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Karl Barth, the premier theologian of this century for Germany, and
the major contributor to the document that freed the German Church from
Hitler's influence, said that all Christian Theology must begin and end
with the person of Jesus Christ, or it is not Christian Theology. To
this I would add, and I do not think that Karl Barth would object, in
that journey from beginning to end, Christian theology must center on
the person of Jesus Christ, as well.
Unfortunately, the gospels do not record any
saying of Jesus about the issue of homosexuality. Consequently, we
must start by speculating about Jesus' position on the issue on the
basis of what we do know about Him.
The most definitive statement about the person
of Jesus Christ is found in John 3:16 &17, which reads;
Now it is time for the anti-inclusion position
to respond with its "Yeah, but's..."
A popular saying among many Christians today,
both conservative and liberal, is "What Would Jesus Do?" You can now
purchase bracelets and necklaces displaying the first letters of; those
words: "W.W.J.D." which serve to remind the wearers of this motto. So,
what would Jesus do about homosexuality?
If Jesus were alive and walking the earth today,
would he refuse to accept a gay, a bisexual or a transgendered person
into his band of disciples?
If Jesus understood the current scientific
conclusions, that the gay, the bisexual or the transgendered are a
result of
genetic make up, would he conclude that these people are
sinners, unfit to join him?
I can cite numerous examples of how Jesus went
against the social norms of the day. Jesus accepted and affirmed
people whom the rest of the Jews would not include in
their circle of friends, or even acquaintances.
The anti-inclusion position can still cite the
law found in Leviticus and Paul's statements found in Romans chapter
one. They can still argue, and quite convincingly, that Jesus came not
to destroy these laws, but to fulfill them.
Again, we've reached an impasse.
Let us return to the person of Jesus Christ, and
forget our speculation based on what we think we know about what Jesus
might have done. Let us do this by rephrasing that question and asking,
"What HAS Jesus DONE?"
If I can find just one gay, one bisexual or one
transgendered person who:
If I can find just one gay, one bisexual or one
transgendered person who fits any one of the above descriptions, then I
am forced to conclude that Jesus has accepted this person on the same
ground as myself, with all the same rights, privileges and
responsibilities If Jesus has indeed accepted the one, then the
possibility exists that Jesus is prepared to accept others, that -- in
fact -- Jesus has accepted others.; If this is true, then I find myself
compelled to paraphrase Isaiah's remark about eunuchs and prophesy;
"neither let the gay, the bisexual and the transgendered say, 'Behold,
I am a dry tree.' For thus saith the Lord unto the gay, the bisexual
and the transgendered that keep my Sabbaths and choose the things that
please me, and take hold of my covenant: 'Even unto them will I give in
mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of the
sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall
not be cut off.'" (Isaiah 56:4-6, KJV Italicized words are my changes
to this text.)
I have known several Gay Christians who are far
more spiritual than I am. I have known several Gay Christians who exude
the Love of Christ to the same degree as the teen boy exudes the
cologne of the day while out on his first date. I have also known
several Straight Christians who match that description, line for line.
And...I have also known several Christians, both Straight and Gay, who
make me look exceptionally spiritual; Christians, both straight and
gay, who are so afraid of offending God that they attach themselves to
some other human to mold them, to teach them how to behave, what to
think and even when to breath. So, I must conclude that gayness, or
lack of gayness has nothing to do with either saving faith or
spirituality.
We have gone full circle, beginning with the
Person of Jesus Christ as he and his mission are described with the
words that the gospel writer John put into this mouth, ending with the
Person of Jesus Christ as revealed by the work of the Holy Spirit who
serves to glorify Christ, and centering ourselves on the person of
Jesus Christ as we speculate about how he might have handled the
question were he physically here today. In all three portions of this
journey, the beginning, the middle and the end, the overwhelming
evidence is in favor of including the gay, the bisexual and the
transgendered into the church.; But...the most compelling evidence of
all is the action of Jesus Christ today, as he demonstrates his
acceptance of the gay, the bisexual and the transgendered by allowing
such people to know the joy of salvation, and to serve to the same
degree as any spiritual person that we may decide to use for a
measuring stick.
If Jesus Christ, through the person of the Holy
Spirit of God, is willing to accept the gay, the bisexual or the
transgendered, can I...no, can we do less? Even the Bible teaches that,
in the final analysis, it matters not what the Bible says, it matters
not what the Church (or churches) says, it matters not what good sound
doctrine or dogma says. No, in the final analysis, the only thing that
matters is what Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit of God, is doing
in the world today, even as I write, and as you read this document. In
the words of Peter, when he was asked to defend his actions in the
house of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, "Forasmuch, then, as God gave
them the same gift as he did unto us, who believeth on the Lord Jesus
Christ, what was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 12:17, KJV)
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John Boswell
Samuel Kader
by Rembert Truluck
Websites:
Also In This Issue:
Mama Was Right: A Journey Home
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