How does the Church Deal With Tough Issues?

Recently I wrote about a controversial and tough issue- homosexuality. I realized when I wrote about it that it would be one that strikes a nerve with many folks in various ways. The major reason I tackled the issue is two-fold. First, I had not done so in this forum before. And second, I was a tad incensed with the attacks against Rick Warren regarding his prayer next week. Ironically Gene Robinson, the gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, will now be involved as well! We have two ministers with two very different perspectives on this issue being involved! Now I imagine everyone is angry!

As I reread my blog I stand by my beliefs but want to clarify that they are my beliefs. The inauguration shows itself that not all Christians agree with my view and yet I realize that. As I reread my blog I realize I probably made it sound as if the entire church agrees with me and I know that isn’t so! It is a divisive one today (just look at how denominations are falling apart in North America over this issue). Yet I do believe the historical global church has overwhelming held to a more traditional view of sexuality. All major world religions have as well.

I also realize that the church is not always right. The Crusades in history, witch hunts, sexism, racism, etc are examples of times churches have been guilty of gross wrongdoing. Yet those times were not the norm and not reflective of the overall church. And I suppose that one way to deal with this or any other issue is to go back to the earlier church before things got so messy. As one reflects upon the early church the traditional view of sexuality was held. The early church also reflected more equality among gender and a less political nature.

I also can not separate my views from my faith. A faithful Hindu can not separate what he or she believes from his or her life views. As a Christian I can not either. Faith to me is not something I go and do on Sunday (say a few prayers, repeat some creed, and check a few boxes) then go back to the real world. Fundamentalists, evangelicals, moderates, liberals, and so on are shaped by their beliefs and it should be more than a ‘religion’ but a way of life. They way I treat my neighbor, drive down the highway, speak to the clerk, or vote should be shaped by my faith and I simply can’t divorce it from the things I do. This is why some respond in different ways. A radical terrorist is shaped by his faith to hurt others and a pacifist is shaped by his faith to refuse to go to war. You might disagree with their actions (and I hope you do on many cases) but it is shaped by their faith- misguided or correct.

This issue can go round and round so let me take us in a new direction for just a moment.

How do we as Christians respond and relate to one another when there are controversial issues dividing us? I’m not just talking about homosexuality but there are hosts of issues. Issues relating to war, politics, ways to view the Bible, various doctrines, gender, and the list can go on and on. Let me offer a few thoughts.

I don’t believe that differences of belief should lead anyone to respond in ways that violate what it means to be Christian. No matter how mad you make me or how much I disagree with you I have no right to do violence, demonize you, or respond in any unchristian way. During this past election season there were many Christians who felt that Obama was too liberal. There is nothing wrong with having that view or not having that view but the line was crossed when some prominent national Christian leaders emailed grossly slanderous emails that were simply full of hate and untruths. A Christian will always vote his or her values and should but don’t lie about the opposing side! Don’t spread emails that are not true or rumors that are not true. Christians have said that Obama is a Muslim tied to radical Islamic terrorism and doesn’t read the Bible. Five minutes of fact checking will show this is not true. Now does that mean you have to support or vote for Obama? Of course not! That’s not the issue. The issue is can we disagree and not resort to sin? That’s the heart of the matter.

I don’t believe that because we have differences we simply stay silent so that we can all get along. That is not fair to anyone. This country is a free one and I believe that what makes us a strong nation is that we have the right to express our beliefs without fear. I’m a Baptist and believe in a doctrine called the priesthood of the believer. This means that each individual Christian has a right to read the Bible, develop their own thoughts, and speak out even if they disagree with their clergy. I believe we have every right to teach our beliefs and to practice our beliefs. Some argue that Christians are wrong if they talk about moral absolutes. A moral absolute is a belief that something is wrong and there are no exceptions. An example is to say that adultery is a sin. Someone who does not agree with moral absolutes might say that in most cases adultery is a sin but there could be exceptions and it isn’t right for one to make sweeping statements. Those who oppose moral absolutes might say, “What is right for you is right for you but may not be right for me.” The problem is that to say there are no moral absolutes is to make a moral absolute. You are saying that there is no way one thing can be always true and in doing so you are making one yourself! The struggle is determining what is absolute. Stealing is absolutely a sin right? Yet if your child was starving and you lived in a ghetto during Nazi Germany then you might steal a loaf of bread to feed your child. I would do that wouldn’t you? Yet I still agree stealing is morally wrong and is an absolute. So did I sin in taking the bread? I’m a realist and believe that yes stealing is a sin but God is also a loving parent who would understand why I did it in that case. Yet most of the time when we break those moral absolutes we are simply looking for a way to justify our sins.

There is a story in the gospel of John 8(which is not in the oldest manuscripts but still a powerful Jesus story that many feel is very much authentic) where an adulterous woman is thrown before Jesus. They don’t bring the man who should also be there! Killing her may be the law but Jesus asks who is without sin. The men walk away. In that story Jesus writes in the sand and I have heard legends that he wrote various sins and each sin was one that individuals in the crowd had committed and as they saw their sin they walked away. Another legend is that he wrote the names of the men who slept with her which were the men in that very crowd and so as they saw her name they walked away. The story does say that Jesus tells her that he does not condemn her but that she should go and sin no more.

I’ve heard the accusations. That Christians are judgmental. That we are bigots and not tolerant and this is often true. But that doesn’t mean that believing something is sinful makes one so. It is how one responds to that sin that makes one a Christ follower or a bigot. May we practice the same grace God has given us and while doing so may we hold to those beliefs that shape who we are. As it has been said so much it is a cliché, “Practice what you preach!”

Here is how I would deal with the gay issue or any other issue. I might view something as a sinful act but I do not have the excuse to hate, hurt, or destroy those who disagree. I am not afraid to talk, discuss, debate, and do my best to work with those who disagree. I have friends on a host of issues who disagree with me. Yet I love them. I hope they love me! We do our best and God does the rest. Still the church must struggle with speaking the truth but doing so in love. As believers we must do the hard work to make our faith our own and to follow what we really believe God would have us believe. We must be open to the Spirit and do the hard work to formulate our faith and then live it but always with the love of Christ.

So if many people are doing this and coming out in different places what can we do? We can only do our best. We can agree to disagree. We don’t have to give up our beliefs but we have to be honest and open in discussion and prayer and always do as Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Blessings,

Derik