Question:  Dear Greg,

            I just read one of your answers cautioning the reader on accepting biblical instruction from the unschooled.  In my opinion, that is HUGE and cannot be repeated often enough!  Thank you.

            What are we to believe about homosexuality?  I think it is unnatural and sinful to the core.  Of course, anyone dealing with this should be shown love and compassion, but how can it be tolerated in the church?  We are all sinners, but how can one receive Christ and turn away from sin while continuing a lifestyle of sin?  Isn’t “Gay Christian” an oxymoron?  There is much written to the contrary.  Please help.

            Steve

Answer:  Dear Steve,

            PTM believes and teaches that homosexuality is a sin.  There is, in our view, no way to “get around” biblical passages in both Old and New Testaments that clearly define the practice of homosexuality as sin.  All attempts to interpret/revise the Bible so that the practice of homosexuality is acceptable to God are less than genuine and do not adhere to accepted standards of biblical exegesis.  People who take such a view read their view into the Bible, rather than letting God’s Word speak to them.

            Having said that, we also believe:

1.      Homosexuality is not the “worst” sin.  Sins are not categorized—sin is sin. There are people who are homophobic and beyond that who hate homosexuals but who try to hide their hatred and contempt behind the Bible and Christianity.  This is not Christ-like according to the Bible.  Unfortunately it is not said enough or loudly enough, or when it is said, some Christians dismiss it as “liberalism” or “permissive” (perhaps in a similar way that the Pharisees dismissed Christ and his disciples).  Homosexuals are sinners, not only by the sinful nature that all humans have but, for those who are practicing homosexuality, by the very fact of their ungodly lifestyle.

2.      Homosexuals are not automatically living in sin--that is, there are some homosexuals who do not practice homosexuality.  PTM makes this important distinction, and we offer this comparison.  The Bible also clearly labels alcoholism a sin.  But, as we know, the most realistic and effective way for a recovering alcoholic to deal with their sin and addiction is not to deny that they have that problem and inclination, but to speak of themselves as a “recovering” alcoholic, or as they do in AA, “Hi, I’m Joe, and I’m an alcoholic.”

We are not saying that this analogy is perfect, and we are not, in every way, comparing homosexuality with alcoholism.  As we know, at some point analogies always break down.  We are saying that it is possible to be a Christian and a homosexual—that is, a recovering homosexual.  It is not possible to be a Christian and a practicing homosexual.  We agree with you that “active homosexual Christian” is an oxymoron.

            The church, the body of Christ, must not compromise on this issue.  We must speak the truth in love regardless of political pressure from either viewpoint.  I hope this gives you some direction as to what we see as a biblical response to this issue.  May God bless you.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht