scripture and homosexuality...is our interpretation as homogenized as we think?

I don't know whether fairly regular visitor " franklin ", was trying to bait me in his comment...trying to get me to bite so he could set the hook. But anyways, I swallowed, now he'll have to play me a reel me in.

A few weeks ago on " Resonate ", we had some great conversation around Homosexuality, same sex relationships. Yes, it was heated at times, but all maintained their composure, we listened to each other...it became apparent, it is extremely difficult to draw hard lines in the sand around this topic...it leaks outside the container of our theologies.

Most of our conversation, came out of this post Bill Millar had written a while back. Bill and I seem to be standing in the same corner of the playing field this topic...here's how Bill starts of his post...

Several months ago when there was a bit of a stir related to a post of mine on 'Jesus and the family', I ended up in a few email conversations with folk who were interested in exploring the connection between the Bible, faith, sexual orientation and familly. Many others who have done a much deeper analysis than this – but here’s my take, for what it's worth.

There’s a lot of wrong assumptions around.  One is that the Bible has a lot to say about homosexuality – it doesn’t. The second is that it clearly indicates homosexual behaviour is sinful.  It doesn’t.  But let’s take a look at it. 

Folks who believe homosexuality is inherently sinful quote both OT and NT support for their view. 

Read Bill's complete post... (here)...and also (this), a continuation on Bill's intial post.

Comments

[franklin]

no baiting here friend...you pointing me to Bill's article was GREAT. I'm really struggling through this one. I need more TIME to think, pray, study...write...about this topic...but alas, planting a church...not to mention raising 5 kids...doesn't often allow me the time to do this;). I'll follow along on this one as best I can.

Thanks again for pointing me to Bill's article.

[ron]

franklin, you've got a full plate my friend...5 kids, you've already got a small church in the making. But your absolutely right..." more TIME to think, pray, study...write...about this topic."
Your in my prayers, may the Spirit guide,and reveal eternal wisdom...to a place where you find His peace...and rest from your struggle. Peace...Ron+

[Katie]

Hello. I stumbled upon your post in doing a google search on the emerging church and homosexuality.... Because I am not a regular visitor to this site, I am hesitant to comment, feeling as though my voice has less of a right to be heard and respected. Yet I am part of the body of Christ and am part of the emerging church.

I am also a lesbian. A lesbian who took 23 years to embrace her sexual identity, largely because of the effects of the evangelical church. I am a woman who has heard Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1, and 1 Corinthians 6 costantly. I am a Christian who has been shunned by friends and kicked out of churches, even when I was single.

While many in the emerging church would not have the same approach that more old school evangelicals would have, I have often found it more difficult. Silence is worse. I would rather know someone hated me than not know what they thought. I am ok with people who disagree with me on "the issue", but recognize that this is not just "an issue" for me... it is a part of who I am. I feel like sometimes the emerging church avoids this issue because it is 'controversial' or perhaps unimportant.

Its often not important to people who daily see depictions of their heterosexual relationships in others and in the media. It is not important to those who can talk to their friends about their relationship blessings or struggles. It becomes more important when it is you who can not get married, when it is you who wants guidance and advice on how to have a godly same-sex relationship.

I guess I want to thank you for having this conversation and encourage you to continue in it. Continue to explore. Find articles and books that share different perspectives. Get to know someone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender! Anywhere from 2-10% of the community is LGBT and many of us are religious people and are seeking communities to grow in our faith. May the emergent church be one to help us do that!

I apologize for rambling and would love to hear more of what y'all think/ any questions you may have.

May the truth set us free. :)