Sure, they have a few more bodies involved. And the occasional video.
But for the most part, the Stand To Reason blog is trying something not unlike what we’re attempting here: to reach out generally to the evangelical community by encouraging biblical solutions to modern issues with a focus on the person of Jesus Christ.
Not to mention that they probably do it a little more graciously than we do.
But for the most part, the Stand To Reason blog is trying something not unlike what we’re attempting here: to reach out generally to the evangelical community by encouraging biblical solutions to modern issues with a focus on the person of Jesus Christ.
Not to mention that they probably do it a little more graciously than we do.
Not surprising I would
like them then, is it?
This post is typical. Alan Shlemon makes a solid, logical point, but he bothers to bolster his reasoning with passing reference to a scripture I hadn’t thought about applying in this context.
He says:
“There are thousands of men and women who have overcome homosexuality (and yes, even had their attractions change). This can be known through at least three lines of evidence: an ancient report of change in the Bible (from the city of Corinth), the testimonies of thousands and men and women who have experienced change, and secular scientific research that found sexual orientation/attractions can change.”
Reference to the “secular scientific research” Shlemon mentions may be found here. But that’s a bonus, not the main course. The word of God on the subject is more
than enough for me.
As the apostle Paul put it so many years ago:
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Shlemon is careful not to say more than Paul says: not every Christian has his or her attractions or inclinations change. Rather, they have had their behaviour, their understanding of the world and of themselves, their goals and their priorities change. Apparently that is enough.
What we feel does not have to determine what we do. It does not have to determine who we are. It is inclination, not identity.
What we feel does not have to determine what we do. It does not have to determine who we are. It is inclination, not identity.
It is possible to overcome homosexuality,
just as it is possible to overcome every addictive, besetting sin through the
Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.
For whatever its worth but my attitude towards this topic was strongly influenced by an extensive study on the topic of sexual orientation broadcast as a series of several one hour programs by PBS here in the USA a number of years ago. It was one of the most extensive studies ever conducted involving multiple disciplines like psychology, genetics, anthropology, sociology, biology, chemistry, etc.. It involved cultural studies, identical twin studies, upbringing, addiction, morality, religion, etc.. I have tried to locate this study in the meantime since it would nowadays be even more relevant but it seems to have mysteriously disappeared from PBS records. Perhaps someone else would know how to do that.
ReplyDeleteThe very significant final findings signed by all participating disciplines was that homosexuality is a learned and voluntary behavior. Even if ( and really none was found) there was an inborn proclivity towards that behavior, the conclusion was, if that was the case it only constitutes a slight and minor influence on a human being that can be overcome.
The very significant final conclusion by all disciplines that summarized all results was expressed in one sentence (slightly paraphrased from memory) namely, "It is concluded that nature is not cruel and cannot force an individual to do or become what they do not want to do or be." This conclusion was and still is correct in my opinion and confirmed what my own reasoning had allowed me to conclude already. I therefore see more recent efforts at defining such behavior as impossible to escape or overcome merely as an attempt by a biased segment of society to have their cake and eat it too.
I'm not a complete conspiracy theorist, but I can imagine there would be a few individuals at PBS and elsewhere with good reason to "disappear" a study like that.This more recent PBS offering suggests the network now leans in a more PC direction on that issue.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/genetics/nyreview.html