Homosexuality

Government involvement
George W. Bush said, "Marriage is a sacred institution." So if marriage is indeed a sacred institution (and I believe it is), then why is the government involved?

Biblical reference
The old testament does speak to the issue of homosexuality about 7 times. It is interesting that we have no record of Jesus never addressing the issue. I am sure Jesus came across the issue during his earthly ministry. But what did he choose to address or who did he come down on? "... the self righteous, religious elite, the rich, and the powerful." It is interesting the Jesus did address divorce and remarriage in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:31-32). I do believe there are a few and I emphasize few situations when divorce is the correct route. However it seems in our Christian culture we come down hard on homosexuals and make light of the divorce issue when this is more common in Christian circles than homosexual issues are.

A young woman once came into her college chaplain's office crying because she had been outed. The word was around campus that she was a lesbian. She knew that it was only a matter of time  before the news would get back to her father who was ones of those austere preachers who, with fair regularity, would bash gays and lesbians with his use of Scripture and preach against them from the pulpit. She said, "When my father faint out I'm homosexual, he's going to reject me. I know that. And i've got to tell him because it's going to get back to him, and I'd rather be the ones who tells him."

The college chaplain said, "You don't have to tell him. I'll tell him. You sit right there." He picked up the phone, dialed up this preacher and said, "your daughter's here in my office. Over the last two years, she's has proven to be ones of the best Christians we have on campus. She leads a Bible study group that I understand is the most faithful attend and most effective bible study her at our school. She's also on the worship team that leads the chapel services here at the college. I have to say that she is a living testimony to what Jesus wants a hong Christian woman to be."

The father immediately took off with an enthusiastic response. "That's my daughter," he said. "When she's home during the summer months, the youth program really picks up. She gets more teenagers to come to our youth group during the summer than attend during any other time in the year. She visits the elderly and makes hospital calls. People talk nonstop about what a saint she is."

The chaplain interrupted and said, "Then we're agreed. Your daughter is a wonderful Christian woman- and in the next thirty seconds I am going to find out whether you are worthy to be called her father."

John 3:17 "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

-Thoughts and story from Red Letter Revolution p. 127-136