Newsweek, Gay Marriage, and Scripture

In a Newsweek article Lisa Miller wrote:

Opponents of gay marriage often cite Scripture. But what the Bible teaches about love argues for the other side.

Dr. Robert Gagnon has a detailed response.

His starting thought:

There is not the slightest effort on Miller’s part to think critically about her own line or reasoning. 

Tolerance Anyone?

No one slept through this service.

"We will alert churches statewide of this now close-to-home threat of disruption of their members' freedom to worship in peace and safety," Glenn said, "but this is not the first time in history Christians have faced persecution or threats of reprisal for standing for their faith and values."

Prop 8 Ramifications

How it could affect our kids (protectmarriage.com):

Voters may differ about how they feel about gay marriage, but there is no disputing that the organizations funding and leading the No on Proposition 8 campaign have already revealed, in their own words, their desire to impose this subject on children in the public schools – ‘whether you like it or not.’

The Debate on Gay Marriage

Thoughts for your Prop. 8 decision from Al Mohler.

Human society is a complex reality, but certain constants have framed that reality for human beings.  One of those constants has been the institution of marriage.  The respected status of the heterosexual pairing, set apart for exclusive rights and respected for its functions for the society, is among the most important of those constants.

Part 1

Part 2

Update: Part 3

Palin, Feminism, & Hypocrisy

Justin Taylor has chronicled how Sarah Palin has been called a hypocrite for having her son, Trig, and, almost unbelievably, (and this by a professor of history and religious and the University of Chicago) for her

...pretense that she is a woman.

The conclusion: It seems that some of the liberal bent find homosexuality to be biologically determined but womanhood to be a matter of choice.  Now I'm really confused.

Brief Thoughts on Christians Loving Homosexuals...

Or anyone, for that matter.

I felt the need to say it plainly (in order accompany previous posts), and hope to be simple (it's a blog) without being too simplistic.

1. Christians are to love homosexuals.
Lets get this straight: any follower of Jesus is to love everyone, including their neighbor and their enemy who persecutes them. This comes from the top down - commanded by our righteous King. And it isn't to be toleration - it is to be love. Supernatural, gospel-driven love.

2. Christians are to be humble.
I have no righteousness of my own, and neither do you. When talking about sin, I am the first in line. I have sinned grievously against a holy God, and I deserve His endless wrath. Salvation is given freely by grace to the ungodly. Let us never forget that. And may the way we communicate reflect that.

3. Christians are to judge themselves.
I mean this specifically in regards to the church. Consider 1 Corinthians 5.9-13. We are often better at judging the morals of those outside the fellowship while taking it easy on ourselves. It ought to be the other way around.

4. Real love is God-centered and Bible-honoring.
God is what we need. God is what we are made for. God's Word is our authority. Any love that falls short of that truth, motivation, and expression is, in the end, less than love. To humbly warn someone that their sinful desires and behavior will kill them is loving. To tell someone the beautiful, life-changing truth of the gospel is loving. To befriend them and endure with them is loving.

Summary: Faithful Christians will be hated for the truth they live and proclaim. That's good - and Jesus told us that. Christians are often hated for a lack of love and humility. That's bad, and though it might feel like righteousness points, is wicked sin.

Love the Word. Love the Gospel. Love people with Word-Truth and Gospel-Action. I know, I know, easier said than done. Easier blogged than obeyed. But I think it our calling as Christians.

No Creed? Then Chaos

See Al Mohler's thoughts on the events surrounding the first openly homosexual bishop of the Episcopal Church.

"Implications for Christian Sexuality"

Consider Dr. Samuel Hensley's thoughts on theology, science, and homosexuality.