Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/70

Contributor - Will Kroon

Title - The Church and Homosexuality

Topic - The Church in the World

Some time ago the Lutheran Church in America approved a 2,200 word document on "Sex, Marriage and Family" in which it liberalized its stand on sexual ethics. However, it must be said that it did not change its attitude on all forms of sexual ethics, for it reaffirmed its stand that "sexual intercourse outside the context of marriage union is morally wrong" Its greatest change seems to have ' been made in the Church's attitude toward homosexuality. The delegates at the convention defeated a motion to condemn homosexuals from the floor of the assembly.

I have not read the report and so I do not know what advice it has to offer to a pastor or parent who may have to deal with homosexuality in the congregation or in the home. But when I read about the report, I wondered what our General Synod would have said if the issue had been placed on its agenda. I have no idea whether homosexuality is a burning issue among the readers of Pioneer. May I invite the persons who are wrestling with this issue to write me. (You may omit your name.) If need be, we hope to go into greater depth.

Since various denominations have expressed themselves on the subject I will pass on some of the thoughts that have been put forward. There are still a great number of church people who do not give it much thought. If they express themselves they say: "no homosexual can enter into the kingdom of heaven."

This has almost become a stereotyped answer, but few parents seem to have challenged it till they discovered that their own child happened to be a homosexual. But if the stereotyped answer is the wrong one what then can we say to a person who " confronted with the problem?

As I read the opinions of the medical profession, I get the impression that their knowledge about the subject is still very limited. That is, there is still great uncertainty as far as the cause of and the cure for homosexuality is concerned. Therefore, as long as we are not sure wether a homosexual is born, or made by his environment, the Church ought to be cautious in making an official statement.

It is very tempting for a youth pastor (and others) to make some sweeping statements, to condone homosexual practices and even to officiate at homosexual marriages. It is tempting to make an old statement and kick against the views heretofore expressed by the Church. But if a Pastor gives in to that kind of temptation there is a danger that he will ignore both the teaching of the Old and New Testament about that subject and accept as normal what the Bible calls abnormal.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.