A Response to a Spectrum Magazine Article

The following is a response I posted on an article over at Spectrum Magazine, a very worldly Adventist website.

Ok...there's a lot here to talk about. As a fundamental Adventist I am in opposition to much of the content of this post. That being said, I'm in favor of the loving attitude toward the homosexual community, as we're called to love all mankind.

"We received a few emails from LGBT students on campus, sharing that we had offered them some hope for returning to church."

Firstly, was this "hope for returning to church" because they feel that you were accepting and condoning their lifestyle? If so, you've done them a great disservice. If you love them, help them to see that living a homosexual lifestyle is a sin and will eventually destroy their souls.

Secondly, what does the term "returning to church" entail? Does it mean being official members of the church even though continually and unabashedly living a sinful lifestyle? I am in agreement with Pastors who refuse to baptize someone who chooses not to quit smoking, so you can imagine my response to baptizing someone who chooses not to quit a homosexual lifestyle.

We should accept everyone in the church, including those who refuse to give up a sinful lifestyle, but we should not baptize them as members until they decide to surrender to Christ's will.

That all being said, we are all sinners and all fall into various temptations and trials...but that is a very different story than purposefully choosing to continue in a sin.

"One theology student wore a self-made tee-shirt the next day partially quoting 1 Corinthians 6:9: “Do not be deceived…homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.” No one asked him to change his shirt."

Do you really endorse taking away some one's freedom of speech? Would you actually have preferred that someone made this kid change his shirt? That's scary. Aren't you happy that the campus, though hopefully opposed to the practice of homosexuality, let's you conduct these discussions where viewpoints are voiced that are obviously opposed by many Adventists? Isn't it fair that those whose views differ from yours should be allowed to make their statements as well, whether it be in a large group discussion or on their T-shirt?

Secondly, does the fact that the Scripture was partially quoted change the meaning of the portion that is quoted? Of course not, it only cuts out the portions that aren't being debated. In its entirety it reads, "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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Does the fact that the Bible says that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God change whether we list the whole passage? No. But indeed, anyone who does not repent (confess, sorrowfully, and turn away from) of these sins will not make it to heaven, whether idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards...whatever your sin of choice happens to be.

"David Ferguson, Fritz Guy and David Larson edited the book Christianity and Homosexuality: Some Seventh-day Adventist Perspectives, in which both John Jones and Fritz Guy argued that the church should not look on all forms of homosexuality as sinful, but should affirm and embrace same-sex couples."

Wow. I know it shouldn't, but it STILL shocks me to hear how some in the Adventist church can so blatantly oppose God's plain word. That's like saying that 'if some one's having sex outside of marriage but they plan on staying together forever, no problem. We should affirm and embrace them. We shouldn't tell them that they are living in sin and if they don't repent from that sin they will perish.' Condoning sin is NOT loving the sinner. If we love them we should encourage them to turn away from sin and towards Christ.

"several faculty members (including Fritz Guy, John R. Jones and Sam Leonor) at La Sierra endorsed “Adventist Against Prop 8.”"

Firstly, I'm saddened that Sam Leanor took that position, from watching "Hey Everybody" it seemed like he has his stuff together.

Secondly, I have a post regarding the Adventist position on Prop 8 at http://oursword.blogspot.com/2009/02/adventists-vs-same-sex-marriage.html where I talk about the ramifications of Adventists going against prop 8.

"One faculty member at La Sierra, when talking to me about the prospect of a discussion like that at LSU, said, “I doubt many students here would give a damn.”"

Does it concern you at all to hear Christians using language like that? Does it ever raise a red flag?

"If we worship the same God, then surely we realize that we cannot carry out the mission of God as the body of Christ if this body is divided. But no, Christ is not divided."

Ellen White is clear that there will indeed be a dividing in the church..."the shaking" as she called it, when all those within the church who oppose the truth will leave because of the persecution.

Like I said in the beginning, I am a traditional Adventist, probably because I have only been an Adventist for 4 years. I hope you'll apply your tolerance to me and my fundamental Adventist views as readily as you apply it to homosexuals. :-)

Todd G. (oursword.blogspot.com)