“Why Don’t We Love the Homosexual and Hate our Sin?”
- Posted on June 23, 2008
- Viewed 681 times
- (47) comments
Only 22 percent of SBC pastors believe Southern Baptists are sufficiently ministering to persons with same-sex attractions, indicating that most desire to reach out.
“I think the Christian faith has not done as good a job as we ought to of reacting redemptively toward people who are caught in the web of the homosexual lifestyle,” said Dr. Richard Land, president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, during an informal dialogue at the annual meeting. “These people are not beyond the grace of God and they need the grace of God. We need to reach out to them.”
Here’s the link to the full article.
What do you think? I rather like the way he phrased the question…
According to an article in The Christian Post, Christians often say "love the sinner, hate the sin" when expressing their stance on homosexuality. But the new leader of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Johnny Hunt, wants to offer something different: "Why don't we love the homosexual and hate OUR sin?"
When the public views Southern Baptists and how they deal with the issue of homosexuality, Hunt hopes people will see how they love the homosexual.
"There seemed to be ... less of what we're fighting against and more of what we all stand for," said Sam Rainer, a pastor and president of Rainer Research, in his latest blog post, as he reflected on last week's annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, your picture will displayed on any website that supports gravitars.
Bruce Gerencser on Mon, June 23, 2008
Brian,
I know how difficult it is to “clean out” someone’s place after death. May God grant you much grace.
Bruce
Todd Rhoades on Mon, June 23, 2008
Hey y’all,
We’ve had the discussion on homosexuality here before. We don’t really need to go down that road.
I just liked the quote because many times we say that we love people and hate the sin; all the time we’re trying to punch the sinner in the throat. Luckily, we miss their throat because we’re blinded by the log in our eye.
I think that was really his point.
Todd
fishon on Mon, June 23, 2008
Peter,
Praise the Lord. I do hope that there is a difference between the way you give the truth as opposed to Phelps.
However, as I said, come and try talking to gays at the Portland gay pride parade and see who they will describe you as being like: Fred Phelps.
I would not in any way, shape, or form take on the antics of Phelps, but that makes no difference to the gay activest. And in the end, any form of condemnation of the practice of homosexuality will get you or me or anyone else branded as haters.
To think that Christians can point out the sin of practicing homosexuality and do it in an in-offensive way that will have homosexuals rushing to be saved is to wear rose-colored glasses.
Just my opinion.
fishon
jud on Mon, June 23, 2008
Amen Fishon!
Peter Hamm on Tue, June 24, 2008
fishon,
first, I wouldn’t talk to them at the parade. It wouldn’t communicate anything. I’d much rather either
a.) create a church environment where they might actually come in and hear God’s message (including what His plan for sexuality is) in a loving way or
b.) more likely to make a difference, somehow become friends with them so I can speak into their lives about all of our sin (mine is just as bad as anyones) and the wonderful news that the price has been paid.
Either way, I’d start with the relationship. If I just go preach at them at their gay pride parade, it won’t do any good, and I’d be just like Fred.
Leonard on Tue, June 24, 2008
A Few observations: Dr. Hunts suggestion was that we love the homosexual and hate OUR sin. I think this was missed in most of the posts. It strikes right through me because of my tendency to not hate all my sin, just the ones I get caught for ar the ones that ge me in trouble. the churches ability to hat other peoples sins while ignoring their own is high.
Another observation is that we return the favor of misrepresenting the homosexual. Often the media as it relates to Christians and homosexuals is that we are all homophobic jerks who are filled with hate and judgment. We know the truth of this statement but overall this is not the majority of Christian people or Christian leaders I know. Most of us are not hateful, just indifferent, and that might be worse than being hatful, but easier for us to swallow since were not being Fred Phelps. Our sin against homosexuals is much more heinous that hate. We paint most all gay people as radical, but the truth is that there are countless numbers of people who are not activists, just people trapped in a lifestyle that is slowly destroying them. Many teens are in huge confusion right now over this issue, especially teen girls who are often encouraged to experiment. We could love them couldn’t we? Or the young guy who suffered at the hand of an abuser or dominant parent to the degree he feels safer and drawn to people of the same sex. We cold love them couldn’t we?
What keeps us from knowing who these people are and what keeps them from seeking us out is not the Fred Phelps of the world but our own indifference to hurting people as a whole.
Another observation is that “Jesus instructed us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.” So in that light I don’t think protesting a “Gay Pride Parade” is the answer but showing up with free waters and sodas might be the answer. Getting some of your friends together to pray while a parade is going on might be the answer. Finding a doctor to give free HIV tests could be the answer or have your church pay for the first 100 tests could be the answer, or free food for people…
I did not post on this yesterday because I was struck by my own “not hating my OWN sin.” My words are not pointed at anyone but myself.
jud on Tue, June 24, 2008
Peter,
As if the power of the Gospel is in our presentation of it?
