Categories: uncategorized
Date: 12 November 2006 20:35:46
These were Sir Elton John's words in a special gay edition of the Observer Monthly Magazine. He's sees all religions as having a very anti-gay bias to them and preach hateful images of gay people.
Personally I've yet to hear a sermon on this from any preacher. Anyone I have heard has offered compassion to gay people. Yes, there are people in certain areas of the world, whether Jewish, Christian or Islamic, who openly state that homsexuality is a sin. This viewpoint this is biblically stated in both Leviticus and Romans. However I do not believe that God would turn anyone away. Everyone has the opportunity to receive the salvation He provided through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.
Then again upon becoming a follower of Christ you are required to abstain from sinful acts. If homosexuality is an afront to God then is compatible to be a Christian and gay?
I can't provide a definitive answer to this. I cannot tell what is in the heart of God or man. This is also a problem that has caused difficulties throughout the Anglican congregation and caused division and consternation.
No one has the right to turn away anyone who wants to hear the word of God. We cannot make judgements of whether another person is, or isn't, worthy of redemption. We are too unworthy to deny anyone access to grace. There are certain times where we have to leave people to make their own reconciliation with God. He will open their eyes to whatever He deems to be correct.
In addition we do not have the authority to countermand portions of scripture that we do not accept. Yes, times do change. Yes, attitudes change. What was wrong in the 1st century AD or earlier may not be today. Especially attitudes towards slavery or a woman's place in the church.
However there are always some absolutes in life that can never be changed. Murder, adultery, theft etc have always been wrong - and should always remain so.
Yet if we decide to accept some teachings and not others, or interpret them to fit our own values, can this really be accptable.
Ok, Jesus never personally said that homosexuality was an afront to God. Jesus did say that not all Old Testament laws were to rule our relationship with God. Some people put the letter of the law between them and God and that I believe is where Jesus objected to the old order.
He did not say that all the old values were wrong, only the way they were applied. It was not the law that saved you but His sacrifice and redemption. As I said before, we have no authority to judge others. We can only point out what scripture says. We should then leave it to God to speak to them about His grace and meaning.
There are more important things for us to do in the world than generate distrust and hatred. We need to show compassion no matter what we may think.