In my neck of the woods, there is a fifth type... by the name of Phred Phelps. That dude is whacked, and he is *not* on the side of God. He and his followers petition with signs that say "God Hates Fags" and is teaching the doctrine of Hate. While I agree that we must preach the truth of the word of God, I also believe that our role is to love one another. Love the sinner, but not the sin... isnt that the phrase? Either way, hate in the name of religion, or of God is a load of crap.
I completely agree that homosexuality is a sin, and that it is really the product of wounding not "nature"... but I do NOT feel that homosexuals are in any way lesser or unworthy of God's love. In fact, I believe that only through *God's LOVE* will they ever find the way to life, and life to the fullest like Jesus promises. That promise is for them too, Jesus died for them too... We CANNOT forget that.
Thanks for the post, it was very interesting... the photo about made me sick but I am still trying to absorb the actual data
James McLean
· 1 year ago
hmmmnn categories are always fun right?
so basically they are encouraging people to get political about helping homosexuals discover how Christians operate? i'm not sure that enacting laws will really do a lot. don't get me wrong i love the Bible and stand on it and i love homosexuals because Jesus died for them. i think there may be a better way that doesn't involve a vote.
i thought it was interesting how he described those who preserved the gospel as being counter cultural and he was right THEY were. i'm not so sure i can say the same about today's Christian leaders, i think a better word would be sub cultural.
I'm with Scott on this one. I can't believe the email left off the category 5 "wacky, sinful, homophobic, bigot" pastors who sow seeds of hate. They need to read the "but do this with Gentleness and Respect" part of 1 Pet. 3:15
Jesus came full of grace and truth. Don't skimp on the truth - but don't skimp on the grace either.
Hmmm. Interesting I guess. Not sure what category he wants to box me into. What about those of us who have no problem fighting for and standing for biblical truth, but aren't convinced yet that legislating my beliefs onto others through a ballot is the way to do that.
A bit different that Peter and John in Acts if you ask me. I still just struggle with the fact that it really is a legal issue the way I see it more than a spiritual issue. As of now, no authorities will come knock down our doors cause we refuse to marry homosexuals in our church. That would be a different story.
Click on my name here for an interesting discussion on the issue over at my blog.
Marriage is a promise and commitment before the Lord - not a government or state certification. I think we should stop expecting non-believers to act like believers. We're only called to judge those WITHIN the church. My only concern is preserving the church's right to free speech. I do believe the day is coming when we'll have to choose between having freedom of speech in the pulpit OR having our tax-exempt status. That's when we're going to have to make some tough decisions...
brent(inWorship)
· 1 year ago
Personally I have a real hard time with categories. People aren't that simple. Experiences and lives are different.
Jeff has brought up a really important aspect of this whole "marriage" discussion. Marriage is a Godly instituted agreement. What the state has done with it has nothing to do with what God intends it to be. the state cannot take away or change the covenant of marriage that God has instituted. No matter what they decide to do with it.
wow interesting....... as a believer If we stay focused on the 2 most important things 1. love god and 2. love others - everything else falls into place.
mandy
· 1 year ago
wow. what an article... but, i also agree that there's the 5th type of pastor. and, honestly, i don't have a clue what to do with them.
Jeff
· 1 year ago
I love the comment that states:
"Marriage is a Godly instituted agreement. What the state has done with it has nothing to do with what God intends it to be. the state cannot take away or change the covenant of marriage that God has instituted. No matter what they decide to do with it."
Well this has been and continues to be a great subject of discussion, especially within the church. Here's some of my favorite comments:
"i’m not sure that enacting laws will really do a lot."
"What about those of us who have no problem fighting for and standing for biblical truth, but aren’t convinced yet that legislating my beliefs onto others through a ballot is the way to do that."
"Marriage is a promise and commitment before the Lord - not a government or state certification."
"the state cannot take away or change the covenant of marriage that God has instituted."
So you can kind of get an idea of where I am with this issue right now. What kind of gets me going is how this issue will get pastors outside the walls of their churches - to protest against state legistlation, to basically burden lost and hurting people with laws that they are not able to live up to.* Yet there are millions of starving children, homeless children, families losing their homes in their cities, marriages falling apart, people addicted to all sorts of things, etc. And yet pastors don't want to lift a finger for those issues but will jump at the chance to make homosexual marriage illegal. I'm not much better, and it sickens me. God help us.