I’ve been to a whole lot of churches that are ALL about presentation but there is not enough of God’s word being proclaimed to convict anyone of Sin. But people still “pray prayers” and “make decisions”.
Peter Hamm on Tue, June 24, 2008
Jud,
Does that mean we shouldn’t try to proclaim God’s truth with excellence? Our best seems to matter to God, doesn’t it?
For instance, there were a couple guys named Bezalel and Oholiab who were such good craftsman that they got their names in the Bible in Exodus. I wonder if they didn’t care about the quality of their work if their names would be in there.
Why can’t I have both. The power of God combined with my excellent use of the gifts he has given me?
fishon on Tue, June 24, 2008
Peter said:
“Either way, I’d start with the relationship. If I just go preach at them at their gay pride parade, it won’t do any good, and I’d be just like Fred.”
————-Oh, Peter, I suggest you might be just like Paul—Steven comes to mind too.
————-So you equate someone quietly, gently, softly, talking of Jesus in the town square or on a corner to Fred? Oh, Peter, I suggest you might check on some of the places Paul spoke about Christ and sin at.
And Jesus did say, “Go into all the World…,” he did not say, “Go make churches and bring them in to hear the gospel.”
fishon
fishon on Tue, June 24, 2008
Leonard wrote:
“So in that light I don’t think protesting a “Gay Pride Parade” is the answer but showing up with free waters and sodas might be the answer.”
————I am suspecting you are refering to my pointing out Portland’s gay pride parada. Go back and see if I said one word about protesting. You won’t find one.
What you have just done is assign something to me that I did not say or intend. That is no different than the News Media painting we who would call practicing homosexuality as sin, as being full of hate. Assumptions!
fishon
Peter Hamm on Tue, June 24, 2008
fishon,
Jesus said that as we go into the world we are indeed to preach the Gospel in all times and in all seasons. Just going to a gay pride parade and preaching hellfire and damnation (which is how that would be received) ain’t it. And yes, I have looked at the places and methods Paul preached in and with.
Just because the Gospel is offensive to many does not mean we have to try to be offensive.
Jud on Tue, June 24, 2008
Peter,
How do you not be offensive with something that to a practicing homosexual is as offensive as it gets?
I see no justification for the idea that you have to know someone as a friend to witness to them. Sure it may help but I believe God’s Word applied to someone’s Heart by the Holy Spirit is what convicts not the righteousness I may or may not display in front of them. If we believe we have a big role in salvation of anyone we have PRIDE (not rainbow pride either)
Bruce Gerencser on Tue, June 24, 2008
Jud says"I see no justification for the idea that you have to know someone as a friend to witness to them. Sure it may help but I believe God’s Word applied to someone’s Heart by the Holy Spirit is what convicts not the righteousness I may or may not display in front of them.”
Jesus says Mat 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Let your LIGHT shine so that those in darkness may see your good works and through your good works will they give glory to God in Heaven. Don’t preach to me, or at me. Show me. Your words mean nothing. How you live means everything.
One of the reasons Evangelicals show little progress in reaching the lost (let’s face it a lot of our growth is transfer growth) is because we see no connection between what we say and how we live. All that matters is spitting out “thus saith the Lord”
When we are ready to kiss the leper like Francis then maybe we’ll get a hearing. If not our words are empty.
fishon on Tue, June 24, 2008
Peter,
You are attributing things to me that I did NOT say. You are making a straw man out of your assumptions.
First, I did not say go preach hell fire and damnation—and now you say in essence, don’t go preaching, at a gay pride parada, that the practice of homosexuality is sin because that is how they would receive it {as hell fire and damnation]. And you use the words “Just going to a….” Why? I never said “just.”
YOU: Just because the Gospel is offensive to many does not mean we have to try to be offensive.
——-Who said anything about being mean? You are making a mountain, man. And that is my point. A Christian can go to ANY gay activity and tell them the good News of the gospel, and they will be rejected as mean and hate mongers. And it won’t take long to happen. Cause one of the first questions you will get asked is, “Is homosexuality a sin?” And if you answer truthfully, hold on to your hat.”
I haven’t attacked homosexuals in my posts, but you sure are defensive about what I say, and do a fine job of adding on to what you seem to think I am saying.
fishon
fishon on Tue, June 24, 2008
Bruce,
YOU:Don’t preach to me, or at me. Show me. Your words mean nothing. How you live means everything.
——-I do believe it was WORDS that got Steven stoned. It was words that got all the apostles marytered. It was NOT living the gospel out that got 2 pastor from Turkey and 1 from German tortured for hours and killed a year, Easter. It is the combination of being the light and sharing the word that that is important. It still says, “Faith comes by hearing….”
And I am sorry, my friend, but living the best life possible will not get you a hearing by most gays. The first time they ask you ‘THE QUESTION,’ they will spit on your life.
fishon
Page 2 of 4 pages < 1 2 3 4 >
Post a Comment