The following is a fantastic exchange between Rob Bell and Andrew Wilson regarding homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Notice the argumentation on both sides. Pay particular attention to the base of authority in which morals or standards are being derived from (also known as the level to which someone adheres to the “Lordship of Jesus Christ”) and the weight given to the feelings of people and how that weight sways the argumentation/evidence/logic/commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Fascinating to see a desire to deal with our culture and the feelings of people in light of the truth of Scripture in one way (Andrew’s side) and to see the way Biblical truth is compromised by an emotionally based approach, an approach that has beguiled a former pastors thinking (Rob’s side).
About Dan Miller
Pastor Dan was part of the core group that started Grace Fellowship in 2003. Pastor Dan is our primary teaching pastor, leads the staff, and oversees the vision and strategy for our disciplemaking philosophy of ministry. Dan married Vicki in 1993. Together, they enjoy their seven children – Benjamin (married to Courtney), David, Alexa, Zachary (married to Ginna), Nathan, Ana, and Autumn, along with one grandchild - Lucy.
Homosexuality is an aberation of the relationship between the sexes,
brought about by The Fall with its resultant corruption of the human soul
(mind, will and intellect), body and spirit.
For man to lie with man and woman with woman is not what God intended
for the sexes. Human physiology clearly demonstrates that the male sexual apparatus
is designed to complement the female sexual apparatus. Not only do “the parts fit”,
but they do so with the capability of bringing forth new life. Carnal, homosexual relations
are not natural to the human design; neither can they result in the conception of new life. Therefore, homosexuality must be considered a perversion of the original concept God intended for life relationships.
Having stated the obvious, homosexuality is not the unpardonable sin. There are many
who have fallen victim to the allurement of homosexual liaisons but who have been
graciously enabled by the power of God to find deliverance from those egregious
practices through the new birth given through saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Christians must exhort homosexuals to repent of their lifestyle but they must not do so
with the view that homosexuality is the worst of the “pardonable” sins. There are six sins, yea there are seven deadly sins that God hates (enumerated in the Book of Proverbs). The
Church of Jesus Christ is directed to reprove all sin (cf. Eph. 5:11) — not just the ones we find the most distasteful. The homosexual lifestyle is certainly not to be respected. As with other sinful practices, its adherents need to be warned of the wrath that will befall those who reject Jesus Christ. That means a willingness of the Church to point the way to life eternal by sharing the gospel with the homosexual community.
It is well known that homosexuals represent some of the most antagonistic opponents to biblical Christianity. Yet that does not give us any excuse to ignore them. We are to be Christ-minded in communicating the truth to homosexuals. If they despise that truth then we are directed to “… shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” But we cannot assume that homosexuals can never be moved by God into an attitude of repentance and belief in the gospel. God saves whom He will. Our responsibility is to preach/teach the Good News and leave the matter of fruitful increase to Him.