Should You Bake the Cake?

The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender) political movement is no friend to traditional Christianity. There is little doubt that in order to promote their political movement, the LGBT radicals have no compunction in denying to Christians the rights of free exercise of religion and free speech. I have read many of their articles and listened to their arguments. Their narrative is that because Christians view their sexual preference/activity as immoral, Christianity is a religion of hate.

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Words from a Bearded Man

I have read Phil Robertson’s remarks. I have watched the subsequent responses from A&E and the gay community.

The truth is that crude language about sexuality is common. People tend to refer to themselves in an “earthy” way. Phil talks like my dad and granddad did. My reading of the prophets reveals that even they, under divine inspiration, spoke with crude words to emphasize the depths of Israel’s sin. Too often our proper English translations of the Scriptures rob the inspired words of their intended grit. That is the language which is being suppressed. How dare we speak of one’s sexuality as sinful! How dare Phil Robertson associate homosexuality with bestiality? How dare we define marriage as a civil covenant between one man and one woman?

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Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality – A Review

I have served as a pastor for more than thirty years. The most difficult issues I have faced have been matters of love. Time after time I have talked with people who have been deeply hurt by the people they love and trust most. These issues of love, devotion, affection, attraction, and sexuality are the dirty secrets that have consumed a great deal of my time as a shepherd of God’s people. Love may be bliss, but it is fraught with difficulty and pain. Consider the many painful situations associated with love and sex:

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Chick-fil-A, Sex, and Pastoral Care

Too often our PASSION about righteousness turns to ANGER and our anger gives way to HATE. May God help us to be passionate about LOVE so that we may be PATIENT, KIND, and GENTLE.

I posted the above quote on Facebook this week in response to the myriad of posts regarding the Chick-fil-A controversy. I support the free speech of Dan Cathy and of the hundreds of thousands who offered a peaceful protest by eating at Chick-fil-A. I also support the free speech of those who are opposed to my view. After all, free speech is reciprocal. If we are going to have a serious civic conversation, then we must be willing to allow all sides to be engaged in the discussion.

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Grace for Sexual Sin

I’ve learned some things about sin: (1) all have sinned; (2) we are often happy to talk about someone else’s sin; (3) those sins that directly affect us tend to get overlooked, or excused; and (4) eventually we stop talking about sin because we are uncomfortable with our sinfulness, and we don’t want to be accused of being judgmental toward others. This is especially true when it comes to sexual sin. However, the truth remains that sin is the condition of humanity – all of us. And, there is a remedy for sin.

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The President, Homosexuality, and the Log in our Eye

“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:2-5).

OK, so the President supports homosexual marriage (no surprise here). All over the Internet I’ve read posts, blogs, articles, Facebook conversations, etc. of Christians tripping over themselves trying to be fair, sensitive, discerning, and tolerant. When the citizens of North Carolina voted overwhelmingly to reject homosexual marriage, some Christians suggested that because of an increasingly pluralistic society it is inappropriate to “coerce” through legislation a morality that is derived from our faith tradition. To that I would reply that the purpose of all legislation is to encourage or “coerce” civic morality, and civic morality should reflect the highest good.

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