also from this week's tablet I discovered that Steve Chalke - an important member of the evangelical Christian community has changed his view regarding gay marriage.
after googling I found an interesting article from a friend of his who writes:
"Steve's public declaration in support of Civil Partnerships will cause reverberations far and wide. His statement represents the first time that a major evangelist and leader in the Evangelical community has come out in support of same-sex relationships.Both those who support same-sex partnerships and gay marriage as well as those who oppose such developments will look upon Steve's declaration as a watershed. It is one more evidence that a major shift is taking place on this controversial subject, not only within mainline Christianity, but among Evangelicals.
When Steve talked to me on the phone, he told me that he felt both compelled and afraid to make his stand. Compelled because, in his understanding, the principles of justice, reconciliation and inclusion sit at the very heart of Jesus' message. Afraid because he recognises the Bible is understood by many to teach that the practice of homosexuality, in any circumstance, is 'a grotesque and sinful subversion.'
He knows that some will think that he has strayed from Scripture. However, he says, he has formed his view, not out of any disregard for the Bible's authority, but by way of grappling with it and, through prayerful reflection, seeking to take it seriously.
He claims that "one tragic outworking of the Church's historical rejection of faithful gay relationships is our failure to provide homosexual people with any model of how to cope with their sexuality, except for those who have the gift of, or capacity for, celibacy. In this way we have left people vulnerable and isolated. When we refuse to make room for gay people to live in loving, stable relationships, we consign them to lives of loneliness, secrecy, fear and even of deceit. It's one thing to be critical of a promiscuous lifestyle - but shouldn't the Church consider nurturing positive models for permanent and monogamous homosexual relationships?"
"Promiscuity", he says, "is always damaging and dehumanising. Casual and self-centered expressions of sexuality - homosexual or heterosexual - never reflect God's faithfulness, grace and self-giving love. Only a permanent and stable relationship, in which respect and faithfulness are given and received, can offer the security in which well-being and love can thrive."
(my own underlinings) The article is by Tony Campolo
after googling I found an interesting article from a friend of his who writes:
"Steve's public declaration in support of Civil Partnerships will cause reverberations far and wide. His statement represents the first time that a major evangelist and leader in the Evangelical community has come out in support of same-sex relationships.Both those who support same-sex partnerships and gay marriage as well as those who oppose such developments will look upon Steve's declaration as a watershed. It is one more evidence that a major shift is taking place on this controversial subject, not only within mainline Christianity, but among Evangelicals.
When Steve talked to me on the phone, he told me that he felt both compelled and afraid to make his stand. Compelled because, in his understanding, the principles of justice, reconciliation and inclusion sit at the very heart of Jesus' message. Afraid because he recognises the Bible is understood by many to teach that the practice of homosexuality, in any circumstance, is 'a grotesque and sinful subversion.'
He knows that some will think that he has strayed from Scripture. However, he says, he has formed his view, not out of any disregard for the Bible's authority, but by way of grappling with it and, through prayerful reflection, seeking to take it seriously.
He claims that "one tragic outworking of the Church's historical rejection of faithful gay relationships is our failure to provide homosexual people with any model of how to cope with their sexuality, except for those who have the gift of, or capacity for, celibacy. In this way we have left people vulnerable and isolated. When we refuse to make room for gay people to live in loving, stable relationships, we consign them to lives of loneliness, secrecy, fear and even of deceit. It's one thing to be critical of a promiscuous lifestyle - but shouldn't the Church consider nurturing positive models for permanent and monogamous homosexual relationships?"
"Promiscuity", he says, "is always damaging and dehumanising. Casual and self-centered expressions of sexuality - homosexual or heterosexual - never reflect God's faithfulness, grace and self-giving love. Only a permanent and stable relationship, in which respect and faithfulness are given and received, can offer the security in which well-being and love can thrive."
(my own underlinings) The article is by Tony Campolo
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