Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/88

Contributor -

Title - The Reformed Church in America in Canada: Statement on Homosexuality

Topic - Reformed Church In Canada

We, the Reformed Church in America in Canada, confess that the Word of God was not written by the will of man but through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The will of God has been revealed to man through His Word and for that reason we take the following stand on homosexuality.

1 . We believe that we must seek to evaluate all human wisdom in light of the Scriptures so that our moral judgments and conduct may conform to the Word of God.

2. We believe that homosexuality is unnatural and abnormal behaviour going against the laws of nature. (Romans 1:24-27)

3. We believe homosexuality has no identifiable common cause but results from a combination of one or more factors in varying degrees in different individuals.

4. We do not accept the present trend of our society to label homosexuality as an "alternate lifestyle" instead of deviate behaviour. (Romans 1:28)

5. We believe homosexuality is not acceptable behaviour according to the will of God found in Scripture. (Romans 1:24-28)

6. We believe the Church's mission to the homosexual is in most respects the same as it is to the heterosexual: to preach God's good news of grace and forgiveness through Christ, release to those in bondage and liberty to the oppressed.

7. We believe that homosexuality is the result of human moral impurity and that anyone seeking help can overcome this vice. (Philippians 4:13 & 19) (Romans 6:12)

8. We believe that all persons regardless of sexual orientation or conduct stand in need of God's redeeming grace in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

9. We believe that the Church must not underestimate the decisive role which the Spirit can play in a person's quest for wholeness and to those who practice homosexual perversion the gospel offers not only a mandate to change but also spiritual resources to draw upon in that struggle.

10. We believe homosexual activity results from an abnormal desire therefore making it necessary for the very root of the homosexual desire to be dealt with through the professional counsel of a Pastor, trained Christian psychologist, psychiatrist or Counsellor.

11. We believe that homosexuality is not singled out in Scripture as a more severe sin requiring more serious punishment but is one among many consequences of man's sinful state. (Romans 1:24-32)

12. We believe those who practice this type of lifestyle will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (I Cor. 6:9-1 1)

13. We believe if the Pastor is to be of help to the homosexual, then he must be sensitive to the hopeless frame of mind in which they so often seek out the church. The homosexual needs to experience being known, understood and loved unconditionally as a person.

14. We believe one of the most important of the Pastor's contributions is infusing an appropriate emotional climate by word and example. By steady emphasis upon biblical teachings dealing with grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and fellowship, he helps create a climate of mutual burden-bearing and an expectation of transformation.

15. We believe our God is a forgiving God. (I John 1:9) and any person who sincerely asks for forgiveness in the Name of Jesus Christ will receive it through God's grace to each believer in Jesus Christ our Lord. However, that person who receives forgiveness must also strive to make a clean break from the sin of homosexuality and strive for the newness of life which is the believer's by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

16. We accept and encourage the reading of all the printed material on this subject of homosexuality as it has been prepared by the General Synod's committees, commissions and directors.

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