Comments from Pastor Billy about chapter five of his summer book recommendation - a great read for high school graduates and their parents!
I Have Gay Friends Who Are Kind, Wonderful, and Happy--Are We Sure That Homosexuality Is Really Wrong?
One of the challenging topics on college campuses today, quite frankly in life, is the question of homosexuality. Michael Kruger presents the question in a way that focuses not on the emotional side of the equation but what the Bible and logic tells us is happening. One of the challenges is the fact that many people who are in a homosexual lifestyle or identify as LGBTQIA+ is that they are generally nice people.
Kruger mentions how many people have left their Christian convictions and worldview simply because they have met the most amazing and wonderful person who lives that lifestyle, and “If it’s such a bad thing, they reason, then how could such wonderful people be doing it?” One thing to keep in mind is that all people are made in the image of God and are capable of both good and evil. However, we should not base our entire worldview on the perceived good that we see people exhibit in their lives. Also, on the flip side we cannot condemn those who seem on the outside to only be evil.
One of the arguments that Kruger addresses is that “people should be able to be with whomever they love.” But does this question and logic follow through? Can we take this logic to its ultimate conclusion? I am sure that you can come up with many combinations that would not be acceptable to people if you dreamed them up. You could use this logic as a way to rationalize any type of sexual behavior that you wanted, and I would argue that people outside of the Christian faith would even see many of them as wrong. But, if you take the logic that we can love whomever we want, then you have to accept what could be the choices of other people who do not share your morals.
Finally, Kruger addresses those who have attempted to make Christianity and homosexuality compatible. I would argue along the same lines as Kruger that the Bible and the church for 2,000 years has unanimously agreed that the Bible does not teach a union outside of one male and one female. It give specific information about what a marriage covenant is meant to be, that homosexual acts are condemned in both the Old and New Testament, and that judgement falls on people who practice these things. But, and I think this is equally important, in 1 Corinthians 6:11 Paul offers hope to all people caught in any kind of sin, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is hope for all sinners to come to Christ, humble themselves, call on Him as Lord of their life and repent. I would encourage all of us to do that and share that good news with everyone.
I hope you are enjoying the book and have gained some insight into the challenges facing Christians on college campuses. Feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts.
In Christ,
Billy