Reading the Bible… Our Story Too!

from Google Images

I found another study from a homosexual perspective. This one is called: Our Story Too…Reading the Bible with “New Eyes” and was composed by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson. It comes in three parts. I will not be addressing the first part to a great extant, because it doesn’t use the Bible to support its case, but I will address parts 2 and 3 in separate studies. Once more, I try to stay under 1000 words,[1] so I will address the most important claims made by Rev. Wilson, but I may not be able to address her every remark, with which I may not agree. Rev. Wilson addresses this subject differently than Rev. Eastman did in my previous posting, so I believe her point of view is valuable and should be addressed separately from his.

 

A Homosexual Perspective

from Google Images

It seems fair to me, if I am going to say that homosexuality is a sin and not behavior approved of or encouraged in the Bible, I should at least attempt to address an argument that supports the homosexual perspective, namely, that it is not sinful behavior. I found such an argument entitled: Homosexuality: Not a Sin, Not a Sickness Part II “What The Bible Does and Does Not Say…”, by Rev. Elder Don Eastman. Part I didn’t argue from a Biblical point of view, so I won’t address it. Only Part II engages the Bible for its support. For the sake of space (I try to keep my studies under 1000 words),[1] I won’t be able to address every point of disagreement, but I shall address what I believe to be most important.

 

Homosexuality and the Law of Moses

from Google Images

For some time it seems that homosexuality was considered the worst sin anyone could commit. I know from my own experience, brethren have held out this lifestyle as the chief of sinful behavior. Yet, these same folks seem to wink at adultery and divorce. Many of us have friends, perhaps even family members, who are divorced, once, twice perhaps even three times, but, while we associate with these sinners, we don’t associate with gay people (as a rule; there are exceptions). We befriend folks we know to be adulterers and at times eagerly listen to their bragging / confession about their sexual escapades, but who would want to listen to a gay’s night out? Gay bashing is also forgivable, because, after all, they deserve it—don’t they? God hates gays—doesn’t he (John 3:16). Jesus died for adulterers, murderers, thieves, idolaters, but not gays—right? Do we really get to choose whose sins are the greatest, or who is and who is not forgiven?

 

The Interrogation of Peter

At times we Christians seem to believe that, as one of the apostles, Peter enjoyed an authority unprecedented in Church history. The Roman Catholics even elevate Peter to the position of first pope and Vicar (human deputy or substitute) of Christ on earth. However, in thinking this way, we abandon the natural flow and meaning of what Luke tells us, especially in Acts 11. Peter was actually called on the carpet, so to speak, and interrogated over what he had done concerning Cornelius (Acts 11:1-3). One doesn’t do this to one’s lord or master.