“I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It, Then I Went to Hell”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, September 15, 2008
- Viewed 143
- (72) comments so far
You can watch the local news report here with an interview of the sign pastor. And you can read a story on Ray Boltz here
OK… how should the church tackle homosexuality? It seems to me that both of these approaches are dead wrong.
Todd
That's the text of a sign posted outside a Columbus, OH church last week. Obviously, this sign was a take off of (former CCM singer) Katie Perry's song titled "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It".
I've been saying for a long time that I really think that homosexuality is THE big battleground in the evangelical church these days. And the past week was a good example.
For those who haven't yet heard, Christian singer Ray Boltz came 'out of the closet' last week. He decided to take his homosexuality public as he began a series of concerts in affirming churches. Boltz's quote: “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.”
Those are the two extremes: First, lash out publically, openly and publically condemning all homosexuals to hell on the church sign; to openly being homosexual and rejoicing because that is the way God made you.
Comments
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deaubery on Mon, September 15, 2008
Ray Boltz, you got to be kidding me. thats a big letdown.
Shaun King on Mon, September 15, 2008
Hey Todd,
We posed this same question on my blog a few months ago and it has been the most viewed (and commented on) post ever - with a very balanced set of suggestions and views.
Check it out @:
http://www.shauninthecity.com/blog/2008/07/how-does-our-ch.html
jgarwood on Mon, September 15, 2008
Start burning people at the stake and bring back Calvin’s Consistory. Just kidding. I’m thinking very clear preaching of repentance and faith is the best option?
Kevin Torres on Mon, September 15, 2008
The church needs to start by putting the topic on the table. Currently the topic is not discussed. It’s not in sermons, it’s not in Christian articles and there are no conference breakout sessions on the topic.
fishon on Mon, September 15, 2008
Kevin,
Forgive me if I have misunderstood you, but I take issue with: “...it’s not in Christian articles and there are no conference breakout sessions on the topic.”
Though I won’t name them, several mail-line denominations have had many articles and conferences on the topic, over many years. The results, gay pastors/priests and the open embrace of practicing homosexuality as not sin with those who talked about it the most.
What might be the titles and theme of a conference you envision?
Oh, by the way, didn’t Jerry Falwell have a conference or several, and many Christian pastor stayed away because of fear of being branded intolerant, bigoted, and gay bashers?
fishon
CS on Mon, September 15, 2008
“OK… how should the church tackle homosexuality?”
I would address it like any other sin, just like jgarwood said above, with a clear message of repentance and faith.
—
CS
Pastor Dan on Mon, September 15, 2008
I am so tired of the whole “this is the way God made me and God wants me to be happy” line. Ridiculous… it’s like saying “I’ve struggled with lust all my life and I felt so ashamed and frustrated. I’ve been living this secret life of lust but now I realize it’s just the way God made me and He wants me to be happy so He wants me to lust” We all have to resist our flesh and it’s natural bent towards sin. Many times it is a struggle and without God’s power we have no hope of victory. Someone who struggles with homosexuality must realize that is a sinful desire and that it needs to be resisted and overcome through the power of God. We must never compromise the truth about sin and never get to a place where we cozy up to sin and call it a lifestyle or an orientation. The Bible is crystal clear that all sex outside of the marriage of a man and woman is sin. That said we must have compassion and love for those who struggle with homosexuality. We all struggle with sin, some sins are just more acceptable in Christian culture than others. We must encourage them to see their sin for what it is and point them to the Savior who alone can forgive them and empower them to live in victory over sin. One last though - can you imagine inviting the apostle Paul to a conference on homosexuality….
Mike Ellis on Mon, September 15, 2008
“You’ve never locked eyes with ANYONE who doesn’t matter to the Father”
- Bill Hybels
David Norman on Mon, September 15, 2008
i think all on reading your blog would agree that placing that on your sign does more damage to cause of Christ than the song ever would. i don’t like the song (though it’s insanely catchy), but pastors who allow signs like that to characterize the body of Christ anger me more than the song ever could. i expect non-Christians (even if they used to be in Christian music) to act like non-Christians. i expect more from the Church (and Christ does as well.)
