LOVE CRIME Usually when I sit down to write the newsletter article each month, I face the battle against being "Mr. Negative." The desire intended is always to see things change for the better, which requires meeting things head on and bringing up hot button issues at times for reflection. The issue for the Church is that much of it, as folks in these parts occasionally say, “needs fixed.” How can anything change without proper analysis?  If you keep up with current news in any regard, you should notice that there is an ever increasing intolerance for concrete Christian views and a replacement with a humanistic form of ebb and flow, or a culturally interchangeable morality. It’s alright to deem something as good or bad, but not as permissible if it is deliberated from a Biblical source. A majority of the time, the root issue is that we aren’t asking the right questions to begin with. Racism has frothed to the top of discussion more than normal recently with Michael Jackson’s death (in case you haven’t heard, yes, he did die earlier this month), the Gates arrest fiasco (along with Obama’s input) and Barbara Boxer’s racist comment implications during a recent Congressional hearing. For the sake of length, I will key in on the Boxer event (you can view a short clip here if unfamiliar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNFWRRaTL5I). While in this hearing, addressing the National Black Chamber of Commerce CEO Harry Alford, she weaved her defense against his position citing several black sources that supported her stance. He took offense. The question generally being asked about this is, “Was Barbara Boxer making racist comments?” While a valid debate, I kept coming back to a different question – “Why do we have a National Black Chamber of Commerce?” Racism is alive and sick in this country, there is no doubt, but how much of it is  promulgated by groups set up to support minorities by creating a new form of segregation? It would be unthinkable to promote anything that resembled one of the following: White Entertainment Television White History Month
National Association for the
Advancement of Very Light Colored People United Blanco College Fund National Suburban League Miss White America One could respond by saying, “White people have always been the mainstream, they have dominated groups and organizations since America’s inception.” True, but does this in turn translate into a need to create new versions of virtually everything specifically oriented toward the outward appearance of man to set the balance? It is understood that many organizations have helped black people take a step forward out of the racist roots that exist into opportunities that otherwise would have proved more difficult. It does seem to me though that if we are ever to move out of a racist mindset that the issue can’t be continually agitated. Wounds do not heal if they are constantly re-opened. This newsletter isn’t really about racism. The train of thought here is pointing toward hate or intolerance in the area of general differences, and what can be done about it. While the issue of race is certainly a hot topic, I’m about to take some red embers and pile them on with the most culturally relevant issue that exist today – Homosexuality. This one in particular has Christians clamoring for the triumphant position. The extremes range from unconditional endorsement to absolute exclusion. Even seeing the word makes many uncomfortable. Christian culture has largely taken the easy path in regard to  properly addressing gay issues… avoidance. The interesting correlation between homosexuality and racism is that it is being caricatured as foundationally being about civil rights. There is a notable distinction; however, in that being black is physical appearance while sexual orientation is centered around a moral action. Resources below should give some important insight into the gay conversation and better prepare us for dealing with it when it comes up in our day to day lives. It will be natural for many to point fingers to other offenses – sex before marriage, alcoholism, etc. Why single out this one and exclude all others? We need to pay careful attention to sin in any regard, but the reality is that homosexuality has a big question mark stamped on it as which drawer it should be filed in. The world has driven well meaning Christians to support something opposed to God’s intent with human sexuality by desensitization and lack of Biblical understanding. We shouldn’t be against homosexuals… we should love them and help them see their need for healing. It should never be an us versus them mentality, but rather a desire to see all forms of bondage broken. It’s our hope that some of the info in the rest of this issue will help you gain a clearer perspective from God’s Word. ROMANS 1:18-32, NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Why Sex? Adam Barr of Borderlands asks a better question than “Is homosexuality wrong?” in his series that delves into the subject. A broader question he begins with is, “Why Sex?” A new 8 session series with the question as the title will become available in the near future, though session one can be viewed at http://borderlandsweb.com/blog/why-sex/. If you’re interested, a two DVD version filmed at Hope College in 2006 is available for a suggested $12.00 donation. Email Adam directly for a copy - atbarr@borderlandsweb.com.
. Street Report By Kris Zoerman Blues on the Mall this year has been one of the most interesting yet on many levels. We’ve had some fun doing unique things to grab people’s attention; Plinko, a large interactive evolution sign, video interviews, magic, and even had Tom escape from a straight jacket to draw a crowd for open air preaching. We’ve met new Christian friends and have had some fun sharing Truth. I’ve been especially encouraged by others who have come out; including my brother-in-law Charlie, Emily my 11 year old niece (who was able to pass out more Gospel tracts than anyone that night), and many others who came out for a night or two. Ben, who did the last street report, consistently comes down every week and although a fairly shy guy, you wouldn’t know it by his willingness to start up conversations left and right. Part of the battle for me is pushing back the excuses. Ben’s love for others and positive attitude, have been such an encouragement to push on. Jason and Valerie have such a passion to share Christ with others. Valerie is always cheerful and has great rapport with everyone. And Jason did an awesome job helping to teach our last training session. This past week’s open air after Blues, Jason did an absolutely amazing job of sharing his passion for the Grace of God without bending an inch on God’s Holiness. My earnest prayer for God to increase my love for the lost and to help me push past the cynicism that I frequently fight, has been answered though the encouragement of these brothers and sisters and I thank God for all of them often…
Questions and Objections
"How should I witness to a homosexual?"
