Bethlehem's Position on Homosexuality

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6999 Location: USA

This was produced by Pastor John Piper regarding the Bethlehem congregation's position. I agree with it.

Beliefs about Homosexual Behavior and Ministering to Homosexual Persons

Our affirmation that the Bible is the infallible Word of God with "supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct," and our affirmation that "a Christian should live for the glory of God" include the following six beliefs about heterosexuality and homosexuality:

1. We believe that heterosexuality is God's revealed will for humankind and that, since God is loving, a chaste and faithful expression of this orientation (whether in singleness or in marriage) is the ideal to which God calls all people.

2. We believe that a homosexual orientation is a result of the fall of humanity into a sinful condition that pervades every person. Whatever biological or familial roots of homosexuality may be discovered, we do not believe that these would sanction or excuse homosexual behavior, though they would deepen our compassion and patience for those who are struggling to be free from sexual temptations.

3. We believe there is hope for the person with a homosexual orientation and that Jesus Christ offers a healing alternative in which the power of sin is broken and the person is freed to know and experience his or her true identity in Christ and in the fellowship of his Church.

4. We believe that this freedom is attained through a process which includes recognizing homosexual behavior as sin, renouncing the practice of homosexual behavior, rediscovering healthy, non-erotic friendships with people of the same sex, embracing a moral sexual lifestyle, and in the age to come, rising from the dead with a new body free from every sinful impulse. This process parallels the similar process of sanctification needed in dealing with heterosexual temptations as well. We believe that this freedom comes through faith in Jesus Christ, by the power of his Spirit.

5. We believe that all persons have been created in the image of God and should be accorded human dignity. We believe therefore that hateful, fearful, unconcerned harassment of persons with a homosexual orientation should be repudiated. We believe that respect for persons with a homosexual orientation involves honest, reasoned, nonviolent sharing of facts concerning the immorality and liability of homosexual behavior. On the other hand, endorsing behavior which the Bible disapproves endangers persons and dishonors God.

6. We believe that Christian churches should reach out in love and truth to minister to people touched by homosexuality, and that those who contend Biblically against their own sexual temptation should be patiently assisted in their battle, not ostracized or disdained. However, the more prominent a leadership role or modeling role a person holds in a church or institution of the Conference, the higher will be the expectations for God's ideal of sexual obedience and wholeness. We affirm that both heterosexual and homosexual persons should find help in the church to engage in the Biblical battle against all improper sexual thoughts and behaviors.

Pastor John

By John Piper. ©Desiring God.
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FFT · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:16 pm Post subject:

I heartily agree, at least with #5. Except the end bit, if you're going to back off of endorsing things the bible outlaws, you'd better not be eating them shellfish.
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When Science was in its crib, Religion tried to strangle it. When Science was in its infancy, Religion tried to abuse it. Now that Science is grown up, Religion wants to be in its good graces.

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Reverend Swaggart · Tadpole Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Agree with above. Living in sin is common to all of us. The problem is that the homo's sin is visible to all, unllike most sins which are not easily observed by others.

Truth101 · Kitten Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 146 Location: B.C

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:42 am Post subject:

Much of this manifesto is a de facto endorsement of antigay repairative therapy, which is considered fraudulent and unethical by most in the helping professions. The statement about positive nonsexual same sex relationships brought to mind the only movie yet about the subject, "But I'm a Cheerleader" which featured Cathy Moriarity and RuPaul Charles as the authoritarian therapists operating a homo-no-more camp. I think they started out with eight kids in the program but only three graduated and it was obvious those were closet cases. Richard Moll ("Bull" from Night Court) was hilarious as one of the "Ex-ex Gays" who took in two of the kids put out of the program. Part of the program was exactly that, though-developing positive same sex friendships, which led to two of the kids, Meagan and Graham (Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall) falling in love. The final scene was very sweet. Meagan's parents (Bud Cort and Mink Stole) were evangelical Christians who viewed her homosexuality as a negative like drugs and crime and put her in this program. At one point they told her she could never come home if she didn't change. but in the final scene they were attending a meeting of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (see www.pflag.org ). Nervously the Dad introduced himself, "My name is Peter and my daughter is a homosexual," he stuttered while the Mom hid her face. Baby steps.

There's also the aspect of not "endorsing" as they say, which has resulted in cruel public policies such as sodomy laws and institutionalized discrimination. The zeal to do such makes this in the final analysis a very UnChristian response.
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RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6999 Location: USA

blah blah blah...

You continue to mischaracterize one's position and talk about things which are plainly not the case. The position posted here has nothing to do with therapy, repairative or otherwise.

Get a new song, one that actually pertains to the information posted.
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Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:23 am Post subject:

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6999 Location: USA

I made my case:

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:02 am Post subject:

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6999 Location: USA

In other words, you cannot find fault with what was posted so you invented something to argue about. Not only that but you have made false accusations about a congregation which you know absolutely nothing and have condemned their position of accepting homosexual Christians into their fold.

You are amazingly confounding. I seriously worry for your mental well-being.
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RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6999 Location: USA

I'm wondering if this conversation has come to an end?

Perhaps I was too forceful in calling a spade a spade? It was not my intent to drive someone away, but to force a consideration of the truth of the matter at hand...
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golfjack · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:56 am Post subject: reply

Rev. J.P. How do you interpret 1 Cor. 5:5? I believe when one is not willing to repent after 2 or 3 have ministered to the ones who practice open sin, and starts to infiltrate a Church, they must be told to leave so they can repent.

May God bless, golfjack

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:56 am Post subject:

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:02 am Post subject:

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6999 Location: USA