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Yes, we are responsible to the world in-so-far as to advocate for ‘right and wrong’. The point I was expressing is that it is negative to what would be a spiritual goal to stand next to the people expressing social and cultural goals. To partner with someone in an objective who desires a much different intention and outcome. That if it truly were a spiritual objective it would need to be done completely in that spirit, not polluted by any sign-waving hate-mongers. Not to say that they all are hate-mongers, but I use that for reference, because there are hate-mongers in that crowd. All any observer could see is the negative in you when you mix your goals with them, I’m suggesting the imprudence of that.

Speaking of goals, what’s important is like you said, that He loves (us).

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PS: as i look back on my trip to rome, jesus would have most def have encountered homosexual activity, since many of the artifacts that i saw that had older men and younger men as lovers came from the same time period jesus walked on earth. remember, nothing is new under the sun (except for maybe iphones and twitter).

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This may be opening another can of worms here, but some theologians argue that Jesus did indeed encounter same-sex relationships in his day. Some think his references to eunuchs refers (at least partly) to them. Perhaps; but I’m not completely convinced. Then there’s the reference to the Centurion who came to Jesus to ask for his slave’s healing. That word “pais” which we translate “slave” or “servant” literally means “boy”, and was used commonly to refer both to slaves and to younger male lovers. (Uh oh; I can feel the resistance rising.) I’m making no assertions here. Simply stating that it is possible — perhaps even likely, considering Roman occupation of Judea — that this was not unfamiliar to Jesus who lived among Gentiles. (Ever heard the phrase “Galilee of the Gentiles”?) But regardless of whether the biblical evidence is convincing or not, Jesus makes no reference to it, and heals the Centurion’s slave because of the man’s faith and hisown compassion. And whether we approve or not, THAT’S how we should respond as well: compassionately.

So to gay and lesbian men and women out there who, like the Centurion, place their faith in Jesus, just know that He loves you, He accepts you and will never reject you — regardless of what society (or even church-people) think about it.

Hey David, thanks for chiming in. Like you, I’m not much on the Church becoming activist and trying to be a driving force in society. As individuals and citizens, we have the duty to vote our consciences, even protest if necessary. Hey, our Founding Fathers fought a war for what they believed. But it wasn’t a “church action”. As others have pointed out, Jesus did say that his Kingdom was not of this world. If it had been, he would have set up his throne in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

Our roles as citizens of a democracy aside, as Believers our job is shine. To show love. To show mercy where it is not deserved, and compassion even when we disapprove. In a word, to be like our Father who is kind even to ungrateful and evil men.

What would he do indeed? He lived in a time just as corrupt as this one, something about things being common, Romans were a pretty culturally bankrupt people. I’m sure there was much mention of boy-lovers in those days. So, you can read what he would do, I think that he would do now what he did then. From what comes to mind I think that as far as he got into it was usually just to say not to do it… Then he would focus on what was truly important. Which is to spread a fertilizer over all, rather than manually tend only one area.

You chose some great passages for representation of the issue. I particularly enjoy the last one, the reference to all of us being accepted by God. I wish it would be interesting to the protesters, that both they are accepted by God and those they protest against. Interesting because they’re sinners completely focused on other sinners when the ideal would be for sinners to be focused on God.

I believe that’s what God wants first, our focus on him. It especially comes before protest of social issues which can become idols of the heart. With life in general it’s very easy to get caught up in things that aren’t important to us, or focusing on unimportant issues of something very important to us. That’s why forgiveness exists… I know that’s why it exists for me!

I can just see my pastor explaining to me all of the reasons why staying with your ministry trumps going cross-country to dispute social issues as a mob. Partnering spiritually with un-spiritual people who have in mind not edification, but social agendas. It would share the same argument as being equally yoked for a married couple.

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