Changes

The issue of homosexuality and [[New Testament]] [[Christianity]] has historically been that of two incompatible doctrines and practices. However, with the rise of Biblical revisionism as well as  sexual immorality, [[liberal]] writers and activists have sought to sanction homosexuality within Christianity. While exegetical efforts to contradict the traditional position regarding [[homosexuality and biblical interpretation]] are shown to be spurious, a number of formerly conservative Christian churches now tolerate or promote homosexuality, with some sanctioning [[same sex marriage]]. This has resulted in a necessary division between those who hold to traditional biblical exegesis as regards homosexuality, versus those who subscribe to the revisionist rendering of the issue.   

The issue of [[homosexuality]] and [[New Testament]] [[Christianity]] has historically been that of two incompatible doctrines and practices. However, with the rise of Biblical revisionism as well as  sexual immorality, [[liberal]] writers and activists have sought to sanction homosexuality within Christianity. While exegetical efforts to contradict the traditional position regarding [[homosexuality and biblical interpretation]] are shown to be spurious, a number of formerly conservative Christian churches now tolerate or promote homosexuality, with some sanctioning [[same sex marriage]]. This has resulted in a necessary division between those who hold to traditional biblical exegesis as regards homosexuality, versus those who subscribe to the revisionist rendering of the issue.   

==Terminology==

==Terminology==

==Denominational positions on the Bible, and homosexuality==

==Denominational positions on the Bible, and homosexuality==

===Anglican/Episcopal===  

===Anglican/Episcopal===  

The attitude of the Episcopal Church toward homosexuality is partly seen in its reaction to the election of an openly gay, non-celibate priest, [[Gene Robinson]], the father of two grown daughters who had lived openly with another man for 13 years, as Bishop. On June 7 2003, the [[New Hampshire]] diocese of the Episcopal Church elected Robinson as its Bishop. The national church approved this, with 62 of 107 bishops convening at the  General Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 5, voting to support the canon. Robinson met his current partner in 1988, and their house was blessed by Bishop Douglas Theuner. In 2008 they were legally "married" under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, with Robinson claiming to be a June "bride."  Robinson later revealed that he struggled with [[alcoholism]] for years. <ref>[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2167942/posts Robinson's speech: Divisive, as expected]</ref><ref>http://lifeanddoctrine.blogspot.com/2009/01/bishop-gene-robinson-rick-warren-barak.html</ref><ref>Gay Episcopal Bishop Prepares for June Wedding, U/Miami News Service, December 4, 2007</ref>  In April, 2005, Robinson promoted Planned Parenthood  targeting "people of faith" to promote abortion rights and comprehensive sex education. He also attacked traditional interpretations regarding [[homosexuality and the Bible]], and exhorted, "The story of freedom in Exodus is our story. ... That's my story, and they can't have it."<ref>Gay bishop backs Planned Parenthood, The Washington Times, April 15, 2005</ref>  Robinson's ordination and his positions here are seen to manifest a "different Jesus" and Spirit (2Cor. 11:4; Jude 1:4,11,12).  

The attitude of the Episcopal Church toward homosexuality is partly seen in its reaction to the election of an openly gay, non-celibate priest, [[Gene Robinson]], the father of two grown daughters who had lived openly with another man for 13 years, as Bishop. On June 7 2003, the [[New Hampshire]] diocese of the Episcopal Church elected Robinson as its Bishop. The national church approved this, with 62 of 107 bishops convening at the  General Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 5, voting to support the canon. Robinson met his current partner in 1988, and their house was blessed by Bishop Douglas Theuner. In 2008 they were legally "married" under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, with Robinson claiming to be a June "bride."  Robinson later revealed that he struggled with [[alcoholism]] for years. <ref>[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2167942/posts Robinson's speech: Divisive, as expected]</ref><ref>http://lifeanddoctrine.blogspot.com/2009/01/bishop-gene-robinson-rick-warren-barak.html</ref><ref>Gay Episcopal Bishop Prepares for June Wedding, U/Miami News Service, December 4, 2007</ref>  In April, 2005, Robinson promoted Planned Parenthood  targeting "people of faith" to promote abortion rights and comprehensive sex education. He also attacked traditional interpretations regarding [[homosexuality and the Bible]], and exhorted, "The story of freedom in Exodus is our story. ... That's my story, and they can't have it."<ref>Gay bishop backs Planned Parenthood, The Washington Times, April 15, 2005</ref>  Robinson's ordination and his positions here are seen to manifest a "different Jesus" and Spirit (2Cor. 11:4; Jude 1:4,11,12).  

===Assemblies of God===

===Assemblies of God===

The Assembly of God is clear and detailed in stating that it holds the Bible to be wholly inspired and inerrant (in the original).<ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm#1 Our 16 Fundamental Truths The Scriptures Inspired]</ref><ref>[http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4175_inerrancy.pdf The inerrancy of Scripture]</ref> It's position on homosexuality states, in part,  

The Assembly of God is clear and detailed in stating that it holds the Bible to be wholly inspired and inerrant (in the original).<ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm#1 Our 16 Fundamental Truths The Scriptures Inspired]</ref><ref>[http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4175_inerrancy.pdf The inerrancy of Scripture]</ref> It's position on homosexuality states, in part,  

Homosexual behavior is sin because it is disobedient to scriptural teachings. Writers sympathetic to the homosexual community have advanced revisionist interpretations of relevant biblical texts that are based upon biased exegesis and mistranslation. In effect, they seek to set aside almost 2,000 years of Christian Biblical interpretation and ethical teachings. We believe these efforts are reflective of the conditions described in 2Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” It should be noted at the outset that there is absolutely no affirmation of homosexual activity found anywhere in Scripture. <ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4181_homosexuality.pdf Homosexuality]</ref>

