I read on the web that the Church of England (Anglican) and the Episcopal Church continue their internal warfare over the issue of gay clergy. Of course, had their respective theologians bothered to actually read their Bibles they never would have found themselves in this situation!
No this is not another of those postings I see all of the time, where if you are gay, I am going to tell you, "you are going to hell and let me help you get there" routines.
Rather, it is time for Christians to grow up and understand that homosexuality is a sexual sin - no different than adultery, etc. And yet, so many Christians are willing to condemn the homosexual and accept a "repentant" er, randy pastor. There is no difference here folks - sexual sin is sexual sin before God. And oh, God forgives sin - if those involved are willing to repent and change their lives.
To those in the clergy whom are involved in sexual sin of any kind - you do not belong in a position where you represent God to a world lost in sin already! I do not care if you are "straight" or "gay" - if you can not keep your zipper up - get out of the ministry - and stay out! Ask me how I really feel sometime...
"Straight" or "Gay", the lost world needs to learn the forgiveness of their sin and be empowered to overcome their temptations. It can be done - my Bible tells me this has been true for a few thousand years. This is not to say we do not fail - but it does mean we can change the direction of our lives and work to overcome our base natures.
So had these denominations bothered to read Timothy or Peter and bothered to apply the requirements for the office to those whom would seek to represent God - there would be no gay pastors nor randy pastors present to make these problems for them. But they have caved into culture and the pressures of special interests groups - perhaps to reach them initially - now to be destroyed by them in the world's eyes. Good job! I am sure you will will be aptly rewarded later in your existence for that one.....
And to the argumentative Christian -
Yes, Romans 1 does tell us that due to the hardness of our hearts, God has given us over to the lusts of our flesh to the destruction of our bodies. And so.....?
A "Christian", pastor or not, whom is sleeping his way through the church (of either bent) is fitting right into Romans 1. So, what are you going to do about it? That person's spiritual needs need to be addressed and if they are not willing to change their direction - they need to be disfellowshipped. Keep it Biblical, keep it loving, keep reaching out ...
I sin, you sin, we all sin, and God forgives us continually - but God has a higher qualification for those whom would lead others in the faith - otherwise, Timothy and Peter would both read somewhat differently...
No this is not another of those postings I see all of the time, where if you are gay, I am going to tell you, "you are going to hell and let me help you get there" routines.
Rather, it is time for Christians to grow up and understand that homosexuality is a sexual sin - no different than adultery, etc. And yet, so many Christians are willing to condemn the homosexual and accept a "repentant" er, randy pastor. There is no difference here folks - sexual sin is sexual sin before God. And oh, God forgives sin - if those involved are willing to repent and change their lives.
To those in the clergy whom are involved in sexual sin of any kind - you do not belong in a position where you represent God to a world lost in sin already! I do not care if you are "straight" or "gay" - if you can not keep your zipper up - get out of the ministry - and stay out! Ask me how I really feel sometime...
"Straight" or "Gay", the lost world needs to learn the forgiveness of their sin and be empowered to overcome their temptations. It can be done - my Bible tells me this has been true for a few thousand years. This is not to say we do not fail - but it does mean we can change the direction of our lives and work to overcome our base natures.
So had these denominations bothered to read Timothy or Peter and bothered to apply the requirements for the office to those whom would seek to represent God - there would be no gay pastors nor randy pastors present to make these problems for them. But they have caved into culture and the pressures of special interests groups - perhaps to reach them initially - now to be destroyed by them in the world's eyes. Good job! I am sure you will will be aptly rewarded later in your existence for that one.....
And to the argumentative Christian -
Yes, Romans 1 does tell us that due to the hardness of our hearts, God has given us over to the lusts of our flesh to the destruction of our bodies. And so.....?
A "Christian", pastor or not, whom is sleeping his way through the church (of either bent) is fitting right into Romans 1. So, what are you going to do about it? That person's spiritual needs need to be addressed and if they are not willing to change their direction - they need to be disfellowshipped. Keep it Biblical, keep it loving, keep reaching out ...
I sin, you sin, we all sin, and God forgives us continually - but God has a higher qualification for those whom would lead others in the faith - otherwise, Timothy and Peter would both read somewhat differently...
