Gay and Evangelical, Seeking Acceptance – New York Times
“Justin Lee believes that the Virgin birth was real, that there is a heaven and a hell, that salvation comes through Christ alone and that he, the 29-year-old son of Southern Baptists, is an evangelical Christian.
Just as he is certain about the tenets of his faith, Mr. Lee also knows he is gay, that he did not choose it and cannot change it.”
So, mere mental assent and emotional affection for God and Jesus means one is a Christian and a conservative Evangelical. Have you ever heard this theology before? The New York Times article is another example of how the debate over the lordship of Christ in salvation has indeed resulted in a redefinition of the gospel.
This group of evangelical homosexuals is also a fascinating display of the mixture of liberal theological approaches to the Bible. I have had a few conversations with some conservative Christians in more liberal denominations, who believe homosexuality is still an unbiblical issue of sin. Yet, they also reject the idea that the the inerrancy of the Scripture has had any effect or relevance in the debate over homosexuality. The NYT article shows differently.
“In fact, both sides look to Scripture. The debate is largely over seven passages in the Bible about same-sex couplings. Mr. Gagnon and other traditionalists say those passages unequivocally condemn same-sex couplings.
Those who advocate acceptance of gay people assert that the passages have to do with acts in the context of idolatry, prostitution or violence. The Bible, they argue, says nothing about homosexuality as it is largely understood today as an enduring orientation, or about committed long-term, same-sex relationships.”
“Those who advocate acceptance of gay people assert that the passages have to do with acts in the context of idolatry, prostitution or violence. The Bible, they argue, says nothing about homosexuality as it is largely understood today as an enduring orientation, or about committed long-term, same-sex relationships.”
The article is another illustration of why our definition of the gospel is imminently important and our acceptance of not only the inerrancy but sufficiency of the Bible is absolutely essential.
