Leadership Blog: Out of Ur: Brian McLaren on the Homosexual Question: Finding a Pastoral Response
Leadership Blog: Out of Ur: Brian McLaren on the Homosexual Question: Finding a Pastoral Response: "Brian McLaren on the Homosexual Question: Finding a Pastoral Response"
Brian McLaren has written an article for Leadership Journal on how we should be more pastoral in our response to homosexuality. One of the things he says "Perhaps we need a five-year moratorium on making pronouncements." I find the article to be left of my own position. He is trying to meet people where they are, however, his position would miscommunication, as much as it communicates. The main thing that I think it would miscommunication is his proposal for a moratorium on debate of the issue. While he would be wanting to show good faith of open discussion, I'm sure the pro-gay agenda would not do the same. The use of humor in both private conversation and TV has changed the way most Americans view homosexuality. My guess is that most Americans who watch TV are now comfortable with it at a certain level. I would also guess that the actor Chad Allen who plays both Nate Saint and his son in The End of the Spear took the part in order to make the evangelical comfortable with homosexuality. And he probably will open some doors for what I'm guessing his agenda is. Again my guess is that his assumption is that the idea that Christians are uncomfortable with homosexuality because of fear and prejudice. (Of course he could just be needing to work, and this was a job. I've met pastors who seemed to take that position when filling the pulpit.) My assumption is that most evangelical Christians are like myself. We know relatives and friends who are gay. Some openly struggle with it and ask for prayer for victory. Some hide it, sometimes giving clues as to their disposition, sometimes not. Then there are people who are openly gay. My guess is that most evangelical are like me, in that they treat these people as people first. The homosexual issue does not make them less of a person. But then when we look at morals and ethics we believe sexual behavior has moral practices and immoral practices. The scriptures teach that adultery is wrong. Viewing pornography is wrong. This is basic to Christian ethics. I think most people who do not follow Christianity would agree that some things just should not be done. I would guess we would get 99% agreement that an adult having sex with a minor is not only a crime, but immoral. So when we know of our friends and relatives who struggle with the issue homosexuality, we believe that behavior is immoral. Then again hate for or violence against those who practice this behavior is also immoral. I know I do not speak for everyone in the evangelical community. But my guess is there is a lot evangelical who feel the same way.
Brian McLaren has good and genuine concerns about people in his flock, but he gives much more credence to the idea that there could be a legitimate biblical position which says homosexual behavior is moral. I have to say that I disagree with his position. Further than that, to stop talking about the issue will not clarify the issue. I'm sure those who believe the homosexual behavior is a moral behavior will not slow down on their promotion of it in the media.
One other point, it is my intention to see the movie The End of the Spear. I hope Christians take their friends and relatives to go see it.
Brian McLaren has written an article for Leadership Journal on how we should be more pastoral in our response to homosexuality. One of the things he says "Perhaps we need a five-year moratorium on making pronouncements." I find the article to be left of my own position. He is trying to meet people where they are, however, his position would miscommunication, as much as it communicates. The main thing that I think it would miscommunication is his proposal for a moratorium on debate of the issue. While he would be wanting to show good faith of open discussion, I'm sure the pro-gay agenda would not do the same. The use of humor in both private conversation and TV has changed the way most Americans view homosexuality. My guess is that most Americans who watch TV are now comfortable with it at a certain level. I would also guess that the actor Chad Allen who plays both Nate Saint and his son in The End of the Spear took the part in order to make the evangelical comfortable with homosexuality. And he probably will open some doors for what I'm guessing his agenda is. Again my guess is that his assumption is that the idea that Christians are uncomfortable with homosexuality because of fear and prejudice. (Of course he could just be needing to work, and this was a job. I've met pastors who seemed to take that position when filling the pulpit.) My assumption is that most evangelical Christians are like myself. We know relatives and friends who are gay. Some openly struggle with it and ask for prayer for victory. Some hide it, sometimes giving clues as to their disposition, sometimes not. Then there are people who are openly gay. My guess is that most evangelical are like me, in that they treat these people as people first. The homosexual issue does not make them less of a person. But then when we look at morals and ethics we believe sexual behavior has moral practices and immoral practices. The scriptures teach that adultery is wrong. Viewing pornography is wrong. This is basic to Christian ethics. I think most people who do not follow Christianity would agree that some things just should not be done. I would guess we would get 99% agreement that an adult having sex with a minor is not only a crime, but immoral. So when we know of our friends and relatives who struggle with the issue homosexuality, we believe that behavior is immoral. Then again hate for or violence against those who practice this behavior is also immoral. I know I do not speak for everyone in the evangelical community. But my guess is there is a lot evangelical who feel the same way.
Brian McLaren has good and genuine concerns about people in his flock, but he gives much more credence to the idea that there could be a legitimate biblical position which says homosexual behavior is moral. I have to say that I disagree with his position. Further than that, to stop talking about the issue will not clarify the issue. I'm sure those who believe the homosexual behavior is a moral behavior will not slow down on their promotion of it in the media.
One other point, it is my intention to see the movie The End of the Spear. I hope Christians take their friends and relatives to go see it.
Comments
Check Focus on the Family's "Plugged In" website for a factual review and cautions.
Your position is gracefully and thoughtfully stated -- well said!