Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/92

Contributor - John Opmeer

Title - Christian Responses to Social Issues - Homosexuality

Topic - Homosexulaity

"Preach the Truth, Namely that Homosexuality is a Tragedy" - Dr. John White, Psychiatrist

"And such were some of you..." - Cor. 6:11 by John Opmeer

Introduction

In the previous two articles we have attempted to document the astonishing agenda of the gay rights movement, and the strategies being used to further that agenda. We have witnessed the phenomenal success of the gay lobby, and the almost total collapse of societal resistance against theretofore unacceptable and illegal behaviour. There seems, therefore, no motive or reason for the gay lobby to abandon its relentless assault on the moral foundations of Western civilization until it has accomplished all its goals and achieved the full cooperation of the major institutions of society - government, political parties, labour, industry, the media, arts and entertainment, the scientific community, education, the courts and religion. Of all these, the basic cooperation of all but one seems already in place. The only institution that could stand in the way of an all-out sweep by the gay rights movement is the religious community. And by no means only the Christian church!

Strong opposition to the gay agenda has been coming from more than one religious tradition. The religious community - no matter how diverse - is the only institution that might have moral convictions that do not derive from popular opinion. Moreover, it shares a long tradition of going against the stream, and being willing to pay the price.

In this article, we will examine the response of the Christian church - that part of the religious community in Canada with which we are most familiar. In a concluding article we hope to deal with the God-given challenge to our churches arising out of the phenomenon of homosexuality.

The Response of the Church to the Gay Agenda

From surrender to homophobia

From "Affirm" to "Exodus',

The church's response to the gay agenda and strategy has been clearly mixed and, on the whole, regrettably ineffective. It can be summarized under five headings.

1. Affirmation - "I don't see anything wrong with them."

Outright acceptance, often including participation, marks the response of minor part of the church. In many denominations, groups of homosexuals have organized themselves, for purposes of fellowship, support and lobbying. "Dignity" (R.C.), "Integrity" (Anglican) and "Affirm" (United) are examples of such groups. In addition, a new denomination has been formed specifically to minister to the needs of homosexuals and to celebrate their lifestyle as God-given: the Metropolitan Community Church.

Homosexual Christian groups have played a significant role in more than one way. They provide a welcome often sadly lacking in most Christian churches. They have been trying to interpret the gay perspective to their denominations. And they have had a measurable effect in weakening the resistance of the church to the gay rights agenda.

Lobbying efforts may take various forms, such as letter writing, and may include the use of intimidation. An example of the latter is the tactic employed by "Dignity" in the city of New York. Once a month it sponsors a "stand-in" at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Members stand with their backs to the pulpit during the entire sermon!

Homosexual church groups may also play a role in shaping public policy. Consider the most recent ruling by the C.R.T.C. After a seemingly promising delay, the C.R.T.C. has now decided after all - to ban all negative references to homosexuality from radio and TV. shows produced in Canada. To the best of my information, it was the gay organization within the Presbyterian Church in Canada that originally requested the C.RTC. to take this action.

The Scripture that captures, for me, this part of the response is: "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (Romans 1:25).

2. Passive Acceptance - "They can't help being that way."

A much larger group in the church has concluded that, whatever their personal feelings, they have no choice but to accept a good part of the homosexual ideology. I would not be surprised if a number of you fit under this heading. The motivation here is often commendable. There may be a real desire to understand and love homosexuals as people made in the image of God. Such efforts are gratefully accepted by the homosexual community, on condition of the acceptance of the homosexual self perception, namely that theirs is a variant of acceptable sexual behaviour.

I have noticed again and again how successful the rhetoric of the gay lobby has been, even in the church. So many Christians now seem to take for granted that men and women involved in a homosexual lifestyle were created that way by God. That being "the case", they have also found a way around the Scriptural warnings against homosexual behaviour, by dismissing them altogether as culture-bound or applying them exclusively to male prostitutes or homosexual activity by heterosexuals! The inevitable outcome of such surrender to the homosexual ideology is the eventual full acceptance of homosexual brothers and sisters in the life and ministry of the church.

When I was in The Netherlands during 1990 1 noticed that most of the literature circulating in the Reformed Church there exemplifies this compromising position. Needless to say, the leadership in the United Church of Canada seems inclined the same way.

