John, the part of your presentation with which I cannot agree is that IF we
assume that their homosexual tendency is genetic, that "no one can argue
that they are forced to act upon this attraction". That is not true for we
humans. We are sentient, thinking, beings. We make choices every day. We can
choose to act on our urges, genetic or not, or we can choose not to act on
them. Even if these pastors' urges are totally genetic, they can choose NOT
to pursue those urges.
So, my position is that it DOES NOT MATTER if homosexuality is genetic or
not. Either way we are free to choose NOT to pursue urges that lead to sin.
Rather than bring genetics into the equation, why not present it as the sin
it is regardless of the genetic issue.
May God be with you in your endeavor. I do not envy you for the challenges
that you take on, but admire you for your willingness to minister to those
that others might spurn.
Perry
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Bulk] RE: [TruthTalk] an argument from the gay community for
homosecuality
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 21:46:27 -0400
A friend of mine has confided that he knows of two pastors locally who
are involved with each other. Apparently they pastor conservatiives
churches. I do not know know if they are married. I pass on how I am
trying to deal with this issue ---------- hoping to get the discussion
to the point where those involved can sit down and talk about this issue.
I know this will tweek some, but it is the way I have chosen to deal with
the issue and I pass it on as a point of discussion. Above the discussion
point that this is -- please pray for these individuals. If anyone sees
a better approach, I am all ears.
Jd
In a nutshell -- this is my presentation:
Your pastor friends, in the closet as you say, need to look to the
ministry they are involved in IMO. Especially if they are pastors of
conservatives churches. It is wrong for these two to risk the
effectiveness of their ministries over this issue. Let's allow for a
genetic influence (something I do not agree with) and agree that these two
are physically attracted to each other because of this influence --- no
one can argue that they are forced to act upon this attraction. Not at
all. I was divorced by my wife of 23 years many years ago. I remained
single for 13 years while raising my two younger sons. Being hetersexual
by no means was an overpowering influence in my life. The two pastors in
question need to leave the ministry or stop fooling around --------------
not so much because their gayness is wrong (again, allowing for the
argument) but because they can harm the work of the Lord and hurt so many
people. We can stand and beat our chests all day long, screaming I AM
RIGHT AND YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT ME
EVEN IF YOU HONESTLY DISAGREE BECAUSE - BECAUSE -- BECAUSE -- WELL,
BECAUSE I AM RIGHT!! Gayness is not the issue in this case --
selfishness and stubbornness is. Are they married? If so -- the
accusation is compounded. Sexuality has boundaries. Paul thought it
best to have no attachments at all. The work of ministry is profoundly
more important than any other issue. We are individually the presentation
of Christ to the world. We will never be what He expects of us if we do
not obsess about Him and His Life in Us. If pastors are not in the lead
on this point -- why are they in the ministry at all. Ye who are
spiritual help those who are weak must be the calling of any pastor. If
not ------------ he needs to find other work.
----------
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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