Great post by Steve Pixler! I find his take on these issues to be refreshing and uncompromising. I also appreciate that he isn't placing homosexuality in a separate little sin category, and he isn't afraid to make statements that may be shocking to the church world.
...adultery and divorce are both results of a distorted view of love as the reason for marriage. When we buy into the notion that romantic love–most often little more than lust–is the reason to get married, then when love fades, we feel justified in slipping around with the neighbors wife since she stirs our passions so much more than that boring creature that gave birth to our children.
...Think about it now: we have justified adultery and divorce for years on the basis of love. “I don’t love her anymore.” So, divorce her. Marry the woman you love. “But she is my brother’s wife.” So? You love her. Break them up and marry her. Why not? I just think that if two people love each other, they should be able to marry each other. Right?
What do you think about the idea that heterosexuals are to blame for the breakdown of marriage and relationships? Essentially, he's saying that the same emotions or lusts that lead a homosexual couple to want to marry because they "love one another" would lead a married couple to divorce because they "fall out of love." In both cases, emotional decisions lead to sin.
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
I think we don't love the way we are suppose to love. Love is not an emotion, and it is unselfish. Most of us are selfish, the love of God is suppose to change that.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
The article makes the point that heterosexuals aren't valuing marriage anymore than homosexuals are. E.g., deciding to commit adultery and/or divorce over being "out of love" with someone is just as bad as choosing a gay relationship because you "love" them. Likewise, gay marriage can't devalue marriage anymore than heterosexuals (maybe especially Christians?) already have.
Mind you, I'm paraphrasing and adding my conclusions from the article; I'm not quoting SP.
How can we have such a knee-jerk reaction to gay marriage because it "destroys the sanctity of marriage" when, as a whole, the church has already failed to preserve the sanctity of marriage?
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
Great post by Steve Pixler! I find his take on these issues to be refreshing and uncompromising. I also appreciate that he isn't placing homosexuality in a separate little sin category, and he isn't afraid to make statements that may be shocking to the church world.
Originally Posted by Pixelated
...adultery and divorce are both results of a distorted view of love as the reason for marriage. When we buy into the notion that romantic love–most often little more than lust–is the reason to get married, then when love fades, we feel justified in slipping around with the neighbors wife since she stirs our passions so much more than that boring creature that gave birth to our children.
...Think about it now: we have justified adultery and divorce for years on the basis of love. “I don’t love her anymore.” So, divorce her. Marry the woman you love. “But she is my brother’s wife.” So? You love her. Break them up and marry her. Why not? I just think that if two people love each other, they should be able to marry each other. Right?
What do you think about the idea that heterosexuals are to blame for the breakdown of marriage and relationships? Essentially, he's saying that the same emotions or lusts that lead a homosexual couple to want to marry because they "love one another" would lead a married couple to divorce because they "fall out of love." In both cases, emotional decisions lead to sin.
This is why, for the most part, I try and stay out of the whole, "Should homosexuals have the right to marry?" debate. Most of these so called religious people and "christians" seem to be seriously blinded and hypocritical when they talk about this subject. At least that's the conclusion I come to from talking to people, and from reading etc.,
The argument that I usually hear, is that homosexuality is a sin, and an abomination before God, but when they're confronted with other issues in the bible, that are clearly laid out as sin, they excuse it away. Which just makes it seems like they just pick and choose what they want to obey, and they really have hatred towards the sinner (homosexuality) and use the bible to hide behind, or to justify their hatred.
When two couples are living together in fornication, not married, and have a child together, what do they say? "Oh, at least the father is in the child's life"
When they get an abortion? "She was too young to have a child, and it was a mistake."
When they commit adultery, and "steal" away someone's spouse? "That other man she was married to was no good for her anyway, and she didn't love him anymore, this one is much better for her."
When they lie? "Oh it's only a small lie, that won't hurt anybody."
Why is it, that some (most) feel that they can just explain away the bible and it's commandments, I'm constantly told over and over again, that we can't overcome sin, that we have to sin, we're human, that God put us on this earth to live life, and we have a right to life, yada yada, but when it comes to homosexuals, they are to forsake that sin, and leave it alone, to fight it, to overcome, and change?
Seems pretty hypocritical to me. No wonder that a lot of those who are gay, simply ignore a lot of what they say, and take it as "christian" ranting.
I hardly ever hear people talking about overcoming all sin, denying oneself, living a life for God, fighting carnality and sin, living a life of love and obedience, but I hear a plenty of homosexual bashing.
There's so much things in the bible that are to be preached, for and against, but the only thing they mainly focus on is how wrong being gay is. Because that sin don't hurt the majority of people, and you'll get a plenty of amens, but preach something that actually hurt people's flesh and you probably won't get too many new members...
Homosexuality is wrong, and is a sin, but so are a lot of other things in the bible.