*I believe that as a person enters into a relationship with God, and grows closer and closer to him, he or she begins to understand God's design for life, and begins to understand what obedience is all about.
heather
· 1 year ago
Alex I am standing up clapping!!!
James McLean
· 1 year ago
alex, exactly! this is what i meant about my comment about him thinking they were being counter cultural by voting to enforce Christian standards on people who don't know Christ. this is not counter cultural it is taking the christian sub culture and trying to demand that others live up to it (which often times does not even have biblical standards). this is not how people come to love the truth of Christ, they must see it in us being with them, loving them and showing them that Jesus changes lives. woo hoo! i love life this way!
All Comments
I completely agree that homosexuality is a sin, and that it is really the product of wounding not "nature"... but I do NOT feel that homosexuals are in any way lesser or unworthy of God's love. In fact, I believe that only through *God's LOVE* will they ever find the way to life, and life to the fullest like Jesus promises. That promise is for them too, Jesus died for them too... We CANNOT forget that.
ScottMochas last blog post..It's hard to convey
so basically they are encouraging people to get political about helping homosexuals discover how Christians operate? i'm not sure that enacting laws will really do a lot. don't get me wrong i love the Bible and stand on it and i love homosexuals because Jesus died for them. i think there may be a better way that doesn't involve a vote.
i thought it was interesting how he described those who preserved the gospel as being counter cultural and he was right THEY were. i'm not so sure i can say the same about today's Christian leaders, i think a better word would be sub cultural.
James McLeans last blog post..I don’t really know what I’m doing
Jesus came full of grace and truth. Don't skimp on the truth - but don't skimp on the grace either.
Billy Chias last blog post..Transparency on a Wednesday
A bit different that Peter and John in Acts if you ask me. I still just struggle with the fact that it really is a legal issue the way I see it more than a spiritual issue. As of now, no authorities will come knock down our doors cause we refuse to marry homosexuals in our church. That would be a different story.
Click on my name here for an interesting discussion on the issue over at my blog.
bobbys last blog post..Giants Game
Jeff has brought up a really important aspect of this whole "marriage" discussion. Marriage is a Godly instituted agreement. What the state has done with it has nothing to do with what God intends it to be. the state cannot take away or change the covenant of marriage that God has instituted. No matter what they decide to do with it.
brent(inWorship)s last blog post..EXCLUSIVE! Breaking News!
Good stuff.
erics last blog post..Guest Blogger
what an article... but, i also agree that there's the 5th type of pastor. and, honestly, i don't have a clue what to do with them.
"Marriage is a Godly instituted agreement. What the state has done with it has nothing to do with what God intends it to be. the state cannot take away or change the covenant of marriage that God has instituted. No matter what they decide to do with it."
I never thought of it like that. Very cool.
Jeffs last blog post..God's wrath and the mysterious Babylon: Part 3
"i’m not sure that enacting laws will really do a lot."
"What about those of us who have no problem fighting for and standing for biblical truth, but aren’t convinced yet that legislating my beliefs onto others through a ballot is the way to do that."
"Marriage is a promise and commitment before the Lord - not a government or state certification."
"the state cannot take away or change the covenant of marriage that God has instituted."
So you can kind of get an idea of where I am with this issue right now. What kind of gets me going is how this issue will get pastors outside the walls of their churches - to protest against state legistlation, to basically burden lost and hurting people with laws that they are not able to live up to.* Yet there are millions of starving children, homeless children, families losing their homes in their cities, marriages falling apart, people addicted to all sorts of things, etc. And yet pastors don't want to lift a finger for those issues but will jump at the chance to make homosexual marriage illegal. I'm not much better, and it sickens me. God help us.
*I believe that as a person enters into a relationship with God, and grows closer and closer to him, he or she begins to understand God's design for life, and begins to understand what obedience is all about.
James McLeans last blog post..I don’t really know what I’m doing
Peters last blog post..Bands I like!