On January 19,2010 a reader posed the following question to me:
My response to this question is as follows:
Thank you for addressing this issue with me, Anonymous. I'm glad you are checking out the book and have made your comment.
The excerpt on the Xlibris site is specifically from the first chapter. This book tangles with the question of homosexuality/bible/church/ and faith in two different ways.
First, I deal with the question of Biblical infallibility. It is my opinion, as well as numerous others, that the Bible constitutes a work of man, inspired or otherwise, and therefore, if man is involved, the writing cannot be infallible. I have used several examples to show the anomalies that occur in the Bible, derived from my studies as well as other texts. This in no way detracts from the Biblical validity, but it must be seen as a human work Glorifying God; and not the Word of God, literally. I develop a theory throughout the first 4 chapters detailing how the Bible is read and interpreted by many people, how it relates to viewing homosexuality as a "sin", and how the church has used this interpretation to exclude many from service to Christ within it's framework. This is after all the question that precluded this blog in the beginning. Mine is not to tell you what you must believe; it is to nudge you into thinking about and perhaps viewing your own study of the texts in a different light, and, as one of my readers has pointed out, to stir discussion regarding this topic and how it is applied in every day life.
In the last 4 chapters of the book, I deal specifically with the questions of homosexuality both in context of the church and without. Again, the excerpt provides one very limited passage, and if you read that only, it will not give you the entire message the book has to offer.
My issue with the commonly held interpretation of the Biblical scriptures is that the church historically has tended to be an entity more of exclusion, than of inclusion. We are all too willing to judge, and then try to change (reparative therapy), than to accept as unique the various members of humankind involved in today's dynamic society. It is just way to simplistic to accept the words of Moses and of Paul as "the words of God" and exclude, than to realize that God wants us all to read the works of man, and interpret them to live and be included in the Godly life. My former church family, La Casa de Cristo is, in my opinion, guilty of just this when it relieved one of it's former organists and Choir Directors, and then proceeded to leave ELCA because ELCA chose a path of inclusion. I would argue that Jesus Christ, as our example of Godly Life in the Christian faith, instructed us specifically to "Love one another, as I have loved you.". This is the commandment of love, and doesn't specify who, what, why, where or when to love. It admonishes us to love, and therefore, implies, leaving the judging to God. I don't know about you, Anonymous, but I have enough of my own sins to atone for, rather than spend my time judging you or anyone else. Not to mention the fact that I am not qualified to do so!
I address these and other topics in the book. I have posed the question as to whether homosexuality is a sin. I do not believe that it is. I do believe that Moses and Paul had their reasons for addressing the issue, but Jesus Christ, nowhere, in the 2026 words attributed to Him, spoke to this issue. Interesting is it not? I would argue that promiscuity is the substance of the 7th commandment, much more so than monogamous homosexual relationships.
At any rate, Anonymous, I hope this helps your understanding of what I am speaking to in my book. I'll gladly entertain other questions as well.
Again, folks, for those of you that do not know the book, it is entitled: "What would HE say". It can be found on the Xlibris.com web site.
Thank you Anonymous for your question. Yours in service to Christ, Tom.
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While I don't necessarily agree with your premise, I can't argue your sincerity. I choose to view the Bible as Luther did: "Sola scriptura". This "implies" to me divine writing; not "man" written as you would suggest. I understand your passion, yet, cannot agree that the Bible is anything less than the Word of God. Whether inspired, is a question of man; Paul told us, through his writings that the scriptures are "breathed out" by God. I would choose to believe Paul unless you can show me a reason why I should believe you instead. And that is said with no disrespect intended!
ReplyDeleteAHHH! A Lutheran no doubt! Anonymous: Again I thank you for your thoughts! I would suggest that Luther did indeed "view" the Bible and developed several theses regarding HIS interpretation of the scriptures. Is that not what I am offering? I don't mean to insult the scriptures; rather I choose to offer my interpretation as one, just as valid as was Luther's. NO! I am no where near as educated in scriptural interpretation as was Luther! However, I do think that his interpretation; our collective interpretations; and least of all mine, do matter just as much. Anonymous, can I ask a question of you sir/maam? Do you believe that God would exclude; Christ would exclude; anyone from His presence? Do you honestly believe that Christ would exclude black folk; women folk; gay folk; or for that matter any other folk, from His kingdom? I mean, think about this before you answer. What the argument put forth would offer is that because Moses and Paul said that it is so; Jesus Christ, who said nothing about the subject, would exclude ALL people who happen to be gay from His Kingdom. REALLY? Now then, I toss the ball back to you: Do you want to speak to this issue?
ReplyDeleteWell the way I figure it, The Bible is the WORK of God, and therefore, the WORD of God. That being so, homosexuality becomes a sin, and those who would choose this lifestyle, are indeed non repentant sinners and not worthy of church leadership. I would have to support your former church family on this issue. To answer your question, of course, since homosexuality is a sin, and those involved in this lifestyle are unrepentant sinners, yes, I feel my Lord and Savior would exclude them from His presence. Those of you who would believe differently, I feel, and with no disrespect intended, simply have taken a wrong path. I would encourage you to study your Bible more throughly and perhaps then you too will see more clearly. I simply cannot abide with those of you who think this lifestyle is worthy.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Anonymous, I really think you need to read my book. All of this is addressed in it. Wow, what can I say to you.
ReplyDeleteAlright, I will preface my comments with the statement: We are free to disagree, and I mean no disrespect to your viewpoint. I must however, disagree vehemently.
You, sir/madam, like so many many others, tend to take the Bible as a literal text. Having just written a book on the subject, I can assure you that the Bible is not meant to be taken literally. Remember, the Bible was interpreted as metaphor long before mankind got its hands around the concept that it was literal. This is addressed in the book.
Secondly, I have done research for years, and have had many friends and acquaintances of mine who were gay, and to a one, there is no choice in their lives. It is simply who they are, and that to me is an anthropological trait, much as gender and color are.
Thirdly, I have two persons who are close to me, I choose to call friends. One is a minister, and one an Episcopalian priest, both of whom are gay. They have provided ministry to many, over a long period of time, and I find both of them extremely well educated; both of whom have long term partners and are monogamous, and both of whom are much more worthy than I when it comes to discussing this topic. I have received guidance and direction from both, and would not trade their knowledge or their friendship for anything. I cannot conceive of either of these two persons being excluded from the kingdom of the Lord and Savior I worship. Perhaps you should listen to the admonishment of Bishop Desmond Tutu, of Africa, when he says: “I cannot for the life of me, imagine that God would say, I will punish you because you are Black. You should have been white. Or, you are a woman. You should have been a man. Or you are homosexual. You should have been heterosexual. I cannot for the life of me believe that is how God sees it.”
Anonymous, perhaps, as I feel La Casa has, it is you who have taken the wrong path. With all due respect, the Lord and Savior I worship simply cannot feel the way you do. It is inconceivable to me that HE would feel the way your argument suggests.
As I have said in my book, I simply have been around this issue for too many years; have studied the issue at great length; and have come to the conclusions I have based on the “theology” of the street as it were. What I interpret the Bible to say is predicated in the words of our Lord and Savior, and His Commandment of Love. Corinthians speaks to this issue as well. I’m truly sorry that these words do not mean the same to you as they do to me, but such is the way of Faith!
Thank you once again for your thoughts, anonymous. Yours in service to Christ, Tom.