While this short video from Tim Keller doesn’t address every issue relative to the church’s response to homosexuality (how could it?), it does bring to the table a number of important points for reflection and thoughtful discussion.
I particularly appreciated these ideas:
- that homosexuality does not reflect God’s original design for sexuality and therefore does not promote human flourishing (but neither does divorce reflect God’s original design for marriage, but we tolerate that. And, if we create space for one, we must do the same for the other — these are my words, not Tim’s)
- that homosexuality is no more a sin than greed and a host of other vices mentioned in the scriptures
- that some churches intentionally ignore those passages that address homosexuality in order to love their neighbor
- that other churches take seriously those passages that address homosexuality, but do so with a self-righteousness attitude
- that Christ followers are called to ‘love your neighbor’, which not only extends to homosexuals, but those of other faiths and races as well (not to mention the ‘love your enemy’ command)
- that ostracizing homosexuals in any church congregation should not be tolerated
My own two cents worth on this is that we are all in need of redemption, period. We all need to embrace the magnificent grace of God in Christ and allow his grace to transform us into his image. And, one day, when God renews the earth and everyone in it, we will be made new, cleansed from sin and its effects. This is what we share in common- our collective need to be made in Christ’s image. Until then, we strive toward Christ’s perfection and allow his Spirit to guide our journey towards that end.
August 20, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Good interview, although I can’t help thinking he was dodging some of the questions. I think the question of context is an important one and makes me think if, in a literal reading of some of Jesus’ words divorce + remarriage = adultery = condemnation (but we accept these people in most churches today), then homosexual ‘acts’/ same-sex marriage should be seen in the same light by Christians. We are hypocritical in the way we differentiate and I think this is because we do not put the greatest commandments to love God and love our (homosexual) neighbour in the right place.
August 21, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Thanks, Allan. I couldn’t agree more. If we create space for divorce and remarriage, then we need to do the same for homosexuality. We need to find a way through it all, together. Pushing homosexuals to the margins will not help them, and us, find God.
September 5, 2012 at 11:10 am
Or, we find that the space we have created for divorce and remarriage is errant, and that we need to approach both issues differently.
August 21, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I appreciated Keller’s emphasis that practicing homosexuality is not a one way ticket to eternal condemnation anymore than to use his illustration being greedy. There are other considerations that need to be brought in. Is this not the intent of Romans 2.1 which follows Paul’s inclusive sin list in chapter one. “whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.”
I understand this passage not to say Paul is against “judgment” per se. After all he does his fair share throughout his letters. Rather we are never in the position to judge on eternal matters – who gets in and who does not. Because when we do we set the standards by which we too are judged and ultimately bring condemnation upon ourselves.
In other words, homosexuality may not be God’s intent but neither is it an ultimate deal breaker. I concur with Keller, self-rightesouness comes closer to that end.
August 21, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Thanks, Randy. I appreciate your input.
September 27, 2012 at 8:33 pm
I have trouble processing this video talk. I feel that it’s really only scratching a very deep iceburg.
First and foremost… yes… by every means we should treat others the way we would want to be treated… Sin is sin and we have all fallen short… but what about Pauls thoughts? Romans 6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Greed can be broken… a lustful thought or a moment of uncontrollable anger can be changed in someones life… but someone that embraces a lifestyle of sin… how can we even compare?
Any act of sin is rebellion… but to embrace a lifestyle of rebellion…even to our final breath… I don’t understand how we can preach that someone can still go to heaven? Does this not give us a license to do whatever we want and simply believe that Jesus will cover for us? Verse 2 just screams at me as I think about this topic. I just can’t see any 50 shades of gray here. By Christ’s words, Mark 10:7 (Gen.2.24) and Pauls words, Romans 1: 24-25, I can only come to the conclusion that IF you actively walk in a lifestyle of homosexuality… and IF there is no repentance, even to your final breath… then hell will become your eternity…
if this is true then now more than ever we cannot candy coat this subject… We must show love but still stand on a firm, Biblical foundation.