I have always adhered to the traditional view by the Church of gender and sexuality.
That view has changed.
I’ll recap why I took this journey, how I got here, and then clearly state where “here” is.
Why I took this journey
I’ve come to know people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex. That’s opened my eyes to their reality.
That reality can often include isolation, shame, and hopelessness.
I know that hopelessness, in and of itself, does not require a reversal of an established hermeneutic (hermeneutic = a method or theory of biblical interpretation).
But it also does not preclude re-examination of an established hermeneutic.
Same sex attracted and transgender people are equal image-bearers of God… equal in value to every other person.
How I got here, part 1
Roughly three years ago I began reading everything I could find from the orthodox and celibate same-sex attracted (SSA) Christian community. I was most impacted by the SpiritualFriendship.org community, out of which has recently grown the Revoice community.
These deeply committed celibate Christians taught me and moved me deeply. I learned that people don’t choose their sexual wiring. I also learned that gay Christians carry unique and lonely burdens.
Many successfully process these burdens within the context of a celibate life, which conforms to their understanding of Scripture and their conscience.
But many are unable to do this.
How I got here, part 2
Realizing how many SSA Christians desire to be “Side B” (celibate), yet are unable to stay the course of chastity, caused me to begin searching for the other side of the argument.
Because there’s always another side of the argument.
Many gay Christians who believe they ought to be celibate still find that they “burn with passion” (1 Cor 7:9)… a burning that is (just like for straight people) a burning and yearning for the commitment and physical intimacy that is unique to marriage.
I realized that the Apostle Paul did not require celibacy. (At least for heterosexual people.) He seemed to say that even though celibacy was better (a position not shared by most of the Church today), it was not a sustainable solution for many.
In other words, celibacy wasn’t something that one could just do.
So what about the same-sex attracted who “burn” for the same marital intimacy that heterosexual people have? Are they required by Scripture to mandatory celibacy?
This caused me to research afresh the best examples of affirming hermeneutics, and the best arguments against these by respected Evangelical scholars.
So, where is “here?”
“Here” is a belief that the Scriptures not only allow for gay marriage, but encourage it as a good and beautiful gift from God.
Why did I feel the need to go public with this?
Simple. I have a Christian sibling who is part of the LGBTQ community. Recently, I was in their home, visiting with their spouse and precious little toddler.
We talked of our mutual love for our Savior, Jesus. We enjoyed sweet fellowship.
I had almost forgotten that most of my other Christian friends… people I love deeply… would view their family as an abomination.
They would never have attended the wedding of this couple. They would never be fully accepted within the church.
Also, in 28 states in our country, it is legal to deny them housing and a job based upon their sexual orientation.
I have an obligation, Scripturally, to publicly stand with my friends.
Choosing to affirm gay marriage will possibly cost me some distancing from dear Evangelical friends. It almost cost Eugene Peterson (The Message) his entire life’s legacy. It forced him to a hurried retraction.
The cost, and pain, if that happens to me, will be great. A permanent scar.
But I trust God to heal me. I trust God to bring me joy in the new path. New fellow-travelers.
Finally…
“to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” (Martin Luther)
Further reading
Though I’ve read much more on “both sides”… I’d recommend these two, in this order:
1. This is the article that Eugene Peterson (The Message) privately referred people to on the issue:
What is marriage now? A Pauline case for same-sex marriage:
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2014-10/what-marriage-now
2. This book rocked the evangelical world a few years ago, and elicited much scholarly pushback. I’ve read the best of that pushback. In my opinion, it does not come close to destroying or crippling the author’s research:
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F1W0RD2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
At Rest In Him 