__________________ Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
This is why, for the most part, I try and stay out of the whole, "Should homosexuals have the right to marry?" debate. Most of these so called religious people and "christians" seem to be seriously blinded and hypocritical when they talk about this subject. At least that's the conclusion I come to from talking to people, and from reading etc.,
The argument that I usually hear, is that homosexuality is a sin, and an abomination before God, but when they're confronted with other issues in the bible, that are clearly laid out as sin, they excuse it away. Which just makes it seems like they just pick and choose what they want to obey, and they really have hatred towards the sinner (homosexuality) and use the bible to hide behind, or to justify their hatred.
When two couples are living together in fornication, not married, and have a child together, what do they say? "Oh, at least the father is in the child's life"
When they get an abortion? "She was too young to have a child, and it was a mistake."
When they commit adultery, and "steal" away someone's spouse? "That other man she was married to was no good for her anyway, and she didn't love him anymore, this one is much better for her."
When they lie? "Oh it's only a small lie, that won't hurt anybody."
Why is it, that some (most) feel that they can just explain away the bible and it's commandments, I'm constantly told over and over again, that we can't overcome sin, that we have to sin, we're human, that God put us on this earth to live life, and we have a right to life, yada yada, but when it comes to homosexuals, they are to forsake that sin, and leave it alone, to fight it, to overcome, and change?
Seems pretty hypocritical to me. No wonder that a lot of those who are gay, simply ignore a lot of what they say, and take it as "christian" ranting.
I hardly ever hear people talking about overcoming all sin, denying oneself, living a life for God, fighting carnality and sin, living a life of love and obedience, but I hear a plenty of homosexual bashing.
There's so much things in the bible that are to be preached, for and against, but the only thing they mainly focus on is how wrong being gay is. Because that sin don't hurt the majority of people, and you'll get a plenty of amens, but preach something that actually hurt people's flesh and you probably won't get too many new members...
Homosexuality is wrong, and is a sin, but so are a lot of other things in the bible.
I'm constantly told over and over again, that we can't overcome sin, that we have to sin, we're human, that God put us on this earth to live life, and we have a right to life, yada yada, but when it comes to homosexuals, they are to forsake that sin, and leave it alone, to fight it, to overcome, and change?
I think you hit the nail on the head. It is a common misconception among Christians that God expects us to sin. He does not. Why? Because: 1)- he provided a way of escape from sin (1Cor 10:13), and 2)- we're being transformed by the Holy Ghost into the image of Christ (Ro 8:29) so that we are not sinners. In fact, I've yet to find anywhere in the NT where it says Christians cannot help but sin. I do find where we're expected to live a victorious life through the power of the Holy Spirit (1Jn 5:4; 1Cor 15:57). I do find that IF we sin, and confess our sin, we have an Advocate with the Father who will faithfully forgive our sin (1Jn 1:9). But the sin issue for the born-again believer is always treated as an "IF", not a "WHEN". Again, with EVERY temptation there is made a way of escape, that we be not overcome with the temptation (1Cor 10:13).
For a Christian to say- as you've heard stated above- that Christians CANNOT overcome sin and are expected to sin means that Christ's resurrection power in us is insufficient to change us. If that is the case, then they are serving the wrong God. They need to find one who CAN change them from sinners into saints. I know I found mine in Jesus Christ the Lord.
I think you hit the nail on the head. It is a common misconception among Christians that God expects us to sin. He does not. Why? Because: 1)- he provided a way of escape from sin (1Cor 10:13), and 2)- we're being transformed by the Holy Ghost into the image of Christ (Ro 8:29) so that we are not sinners. In fact, I've yet to find anywhere in the NT where it says Christians cannot help but sin. I do find where we're expected to live a victorious life through the power of the Holy Spirit (1Jn 5:4; 1Cor 15:57). I do find that IF we sin, and confess our sin, we have an Advocate with the Father who will faithfully forgive our sin (1Jn 1:9). But the sin issue for the born-again believer is always treated as an "IF", not a "WHEN". Again, with EVERY temptation there is made a way of escape, that we be not overcome with the temptation (1Cor 10:13).
For a Christian to say- as you've heard stated above- that Christians CANNOT overcome sin and are expected to sin means that Christ's resurrection power in us is insufficient to change us. If that is the case, then they are serving the wrong God. They need to find one who CAN change them from sinners into saints. I know I found mine in Jesus Christ the Lord.
Overall, the point is: we're missing the point. Wasting a lot of energy trying to stop gays from getting married is failing to address the root of the problem.
What I appreciate most about SP's article is his attempt to ferret out the real problem instead of blaming homosexuals for everything.
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
Overall, the point is: we're missing the point. Wasting a lot of energy trying to stop gays from getting married is failing to address the root of the problem.
What I appreciate most about SP's article is his attempt to ferret out the real problem instead of blaming homosexuals for everything.
Steve Pixler's blog and your assessment_________both offer good insight into an ongoing issue.
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"Le sens commun n'est pas si commun."
(Common sense is not so common.)
Voltaire
Common sense is genius dressed in working clothes.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.
William James
If Brother Pixlers blog is dealing with the Church then I heartly agree.
If however, this is his argument against the state making a change to allow homosexual marriage, I have a fundamental problem. I firmly believe that the Church needs to be working hard to eliminate the states validation of marriage in general. Marriage is a spiritual matter. We should not be applying to the state for validation.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Hybrid Mode
