As men and women who have experienced same-sex attraction in our own lives and who still strive to live chastely in accordance with traditional Christian teaching, the members of Zacchaeus Fellowship are gravely concerned by the motions before Synod that would bless and affirm same-sex unions.
Contrary to what is implicitly suggested by the recent direction of our Anglican Church of Canada, not all persons with same-sex attractions want these attractions affirmed. We are especially concerned for those whom we describe as “silent sufferers” in the pews. These are the many individuals who adhere to the traditional Christian teaching on sexuality and wish for the church neither to condemn them as persons nor to encourage them to act on those same-sex attractions. To approve Resolution A186 or A187 would pull the rug out from under such people.
Please be warned that the current controversy is not simply about inclusion of those who are in same-sex unions. While we concur with the consensus to include all persons in our church, we believe a misperception has arisen, namely, that accepting persons of homosexual orientation must lead to the accepting of same-sex unions/marriages. In fact, no one is excluded from our church because of sexual orientation; the rite of baptism includes us all.
Recently the Reverend Canon Michael Patterson, director of evangelism in the Diocese of Niagara, was quoted in the Toronto Star (June 2, 2007) as indicating that same-sex marriage is the law of the land and that the church needs to accept that reality or risk becoming irrelevant. He also said, “We need to be the face of the church in the world, and I fear that we are losing that opportunity.”
In fact, to be the face of the church in the world, we need to be proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and his transforming power in people’s lives. The church should focus on what God accomplishes through the person of Christ and not let secular law dictate church discipline. While same-sex marriage is the law of the land, it is contrary to Scripture, Tradition, and good solid Christian reason.
I’m convinced that the greatest tragedy of the current apostasy in mainline denominations and within evangelicalism in the so-called “emerging church” is that faithful Christians who experience same-sex attraction and yet choose to live in obedience to Scripture and traditional church-teaching are lambasted as sorry “self-hating” people who just need to get over it. In conversations at Asbury Seminary, I’ve commented that if anyone is really oppressed it’s not homosexuals – it’s the ex-gays and those who choose a life of celibacy. The world treats these people like they’re at the best dishonest and at the worst, mentally ill. The new ambiguity and flat-out heresy on sexual matters in various churches is now destroying another place where the decisions for celibacy and the experiences of transformation of these faithful Christians can be affirmed.
As a man who led much of my adult life in the gay lifestyle and attended one of the most liberal Episcopal churches on the Left Coast, I longed to know how they could be Christian and yet condone or even bless homosexual behavior. After a while, I found that it wasn’t they had discovered a new way of interpreting Scriptures, they simply changed words of the Bible so as not of offend Jews and gays. Some clergy even deny the Resurrection and the Virgin Birth. They have confused being loving and welcoming with condoning and blessing. Their denial of Christ, or making Him optional, was what opened my eyes….for in the midst of seeking approval of that lifestyle, I know that it is only through Christ and His death on the cross that I have any hope….my only Mediator and Advocate with the Father.
This evening I turned on the news and saw a report on today’s Gay Pride parade in Los Angeles. I felt such sadness. One of the most telling aspects of those fighting to change Scripture and condone homosexual behavior is their attitude of —“Accept me the way I am or forget it.” “Don’t try to change me…I don’t need to be fixed.” Defiance, pride, and arrogance has no place in the presence of the almighty God. It is a complete denial of the Baptismal Covenant. Our attitude should be the opposite. We are called to repentance, to “turn around”….submit our lives and wills to Christ, not ours. It means acknowledging our sin, our need to be healed and fixed, and conform our lives to Christ-like behavior. Our posture should be on our knees, not defiant insistence that God accept us the way we are. Yes, God takes us as we are, but then He transforms us into the people He desires us to be. I don’t believe God creates gay people anymore than He creates people to be born blind, without hands or feet, deaf, or mentally ill….or any of a number conditions people are born with each day which is evidence of human sin and the Fall. Some of these can be fixed or repaired. Others must rely on Christ’s words, “My power is made perfect in your weakness.” God claims first position, and those who insist on their own way run the risk of breaking the First Commandment by putting themselves before Him.
I realize this is politically incorrect, but that’s frequently the case when you decide to follow Christ. Jesus’ obedience to the Father led him to the cross. And I have come to understand that until my journey is more difficult than what He did for me, then I have nothing to complain about.
Bless their hearts. May Christ sustain and strengthen them in their respective journeys.