an identity, is it really possible to ‘hate the sin’ without also hating the sinner?' Thompson suggests that instead of looking at homosexuals through the world’s eyes, Christians need to look at the world through their eyes. 'This means that, when discussing the subject of homosexuality with people, we must use words that are inclusive, not divisive,' he explained, pointing out that while homosexuals use words like 'love' and 'relationship' to describe homosexual behavior, Christians use words like 'sin' and 'abomination.' 'We must put aside this kind of language if we want our ministries to be a safe place for students to talk openly about their sexuality,' he said."
We must be much more careful about the words we use so that we can begin to show love of Jesus to all people. I just hope people were listening because this is the area where Christians seem to most fail to "love they neighbor as thyself." For more thoughts, check out this article I wrote awhile back: Be It Resolved: Christians, McCarthyism, and Homosexuality
"Many Christians like to use the phrase 'hate the sin, love the sinner' to describe their attitude toward homosexuals, but again, communication completely breaks down, Thompson said. 'Christians consider homosexuality a behavior, but homosexuals consider it an identity,' he said. 'If gay and lesbian folks consider their orientation an identity, is it really possible to ‘hate the sin’ without also hating the sinner?' Thompson suggests that instead of looking at homosexuals through the world’s eyes, Christians need to look at the world through their eyes. 'This means that, when discussing the subject of homosexuality with people, we must use words that are inclusive, not divisive,' he explained, pointing out that while homosexuals use words like 'love' and 'relationship' to describe homosexual behavior, Christians use words like 'sin' and 'abomination.' 'We must put aside this kind of language if we want our ministries to be a safe place for students to talk openly about their sexuality,' he said."
We must be much more careful about the words we use so that we can begin to show love of Jesus to all people. I just hope people were listening because this is the area where Christians seem to most fail to "love they neighbor as thyself." For more thoughts, check out this article I wrote awhile back: Be It Resolved: Christians, McCarthyism, and Homosexuality
Although I agree some what w/ what this author wrote about loving homosexuals and that as Christians we need to love our neighbors. I would even go as far as saying that we shouldn't judge or condemn these individuals. However, what should we say if we are asked about homosexuality and our position? Do we condone the 'practice' or condemn it? Although Jesus preached a message of mercy, forgiveness, and peace, he also would say 'go and sin no more' to those that he healed.
ReplyDeleteIs homosexuality a sin? I know the old testament speaks of it briefly and the book of Romans also has a brief passage about it, but Jesus never really spoke about it.
I have homosexual friends and although I would never condemn them or judge them, I am still a little confused as to what position I need to take as a Christian. I don't necessarily think it's 'natural' to lust after those of the same gender, but I also think some people can't help it.
As you can tell I am a tad perplexed by this issue.
You raise good questions and it is good to wrestle with this instead of just emotionally reacting one way or the other. Frankly, I am bothered by the whole debate for two reasons.
ReplyDeleteFirst, when we really get down to what's important it does not matter whether it is a sin or not (please keep reading before sending hateful comments). Regardless if it is or not all homosexuals—just like heterosexuals—are sinners who desperately need the love and forgiveness of Jesus. We are all sinners!
Second, I think we need to focus on more important issues. You are correct in noting that Jesus doesn't mention it and the rest of the Bible rarely does. Why don't we focus more on what Jesus focused on? And for some odd reason many Christians act like this is the worse sin out there. Even if we were going to create a hierarchy of sins—which I don't think is biblical—this one should not be at the top of the list. How about murder? How about stealing money from people?