Jan. 16 issue
Change is a blessing
By Bill Klassen Hutchinson, Kan.Responding to “Should One Issue Define Us?” (Nov. 28), Ron Stucky (Viewpoint, Dec. 12) says, “It should not surprise us that in the future those who are against homosexual behavior will become a minority.” For many this would be a blessing: breaking down barriers of hate, suspicion and myth about the gay community in general.
That Mennonites believe in the authority of the scriptures must certainly be taken with a grain of salt. After all, we have no pope to prescribe policy and dictate response. Stucky says, “The problem lies with those who take Scripture out of context or try to twist or distort it to suit their own desires.”
We have no problem with Jesus’ command against sexual immorality, except for humanity’s sinful nature. Considering God’s creation, “making man in his own image” and proclaiming it good, who can say that a person born with homosexual tendencies is being disobedient to Jesus’ command? With 10 percent of our population born with these tendencies, where and what is the definition of immorality? Where does Jesus’ admonition to love (be tolerant) fit into our concept of the scriptures? Who is taking what scripture out of context?
Comments
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I think its pretty clear that when God created man in his own image, in Genesis, man was free of sin and everything was proclaimed “good“ Genesis 1:31. As everything was created as “good” so was the unity between man and woman as God intended, Genesis 2:23-25. It should also be noted that Homosexuality only appears after the fall, and only in negative ways, never as positive or acceptable. It is a shame the Mennonite Church is moving in this direction, but I guess “the gate is wide that leads to destruction” Matthew 7:13. Believing Homosexuality is a sin has nothing to do with hate or politics, it more comes for a desire to live a life honoring God more then honoring the flesh. It is no different then any other sin that needs to be repented of, 2 Corinthians 12:21.
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Bill,
Jared’s comments clearly put the sin of Homosexuality in Biblical perspective. Your use of the word tolerant indicates you are aware homosexuality is sinful, but the love of Jesus would have us tolerate it.
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