Dangerous Affirmation (eBook)

INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS “GAY CHRISTIANITY”?

In October of 1968, a group of people met for worship in a living room in the Huntington Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The group was small—twelve people in total—led by a dynamic young preacher named Troy Perry. A former Pentecostal preacher from north Florida who had recently come out of the closet as a homosexual, Perry was nervous about the gathering, but he was emboldened by an epiphany that he believed came from God: a vision to create an affirming church for the gay community.

Out of this meeting, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) was born—the first Protestant denomination to openly affirm and celebrate homosexuality and to actively work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) social causes worldwide. Today, Metropolitan Community Church continues to present its vision of theological liberalism and progressive LGBT activism in communities across the country. But the most influential legacy of Troy Perry is not in himself or MCC churches but in kindling a broader movement to affirm homosexuality within the Christian church. This movement is what we know as “gay Christianity.”

Throughout two thousand years of church history, Christians have understood—and Christian churches have taught—that homosexuality is a sin. It is “against nature” (Romans 1:26–27). It is an “abomination” (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). It can be described as “vile affections” or “dishonorable passions” (Romans 1:26). It is not God’s design for marriage or family (Genesis 2:18–25). It is something that God does not bless, nor can He because it is defiantly against His revealed will (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). And because it is against God’s will and design, to embrace and celebrate homosexuality is to evoke God’s judgment—as an individual, church, or nation (Genesis 19:1–29). Since Christianity first took root in the West, the Bible’s teaching against homosexuality has defined public policy and social attitudes in Europe and America.

But things have changed.

Since the 1960s, a growing number of professing Christians have been arguing against the biblical facts. It has been said that the Bible’s teaching of love should be celebrated while the Bible’s sexual ethics should be rethought or rejected. It has been said that orthodox theology is oppressive and harmful while affirming theology is life-giving and beautiful. It has been said that a person who identifies as a “gay Christian” is simply part of God’s plan for a diverse church. It has been said that being gay is innate and immutable and that anyone who claims that a gay person can change is a liar. It has been said that in order to truly love our neighbors, Christians must fight for LGBT causes in the political arena. These are all expressions of “gay Christianity.”

Fundamentally, gay Christianity is the attempt to reconcile the Christian faith with homosexuality. I use “gay Christianity” as a label for this general movement, although I recognize that there are differing streams of thinking within it. Sometimes these differing streams have competing goals and conflicting theological claims and are not nearly as unified as the general term may imply. I will discuss many of these differences in the subsequent chapters. However, one purpose of this book is to see the points of both similarity and difference while also observing the common thrust of the movement as a whole.

What do I mean by saying “gay Christianity” is the attempt to reconcile the Christian faith with homosexuality? The Christian faith is the body of beliefs, practices, and values—rooted in the Bible—that have defined the teaching, worship, and ministry of the Christian church throughout her existence. As briefly mentioned above, the Christian view of homosexuality has been clearly understood until recent years.

Homosexuality is likewise a broad term—including notions of desire, attraction, sexual behavior, relationships, identity, language, community, and culture. One aspect of the gay debate within the church is the ever-broadening definition of homosexuality within Western culture. As homosexuality is lived out by people and embraced by society, the particular meanings that may be ascribed to the concept of homosexuality change. Even the words used to describe homosexuality change over time—such as the emergence of the word gay as the preferred term for identifying as a homosexual.

The last element of this definition of “gay Christianity” is the word reconcile. Reconcile means to bring into harmony, to settle a conflict, or to make two things consistent that were at one time inconsistent. If the Christian faith and homosexuality are seen as being at odds, then “gay Christianity” is the attempt to find some level of compatibility between them. It assumes that these two ideas are not fundamentally opposed but have points of common agreement.

This book is intended to serve as an introduction, rebuttal, and warning. It was written to help the average person in the pew to understand what is being argued by major “gay Christian” thinkers and to respond to it biblically. Although the Bible is our primary focus, we will not shy away from discussing controversial topics like homophobia, LGBT suicide rates, conversion therapy laws, and the rise of “gay celibate Christianity.” Truth demands proper application to every aspect of our life and society.

There are five central ways in which “gay Christianity” is impacting the Christian church: the rethinking of theology (chapter 1), the rethinking of the Bible (chapter 2), the rethinking of the church (chapter 3), the rethinking of identity (chapter 4), and the rise of LGBT activists within the church (chapter 5). Each chapter includes a careful explanation of some facet of that problem, illustrations of how these things have been seen, and guidance for understanding these issues in light of scripture. A list of recommended resources that may help further inquiry is included at the end.

As we navigate these treacherous waters, we must be careful and discerning. Like other forms of LGBT activism, “gay Christianity” is a complex and constantly shifting concern. It is restless and relentless. Terms change, emphases shift, and subtle challenges are brought in. It can, at times, sound quite agreeable—as if the only ones truly concerned about Christian love and church unity are those who support “gay Christianity.” But we must look deeper than the surface claims of inclusion and justice to understand whether these statements are truly biblical.

Whether you realize it or not, these topics are shaping pastors, church leaders, seminary professors, and ministry heads. Through social media, many ideas from “gay Christianity” are finding their way into the mainstream. They are being used to challenge common people in conservative churches, to chastise them for their traditional values, and to force them either to rethink their beliefs or to remain silent. You may find that some of these ideas have slipped unnoticed into your church or denomination. You may also find unexpected ways that your own thinking has been subtly influenced by arguments from “gay Christian” activists.

For those concerned about honoring God with your lives, I hope and pray that this book stirs you to think about the threat “gay Christianity” poses to the church and the world. I hope it renews your thinking because it presents the Word of God clearly and applies the truth accurately. That is my goal.

A Caution before Reading

But he [Jesus] answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4

If you find yourself dismissive of the scriptural claims put forward in this book, I ask you to honestly consider why. Have you embraced worldly thinking that keeps you from taking God at His word? Do you have unconfessed sexual sin that makes you feel like a hypocrite for speaking against homosexuality? Are you embarrassed by the claims of the Bible because of how it makes you look to nonbelievers? Do you crave the praise of worldly friends? Are you trying to find a way to make homosexuality acceptable because of someone you care about?

“Gay Christianity” puts forth many arguments, but the main reason people capitulate, compromise, rethink, and turn away from biblical teaching on these issues is that the cost of following Christ is simply too high. They think there must be an easier way, a more loving way, a more just way. “Gay Christianity” claims to offer a way to do all of that without jettisoning Jesus at all. They forget that the same Jesus who said we should love our neighbor (Mark 12:28–30) also said that the gate that leads to life is narrow and few are those who find it (Matthew 7:13–14). They forget that Jesus defined love toward Him this way: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” ( John 14:21).

Christian: Let’s renew our confidence in God. His Word is true. We have no reason to doubt it or adjust it. As we look into these controversial topics and the ways they have infiltrated or impacted Christian thinking, we need not cower in fear. No one feels sufficient for the task of bearing witness and speaking boldly—but God has promised to give us what we need if we will walk forward in faith. As you read, I hope you will have the boldness to stand...