The Good Book and Gay Marriage

Duke: I think I'll take our conversation too far afield to engage every point you make here. For the most part I accept your characterization of my relationship to Scripture, and I agree that I must eventually interpret and apply. I have no doubt that I tend to prefer some parts of Scripture more than others, but, as you also acknowledge, that doesn't mean that I consider those neglected portions less inspired. All Scripture is equally inspired. I do consider it an objective authority to which I must do my very best to submit. I'm sure you're right that I am leaning on Paul's teachings more than the teachings of Jesus in answering the question of homosexuality, but I don't consider that to be a weakness. I look to the passages that are the most clear before I go to those less so. When the clear passages speak clearly, I see no need to try to interpret them by other passages that may or may not apply. By the time I study Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:24-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I think it is clear what the Bible teaches about homosexual behavior. When I read the Genesis account of human origins and the New Testament teachings about marriage, I think it is clear that God didn't intend same-sex marriage.

If I were to take the teachings of Jesus about mercy and compassion and interpret other clear teachings in the Bible in light of them, I could end up saying that any activity ought to be winked at. I believe that I must be gray where God has chosen to be gray and black-and-white where God has chosen to be black-and-white. I think he is clear about the issue of homosexuality, so I must be as well. Furthermore, I do not see how we can take the silence of Jesus on any subject as indication that he didn't have an opinion about it, or felt that the issue wasn't that important, or that he intended me to apply his message of mercy and compassion to anything condemned elsewhere in the Bible. Jesus didn't speak directly on many subjects, but that doesn't mean he would always default to the mercy and compassion theme when presented with those issues. The Book of Revelation also tells me about Jesus, and it is quite evident that He is coming back in judgment. Mercy and compassion just won't work in every circumstance. I wish it would, I really do, but there is also holiness, justice, and God's unerring standards, which apply not only to Sin but also to sins. Jesus said God would judge men for their deeds, (Matthew 16:27). Other Scripture writers declare the same: (2 Corinthians 5:10).
I fully understand and appreciate your concern for homosexuals. It might encourage you to know that neither I nor most Southern Baptists believe that homosexual behavior is the unpardonable sin. Since there are 16 million of us, I can't speak for all of them, but I don't know of any who believe that. However, I don't think we do homosexuals any favors by accepting what God does not accept.

I understand that this is a much more difficult issue for homosexuals than for other sinful behaviors that we don't condone. Homosexuals don't choose to have same-sex attractions. To my knowledge, most homosexuals try very hard to deny their same-sex attractions initially. Eventually they give in and accept those attractions as what seems to them to be their natural orientation. For them, it seems natural to be attracted to members of the same sex. I recognize that. I wouldn't say that all Southern Baptists recognize that, and some would disagree with me, but I have spoken to enough practicing and former homosexuals to know that this is true. (I do not believe that God intended humans to be homosexual. Scripture just does not support that possibility.)

The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is trying to help Southern Baptists understand the causes of same-sex attraction. Even though we recognize that homosexuals believe that same-sex attractions are normal for them, we do not believe we are helping them by affirming them in this state. If God has declared homosexual behavior to be sinful, we don't help homosexuals by telling them everything is all right as long as they engage in homosexual acts within a committed relationship. We only help them by telling them what God has said about it, and then offer them a safe, loving, compassionate environment in which God can help them change. This is something many of our Southern Baptist churches need to work on as well.

I recognize that many homosexuals do not believe they need to change, and are offended by my and others' claims that they need to. This is the point at which feelings and personal preferences must not be allowed to trump the clear teachings of Scripture. There are other people who engage in some sins that homosexuals would themselves find offensive and in need of change. Yet some of these people would also say that they couldn't help what they feel naturally inclined to do. Homosexuals would not consider their claims that these inclinations are natural to be an adequate defense of their behavior or reason to affirm them. So, it is with homosexual behavior. God has declared it sinful. If I affirm what is sin, I have not helped someone, but have actually endangered him or her.

I consider my opposition to same-sex marriage and to homosexuality in general to be an act of love toward those who are living in this lifestyle. I do not help anyone by affirming what God has condemned. I must make sure that I come across as loving when I speak to homosexuals or about them, though, something I confess I do not always do adequately. I think this cuts both ways, but I can only work on myself.