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In recent news concerning church events, this week it turns out another slow shift makes a move inside the American Evangelical world. In a forum that took place in San Francisco last Sunday, the typically controversial speaker and Evangelical leader Rob Bell has played another controversial card.
He now publicly endorsed gay marriage.
(Take a look for yourself in the below cited articles.) 1Attending a forum at Grace Cathedral, the massive Episcopal church located in San Fran, Rob Bell was asked about his stance on the hot moral issue that rages throughout our culture at the moment. With various CPAC speakers, great Hollywood stars, and no small amount of depraved humanity in general, all slowly changing sides, I fear personally that we have reached the climax of the battle inside our own borders: The visible church of America. It is largely a lost battle outside in the secular world. Now it has come to us, the last line of moral defense.
When asked by leading dean Dr. Jane Shaw about the issue of gay marriage, (knowing full well her own congregation is admittedly "inclusive,") Rob Bell responded with these words:
"Yes, I am for marriage. I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it's a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think that the church needs to just … this is the world that we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are." 2
For the moment, I will disregard Bell's previous heresies in regard to universalism, and deal with this issue simply. And I would make two points.
The first: The Bible is clearly condemning of homosexuality, naming it a sin.
The second: Simply because something sounds good, or pleasant, or wise, doesn't make it true, or right.
Among other sins, homosexuality is condemned in Scripture. I will only name a few places where it is discussed in the Holy Scriptures, but I hope a few will make a clear enough case.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." -1st Cor. 6:9-10
Paul makes a blatant statement here, and it is not a pleasant of enjoyable one, but no less infallible. He pointedly claims that people who indulge in these types of unrepentant sins, those not repenting of these deeds and putting faith in Christ, will not see the Kingdom of God. Ouch. I fail to see much room for debate here, my friends.
In addition;
"But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals [and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching," -1 Timothy 1:8-10
Here, Apostle Paul tells Timothy that the Law, the weapon of God made to condemn evil, was aimed for the rebellious, and those still in sin. Then, he goes on to list who exactly such people are. Ouch again. If you see a misinterpretation of such a simple, clear, pointed statement, please, feel free to let me know.
In addition to these, the Scriptures mention other condemnations of such practices. Look below if you seek more. 3
Brothers and sisters, what else can I say? Do you have a thought? Can there be much room for misinterpretation, or abuse, of these passages? All of them? I certainly am open to discussion. But until such evidence can be furnished, I must conclude that Scripture heavily condemns homosexuality.
This also means that Rob Bell, already far gone astray, continues to lead millions more astray with him, in his lies and deceptions, and becomes a high false teacher. Not only that, but I personally fear he has started much worse than a simple ripple this time: He now is on the forefront of the world's assault on the church, raging against us to make us bend to it's will. Now within the church, I fear, in coming months, and years, we will see the battle for homosexuality rage. And just a layer underneath it, the battle of the truth of Scripture and God Almighty. I ask, where do you stand? And, for or against (I make no division), have you made sure yours is grounded on Scripture as much as it can be? This is no longer simply about homosexuals having their way. This is about destroying the Scriptures, and their credibility.
I hope to address my second point in a future post, and follow this topic as it progresses. God bless, my friends.
~Alex
Phil. 4:13
1. a) http://www.christianpost.com/news/rob-bell-supports-same-sex-marriage-says-he-is-for-fidelity-and-love-92064/
b) http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Rob-Bell-supports-same-sex-marriage
2. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/rob-bell-voices-support-gay-marriage
3. Romans 1:25-27, Leviticus 20:13
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