It is becoming increasingly clear that homosexuality will be a defining issue for the twenty-first century church, at least here in North America. It seems inevitable that same-sex marriage will soon be legalized across America; it has been the law in Canada for several years now. Meanwhile the acceptance and celebration of homosexuality is becoming a cultural shibboleth, a means of determining who has a voice worth hearing and who does not.
In the middle of all this is the Christian church which, since time immemorial, has held that the Bible forbids homosexuality. Is it time, as so many insist, for Christians to take a second look at the Bible, to get with the times, and to embrace homosexuality as a valid lifestyle, a valid expression of love and sexuality?
Many Christians feel threatened, like their backs are against the wall, and that this issue represents a major threat to their faith. But is it possible that Christians have been thinking about the issue all wrong? In his new book Love Into Light, Peter Hubbard asks, “What if homosexuality is not a threat but an opportunity?….”
[blockquote] “Many Christians feel threatened, like their backs are against the wall, and that this issue represents a major threat to their faith. But is it possible that Christians have been thinking about the issue all wrong? In his new book Love Into Light, Peter Hubbard asks, ‘What if homosexuality is not a threat but an opportunity? Could God use one of the most controversial moral issues in our nation to awaken His church rather than damage it?’ Is it possible that if we continue on our current trajectory, the church will soon be defined by what we are against, whom we oppose, and all the while the gospel will be lost in the fray?” [/blockquote]
The real question is, what sacrifices are Christians in America willing to make to stand up for God’s truth? Are they willing to lose their friends? Their jobs? Their businesses? To be imprisoned?
The last is not a hypothetical. The baker who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex ceremony (and in a state were same sex marriage is not yet recognized), is now facing the possibility of going to prison for a year for his refusal. http://www.examiner.com/article/colorado-baker-faces-year-jail-for-refusing-to-make-cake-for-gay-wedding
It’s one thing to say that we will love those around us and not act with hatred or bigotry. But it also means we must be willing to suffer persecution without retaliation.