I am reminded of Jesus' warning to the ancient church in Thyatira, "I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel who... is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice immorality" (Revelations 2:20).

3. Confusion - "I know what the Bible says, but ..."

Overlapping in part with the previous group this segment of the church feels uncertain as to what to think of homosexuals and consequently, tries perhaps to ignore the subject. They are agonizing equally about the clear instructions of Scripture on the one hand, and the case for fairness brought forward by the gay lobby on the other.

They have heard it said that we are not to judge other people (true, but we ARE called to judge behaviour); that God loves gay people too (true, but that does not imply approval of gay activity); that Jesus never condemned gays (true, but neither did He 'condemn child-molesters). They feel a deep sense of guilt over a strong negative response to the gay agenda, and yet feel also uncomfortable with the thought that God is the author of the gay orientation!

The apostle Paul had people like this in mind when he wrote about Christians who are like "children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles" (Eph. 4:14). And his antidote is equally valid, "Let no one deceive you with empty words" (Eph.5:6).

4. Rejection - "I am sick and tired of them

At the opposite end of the spectrum, some in the church have rejected homosexuality and homosexuals alike. They don't want them in the church. They want to have nothing to do with them. This response may have been stronger one or two decades ago, but it is no doubt still alive in the church. There is a hostility and disgust for homosexuals that goes beyond the firm rejection of sin. There is a singling out of homosexual behaviour as if it is "the" sin. I am not sure how often the gay term "homophobic" applies even here, for I see more judgment and name-calling than fear. There is no doubt that this response is unworthy of the Christian church! Not only is there indeed a judgmental attitude, but also obvious pride in not being "like them".

Jesus' words, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1), must be heard loud and clear! And also Paul's admonition, "Let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall " (1 Cor. 1 0: 1 2).

5. Reaching Out - "I want to help them..."

By the grace of God, a part of the church is reaching out to homosexuals as brothers and sisters in need of acceptance, in need of repentance, in need of forgiveness and in need of healing. They gladly welcome them to the church as the community where we all live by God's grace. A welcome, however, not to be affirmed in a lifestyle, and not only to be comforted, but to be discipled and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is realized that healing may take a long time, and that a breaking of habits is seldom achieved overnight. But hope is offered that healing is possible, and that a person's "orientation" can be changed from homosexual to hetero!

For a good number of Christians this is the way they feel, even though they have not dared or seen opportunity to be involved in actually reaching out. Others, however, and particularly those who have personally struggled with homosexual desires, have accepted the risk and become active in a ministry of love and compassion.

Many such ministries have been launched over the years. "Exodus International" is an umbrella organization for the more than 75 ex-gay ministries worldwide. It is dedicated "to leading homosexuals out of bondage and into a liberating union with Jesus Christ". Such ministries are invariably attacked by those in group 1, who believe that homosexuality is a "lifestyle" to be celebrated, not a problem to be cured. The attack includes a discrediting of the "cure" rate, variously estimated between 33% and 60% for those sincerely seeking help and at least as successful as for those suffering from addiction to alcohol and seeking deliverance.

One of the greatest challenges to such ministries is to involve the local church. No doubt ex-gays will continue to take the lead, but widespread support by other Christians is called for if current ministries are to become more effective. It would be helpful, as a first step, for all Christians to familiarize themselves with some of the literature that is available. A number of helpful books have been written by pastors, Christian psychiatrists and counsellors who are involved in reaching out. Here are some that I have read, and are available in most Christian bookstores:

Donald Faris: "Trojan Horse", the Homosexual Ideology and the Christian Church. Welch, 1989, 8-0 pages.

David Field, "The Homosexual Way A Christian Option?" Inter-Varsity, 1979, 50 pages.

Leanne Payne, "The Healing of the Homosexual" Crossway Books, 1985, 48 pages.

Leanne Payne, "The Broken Image" Crossway Books, 1984, 187 pages.

John White, "Flirting With The World" Shaw, 1982, 156 pages.

Two other books I have found helpful, but less easily available, are:

Congressman Wm. Dannemeyer, "Shadow in the Land" Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1989, 243 pages.

Gerard Van Den Aardweg, "Homosexuality and Hope: A psychiatrist talks about treatment and change". Servant Books, Ann Arbor, 1985, 134 pages.

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