Saturday Night

Once again, I had planned on working out but my fitness motivation has been waning as of late and tonight proved to be no exception. However, my guilt has been mostly neutralized by over an hour of teaching from John Piper and productivity in other areas. I will try for physical improvement again tomorrow.

I do love Piper's teaching but must make sure that I am not substituting time in the Word with time watching or listening to him. Great teaching should be supplemental to our time with God. It can certainly enrich it.

The presiding bishop of the ELCA is suggesting that the Bible isn't the last word on homosexuality. Here is an excerpt from the brief article:

"In a town hall meeting Sunday, Bishop Mark Hanson said, "the understanding we have of homosexuality today does not seem to be reflected at all in the context of the biblical writers." Therefore, he said, Lutherans should consider more modern views on sexual orientation. At its churchwide convention in August, the ELCA lifted its ban on partnered gay and lesbian clergy, prompting some traditional congregations to withhold funds and begin forming a separate denomination.

But Hanson insisted the ELCA can accommodate both views. In his words, "God is still speaking to us." He also suggests that more homosexual-friendly policies may help the denomination grow."

My initial feeling is sadness. So many things are wrong in those few sentences. What "understanding" is he referring to? Does he subscribe to the notion that people are born gay...that sexual orientation isn't a choice? There is no scientific evidence I know of that has declared that to be true. Even if there were, aren't there genetic markers that lead to violence or alcoholism? Does that excuse those behaviors because you were born with a predilection (sp) toward them? Or does it mean you will simply have to battle harder within the freedom of individual responsibility to live a life that honors God and blesses others?

Oh, the self-serving rationale of "God is still speaking to us." This can pretty much excuse any behavior and viewpoint, can't it? Does God speak to us? All the time...most of us just aren't listening. But the suggestion here is that God is not only speaking to us but giving us new doctrine that replaces Biblical truth. There is nothing in Scripture to suggest God speaks to us in that way now. Does he illuminate and clarify existing Biblical truth? Absolutely. Does he change His mind on what he once thought to be true? No. His Word is inerrant and eternal.

"The ELCA can accommodate both views." If that isn't a line directly from Satan, I don't know what is. The bishop is effectively saying, "Look, there is no absolute truth when it comes to homosexuality. It is open to interpretation and well-meaning people can disagree but still worship together." What part of the word "abomination" is unclear? If you want to be a church that dwells in the pit of moral relativism that is your choice...not God's. Pick a side. You can't have it both ways. No church of Jesus Christ is big enough to teach some truth and some lies.

Finally, the bishop gives us a glimpse into his heart. "More homosexual policies may help the denomination grow." Ahhh, there we go. So, one of two things is going on here, in my opinion. This bishop may be cut out of the same cloth as Joel Osteen or Rick Warren. I will tell the people what they want to hear so they won't stop coming. I will loosen the truth enough that more will come to have their ears tickled. I want numbers to grow so that I may be glorified and my position may be enhanced.

That's one possibility but if I had to guess...something else may be going on. This bishop likely knows a number of people who practice homosexuality and who are Christians. (Can you be both? Yes...but there should be continual conviction by the Holy Spirit.) So, he sees these God-loving people who are committed to the church and his human mind is unable to reconcile them with God's label of "abomination". They seem to be so genuine in their love and relationships, that it just can't be wrong. So he has to come up with another way to reconcile this with Scripture. So, God is "still speaking" and teaching him new things. There is room for new viewpoints in the ELCA. And yet, I imagine at the end of the day, his spirit remains quite restless with all of this. Being out of step with the Lord is never a place where one can find peace and comfort. So, he rationalizes further and states that it will increase numbers. "Lord, surely you would agree that is a good thing? Right?" Hoping to quiet the inner turmoil he grasps onto something that can qualify as good in God's eyes. Yet, we know that God is interested in our hearts and not what comes from our lips. He is interested in a faithful remnant...not self-seeking masses. Oh what a dangerous wide path we travel down when we exchange the truth for a lie. My prayers are with Bishop Hanson and the ELCA church.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/09/24/homosexuality-as-dividing-line-the-inescapable-issue/