This blog is written and moderated by the director / founder of Bridging The Gaps Ministries, The Reverend Charlene E. Hios. One of its purposes is to discuss issues which have been not only on Charlene's heart but also on the hearts of many.
This blog is written and moderated by the director / founder of Bridging The Gaps Ministries, The Reverend Charlene E. Hios. One of its purposes is to discuss issues which have been not only on Charlene's heart but also on the hearts of many.
3 comments:
My stance on this question is that the church is scared of homosexuals. In a legalistic view the church oftens prejudges a person based on outward appearance and rarely chooses to "know" that person as an individual. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is rarely called upon to intervene in these relationships leaving the homosexual to fend for themselves spiritually. I believe
God calls us to love people where they are. No matter who they are and what they are and how they are, I believe homosexuals are people who want to know God, to please God and be found by God just as any other person desires. God loves me and he wants me to be right with Him. His Word does condemn homsexuailty, it does. There is no doubt about it. However, it condemns many more sins such as lying, gossiping, adultry, lust, idols, and many more sins. What is Sin - a high standard expected by God and missed. We are called through the Bible to Believe what God has done through Jesus' death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead. From there we are to believe that He has put His Spirit inside of us to guide us. I don't need humans to guide me. I only need the Spirit of the Living God to do that. His Word will not be compromised, His Church will not be compromised when I lean upon His Spirit to guide me. This life I live is His. His Spirit will result in actions of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self control. If we do not exhibit these attribures, we are not walking in step with His Spirit and not useful in His Kingdom. The church has a lot to learn about not living in the LAW and living in the SPIRIT of the Living God. May God continue to work on our hearts until they are soft to all those who need Him. Tessie Williams
I think this is a very small question on a very large subject. Homosexuality is the current taget of many Christian groups, but there have been many other groups that have been under attack throughout the ages. It's almost as if Christians will pick a target which threatens their way of thinking and living. We saw it in the Inquisistion when the church hunted, tortured, and murdered millions of people who didn't see the same way they did. The church even comissioned a book, The Witches Hammer, that taught church leaders how to find and torture people of different belief systems, mainly women who they though were witches. Even in more modern times we see Southern Baptists boycotting Disney because of the support they have shown for the homosexual community. I had the opportunity to go to Disneyland on "gay day" a few years ago and I was shocked to hear the words of hatred that were coming from the mouths of these so called Christains, men, women, and even children. I think the focus should not be just on the hate that is expressed to the homosexual community, but rather the detriment that the church has been to humanity as a whole. That sounds a little harsh, but I think there is some truth to that. Why are these vehicles of hatred not being held accountable by their fellow followers in christ. I think that is the key. Christians will never affectively reach the homosexual community until they realize the own falacies that exist in their own communities. I think the church as a whole has some major rethinking to do in how they approach the people around them. Unity is key and will be a necessity in reaching the world for christ affectively. Thanks for your blogs Chalene, it has really challenged me in so many ways! I have lots to say on this and could type for hours and would love to have some discussions with whoever is interested. Thanks Charlene!
The church may have sinned against gay people by being rejecting. This has undoubtedly happened whether due to homophobia, ignorance, and a general disregard of Jesus' commands to bring the message of the cross to all people.
But my suspicion is that many Christians, and I think these would be the majority today, simply have a different point of view than most gay activists, Christian or not.
There is a compelling need to have our behavior approved and anyone who makes us feel uncomfortable will not be welcome. I am a Christian who desires very much to reach out to gay people because all of us need to be rescued from our sins. When I preach to those who embrace whatever sin--name a few--these will be uncomfortable. I was very much upset when Christians thought my acceptance of UFOs, Edgar Cayce, and so on was error. It make me mad, but on further review, I began to change my opinion. And this was only in the area of views and opinions, not having to do with life style especially sexual orientation. When sexual self-identity is challenged--well this is when the trouble starts. It is far easier to attack and condemn, and that with a broad brush stroke, than consider and evaluate.
The church will sin against homosexuals if it does bring the loving and forgiving message of Jesus to homosexuals. If preachers would cease preaching when convicted sinners rail at them, then all true Gospel preaching would stop. No Charlene, despite it all, I encourage your work and that of all those who are called to preach the message of a loving God, a holy and loving God I might add who will not embrace sin, to people struggling with homosexuality.
Kent Philpott
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