Rather than offend homosexuals by directly confronting the issue of their sinful lifestyle, modern evangelism often tries to soften the approach by saying that "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner." This isn’t a new concept. Charles Finney stated, "God is not angry merely against the sin abstracted from the sinner, but against the sinner himself. Some persons have labored hard to set up this ridiculous and absurd abstraction, and would fain make it appear that God is angry at sin, yet not at the sinner. He hates the theft, but loves the thief. He abhors adultery, but is pleased with the adulterer. Now this is supreme nonsense. The sin has no moral character apart from the sinner. The act is nothing apart from the actor. The very thing that God hates and disapproves is not the mere event—the thing done in distinction from the doer; but it is the doer himself. It grieves and displeases Him that a rational moral agent, under His government, should array himself against his own God and Father, against all that is right and just in the universe. This is the thing that offends God. The sinner himself is the direct and the only object of his anger."
So the Bible shows. God is angry with the wicked [Psalm 7:11], not with the abstract sin. If the wicked turn not, God will whet His sword—He has bent His bow and made it ready—not to shoot at the sin, but the sinner—the wicked man who has done the abominable thing. This is the only doctrine of either the Bible or of common sense on this subject" (The Guilt of Sin).
The biblical way to witness to a homosexual is not to argue with him about his lifestyle but to use the Law to bring the knowledge of sin. This will show him that he is guilty of breaking God’s holy Law, and he is damned not because of, but despite his sexual preference. The Law was made for homosexuals, as well as other lawbreakers.
Excerpted from The Evidence Bible
Some Useful Links
(CLICK THE LINK FOR THE FULL ARTICLE)
Christianity and Homosexuality – CARM.org
http://www.carm.org/christianity/christian-issues/christianity-and-homosexualityThe homosexuals and lesbians have gained considerable political and social momentum in America. They have "come out" as the term goes, left their closets, and are knocking on the doors of your homes. Through TV, Radio, Newspapers, and Magazines, they are preaching their doctrine of tolerance, equality, justice, and love. They do not want to be perceived as abnormal or dangerous. They want acceptance and they want you to welcome them with open, loving arms, approving of what they do… Were David and Jonathan Gay?
We know from 1 Samuel 18:1 that Jonathan loved David. Second Samuel 1:26 also records David’s lament after Jonathan’s death, where he said that his love for Jonathan was more wonderful than the love of a woman. Some use these two passages to suggest a homosexual relationship between David and Jonathan. This interpretation, however, should be rejected for at least three reasons…
What’s Wrong with Being Gay?
The issue of homosexual behavior has had a lot of publicity of late. Homosexuals say that the slaves have been freed and women have been liberated, so gay rights are long overdue. Society does seem to be moving in that direction. Many homosexuals are “coming out” and openly declaring their homosexuality. In many parts of the western world, homosexual couples receive the same recognition as heterosexual couples with regard to social security benefits. Some church leaders are giving their blessing to homosexual relationships, homosexual church members and even homosexual ministers…
Is it Possible to be a Gay Christian?
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). There is a tendency to declare homosexuality as the worst of all sins. While it is undeniable, biblically speaking, that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural (Romans 1:26-27), in no sense does the Bible describe homosexuality as an unforgivable sin. Nor does the Bible teach that homosexuality is a sin Christians will never struggle against…
Is Homosexuality Genetic?
There is essentially no dimension of behavior which is not both environmentally and genetically influenced. Genes and environment interact in extraordinarily complex ways with each other, as well as among themselves to produce a final result; the environmental influences are multi-factorial and affect each other; in human behavior, the pertinent genes are also multiple. Furthermore, there are very few circumstances where free will plays little or no role in what we do. These facts are true of homosexuality as of all other dimensions of human behavior. Indeed, there are no features of human behavior which are not influenced in some fashion by our genetic makeup and no features of human behavior which are not influenced in some fashion by our environment…
Conservapedia.com’s Page on Homosexuality: Schedule  The Blues on the Mall, as is true every year, has been a great time of talking with people open to the Gospel. It’s hard to believe that there are only two more left! If you’ve been thinking of coming out with our group for this, it’s crunch time! I have also spoken with some that are anticipating a couple of concerts upcoming. We have a   couple of VanAndel dates for AC/DC (Tuesday, August 18) and Journey/Heart (Tuesday, August 25). These are 2 relatively big concerts, and are sure to be a great time to minister to people. Please consider marking your calendar today, and be blessed. As I’ve mentioned to a couple of people recently, almost every week that we go out for these events with the expressed intent to share the Gospel, I can think of 100 other things I could be doing. Life is busy, but regardless of whether or not I even feel like sharing my faith that night, God ALWAYS shows up. It isn’t about you or your abilities any time you decide to take the leap of opening your mouth for God, it’s about Him using you to Glorify Himself in the process. In Their Own Words "For me, the debate is over. The verdict is in. Homosexuality is not a sickness, not a sin. Furthermore I have no interest in continuing that  debate. Whether fundamentalist Christians believe it or not, I can say without fear or ambivalence: “I am gay. I am proud. And God loves me without reservation!” Mel White |
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