Evan Blackerby on Mon, September 15, 2008
I have to say I am not sure how to handle it from a practical standpoint. I understand we should love others…. but what is love? is it tough love? ignorant love? unconditional love? accountability?
There are some real questions as to where anyone who calls himself a Christian, who sins habitually, then justifies it… is getting their version of Christianity. It’s a tough call. My question is simply: Where are we sinners getting our truth?
Daniel on Mon, September 15, 2008
“The Bible is crystal clear that all sex outside of the marriage of a man and woman is sin.”
Really?????
Must we revisit the (never condemned) polygamy of our forefathers in the faith?
I do believe Christians are called to live lives of celibate singleness or faithful heterosexual monogamy. But to say that the Bible is “crystal clear” on the topic is to call a cloudy day sunny.
The Bible is primarily narrative. How to derive a ‘sexual ethic’ for Scripture is a massively contentious issue (witness the furors over birth control, abortion, homosexuality, enjoying sex, divorce, remarriage, polygamy, intersex marriage, interracial marriage, etc. that have plagued Church history!), so let’s not pretend like anyone who disagrees with us is a reprobate.
It just ain’t so.
The key question, in my opinion, is “how do those of us who do hold to a Protestant sexual ethic faithfully live out our calling to holiness and purity in a way that testifies both to God’s providence and to God’s grace in a broken world?”
My two cents.
-Daniel-
David Norman on Mon, September 15, 2008
Really?
somebody take the textbook out of Daniel’s hands and get that boy a Bible.
Brent H on Mon, September 15, 2008
David,
Feel free to disagree, but please don’t accuse someone of not knowing the Bible simply because they disagree with you. Your comment about Daniel was quite uncalled for. I’m sure he doesn’t need anyone to defend him, but his answer was very biblically based. Also, your use of the term “boy” came across as arrogant (I hope you did not mean it that way).
I have read Daniel’s posts both here and on his blog, and he is very committed to scripture, much more so than many of the proof-texters one might encounter in the blogosphere.
Maybe more of us should pick up a textbook WITH our Bibles. We may find that there is more to God’s word than we thought.
Brent
Peter Hamm on Mon, September 15, 2008
I’d like to know how often this church put up a message condemning the sins of gluttony, pride, and gossip.
Just sayin’…
On one hand I’m tired of people arguing that God made them this way, on the other hand I’m tired of people chasing them away with a Bible. I’m especially tired of this being a litmus test for whether or not someone is going to hell. I mean, if someone is gay and is celibate, are they actively sinning?
David Norman on Mon, September 15, 2008
First, allow me to apologize for my use of the term “boy.”
Second, I would agree with you on the idea of picking up a textbook with our Bibles with one caveat: one is the (dare I say it) infallible Word of the LIving God, another is man’s attempt at grasping it. I am a seminary student, myself, and agree that there is a need to be informed. However, nothing aggravates me more than our attempt to explain away clear doctrinal truths. It has become “chic” to do so, and even in situations where perhaps it displays more “love,” when we argue that a clear sin isn’t sin, we empower our hearers to participate. In those circumstances, we as pastors (with additional responsibility) will be held with blood on our hands.
The Bible is crystal clear that all sex outside of the marriage of a man and woman is sin. And anyone who disagrees with (or attempts to explain away) that foundational truth needs to seriously check their view of Scripture.
I am concerned that we who love others (as we are all called to do) desire to lessen the clarity of Scripture in order soften the blow to others. While I will agree that our preaching and teaching need be rooted in Scripture, and we should be aware and cognizant of those who would hear us speak, we do them, ourselves, and our God a great disservice.
I believe we are called to love regardless. Regardless of anyone’s sin, faith, worldview, or perspective. We must love. But I would not be loving someone without being clear on truths that God has made clear. We must speak the Word of God. Any attempt (and I mean any) to argue away clear truths should be confronted strongly.
Daniel, you have a great use of words. I’m just cautious of some of your conclusions. Brent, you have my respect for calling me out. I hope I have clarified my position.
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