Homosexual behavior is sin because it is disobedient to scriptural teachings. Writers sympathetic to the homosexual community have advanced revisionist interpretations of relevant biblical texts that are based upon biased exegesis and mistranslation. In effect, they seek to set aside almost 2,000 years of Christian Biblical interpretation and ethical teachings. We believe these efforts are reflective of the conditions described in 2Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” It should be noted at the outset that there is absolutely no affirmation of homosexual activity found anywhere in Scripture. <ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4181_homosexuality.pdf Homosexuality]</ref>  

===Southern Baptist===

===Evangelical Lutheran Church===

The largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist convention, is clearly concisely states that the Bible is inspired and inerrant, that  

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) officially holds to a liberal and subjective view regarding Scripture. It states that "God inspired the Bible’s many writers, editors and compilers", the mention of the latter entities indicating that it hold to the revisionary Documentary Source Hypothesis. It also seeks to "interpret Scripture by listening to the living Jesus in the context of the Church". As expressed, this holds that that the writer’s culture or personal experience or [[bias]] may have have resulted in "his missing what God was saying or doing, or that God now is saying or doing something new."<ref>What do Lutherans believe about the Bible?</ref>  

 

It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter."<ref>[http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp The Baptist Faith and Message]</ref>  "Baptists also make statements of belief, but all of them are revisable in light of Scripture. The Bible is the final word."<ref<[http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/pscreeds.asp  Position Statements>Creeds and Confessions]</ref> Baptists have accepted the Bible as the sole authority for matters of faith and practice.<ref> Resolution On The Bible June 1978</ref>

 

We affirm God's plan for marriage and sexual intimacy – one man, and one woman, for life. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. Homosexuality is not a "valid alternative lifestyle." The Bible condemns it as sin. It is not, however, unforgivable sin. The same redemption available to all sinners is available to homosexuals. They, too, may become new creations in Christ.<ref>[http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/pssexuality.asp  Position Statements/Sexuality]</ref> See also Resolutions.[http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/AMResSearchAction.asp?SearchBy=Keyword&DisplayRows=10&frmData=homosexuality&Search=Search]

As regards homosexuality, the ELCA affirms "... that gay and lesbian people, as individuals created by God, are welcome to participate fully in the life of the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." However, "The ELCA has no policy on the blessing of same-sex unions", and states, "It is the policy of the ELCA that all single rostered people, including those who are homosexual in their self-understanding, are expected to abstain from sexual relationships." <ref>http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/New-or-Returning-to-Church/Dig-Deeper/Homosexuality-and-the-ELCA.aspx</ref>  

===Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod===  

===Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod===  

While clearly affirming the sinfulness of homosexuality, we will also want clearly to af?rm God's promise of forgiveness in Christ Jesus.Often families of homosexuals are embarrassed and ashamed. If Christian friends and relatives treat them in ways that increase this shame, it is little wonder that they will attempt to rationalize or otherwise explain away a son's or daughter's sinful lifestyle.<ref>[http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/wa_homosexuality.pdf What about Homosexuality?]</ref>  

While clearly affirming the sinfulness of homosexuality, we will also want clearly to af?rm God's promise of forgiveness in Christ Jesus.Often families of homosexuals are embarrassed and ashamed. If Christian friends and relatives treat them in ways that increase this shame, it is little wonder that they will attempt to rationalize or otherwise explain away a son's or daughter's sinful lifestyle.<ref>[http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/wa_homosexuality.pdf What about Homosexuality?]</ref>  

===Presbyterian (PCUSA)===  

===Presbyterian (PCUSA)===  

Is spite of official Roman Catholic teaching, a number of pr homosexual Catholic groups continue to seek to change this teaching.  

Is spite of official Roman Catholic teaching, a number of pr homosexual Catholic groups continue to seek to change this teaching.  

   

   

Homosexual researcher John Boswell (1947-1994) in an effort many see as a case of [[homosexual historical revisionism]], tendentiously worked to claim that the [[Roman Catholicism]] came to sanction a degree of homosexual bonding till the 13th century. However, his research and conclusions have been much disputed by [[liberal]] and [[conservative]] scholars alike.<ref>David Wright, "Do you take this man ... --- Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe by John Boswell", National Review Aug 29, 1994; 59-60</ref><ref>Robin Darling Young, , Gay Marriage: Reimagining Church History, First Things, 47 ( Nov 1 1994), 43-</ref><ref>[http://www.robgagnon.net/RespHarwoodPorter.htm  On Boswell and “Men who lie with a male” in 1 Corinthians 6:9:

Homosexual researcher John Boswell (1947-1994) in an effort many see as a case of [[homosexual historical revisionism]], tendentiously worked to claim that the [[Roman Catholicism]] came to sanction a degree of homosexual bonding till the 13th century. However, his research and conclusions have been much disputed by [[liberal]] and [[conservative]] scholars alike.<ref>David Wright, "Do you take this man ... --- Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe by John Boswell", National Review Aug 29, 1994; 59-60</ref><ref>Robin Darling Young, , Gay Marriage: Reimagining Church History, First Things, 47 ( Nov 1 1994), 43-</ref><ref>[http://www.robgagnon.net/RespHarwoodPorter.htm  On Boswell and “Men who lie with a male” in 1 Corinthians 6:9: A Response to Harwood and Porter]</ref>   

A Response to Harwood and Porter]</ref>   

 

 

 

 

 

===United Church of Christ===

===United Church of Christ===