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You are demonstrating willful ignorance. You will be held responsible, but not by me.
Really? I'm just asking a simple question. If Jesus is the Word of God as claimed, what did he have to say about homosexual behavior and it's being sinful? How is asking that question "willful ignorance"?
You are showing a lot of ignorance about the Bible. Jesus is known as the Word, and is the author of the entire Bible. He is not merely a human being that you can quote for his time on earth. The Word is very clearly against the practice of homosexuality (not homosexuals---they're human beings in need of salvation, same as anyone else; however, one cannot continue in the practice of sin).
Now, explain how these church members are having "the government force Christianity on others"???? Were you comatose when you read the OP? Or are you intentionally twisting the topic of the thread?
Homosexuality is never mentioned--EVER--in the bible by Jesus. It is completely absent in the New Testament. It is mentioned in a few passages in the old testament. The difference between mainline protestants and evangelical/fundamentalist christians is that mainline protestants take into account the culture of the times and intent in understanding the bible, where fundamentalists say they take a literal, word for word interpretation. The problem in my eyes with that approach is that they pick and choose which sections they want to take literally. For instance, most fundamentalist christians eat pork (banned n the old testament). Women having their periods don't segregate themselves from the community (required in the old testament) etc.
In fact, Christ came to create a new covenant--Christ's commandments to love your neighbor as yourself, and to love God with everything you have replace the requirements of the old testament. The old Testament is a valuable tool to help us understand, but a CHRISTIAN is defined by following the teachings of CHRIST. Jesus didn't say one thing or the other about gay people.
Okay, but when did Jesus proclaim the practice of homosexuality a sin?
Jesus often referred back to the Jewish law - which says that homosexuality is wrong. THe Bible needs to be read and understood as a whole body of work - you cannot cherry-pick bits and pieces and expect them to make sense.
Jesus made it clear that his life, death, and ressurection was the fulfillment of the Law - also that not one iota of the law would be erased. Those who live under the Law shall die under the law - those who accept Jesus and receive grace shall live in that grace. Jesus died to be the sacrifice for all sin - and sin requires a sacrifice. By confessing our status as sinners and accepting Jesus - Christians are cleansed from their wrongdoing and given the power to actively turn away from sin and live godly lives.
Your wish for Jesus to have specifically mentioned homosexuality is a form of legalism which Jesus abhorred. People then understood that homosexuality was wrong - just as they do now. Trying to play "I gotcha" with the Scriptures is a losing proposition.
True - according to the policies of his church - he was fine. But he should not be surprised that his congregation thought differently - and he is leading a corporation. If you have bills to pay - you don't offend your members who you rely on to pay those things. He should have had a better feel for his congregation before he did something that drove them away.
You don't think a pastor of a congregation should teach the teachings of his own denomination from the pulpit ? That's an interesting approach.
Jesus often referred back to the Jewish law - which says that homosexuality is wrong. THe Bible needs to be read and understood as a whole body of work - you cannot cherry-pick bits and pieces and expect them to make sense.
Jesus made it clear that his life, death, and ressurection was the fulfillment of the Law - also that not one iota of the law would be erased. Those who live under the Law shall die under the law - those who accept Jesus and receive grace shall live in that grace. Jesus died to be the sacrifice for all sin - and sin requires a sacrifice. By confessing our status as sinners and accepting Jesus - Christians are cleansed from their wrongdoing and given the power to actively turn away from sin and live godly lives.
Your wish for Jesus to have specifically mentioned homosexuality is a form of legalism which Jesus abhorred. People then understood that homosexuality was wrong - just as they do now. Trying to play "I gotcha" with the Scriptures is a losing proposition.
Other than homosexual behavior being defined as a sin, what else is encompassed in "the Law"?
You don't think a pastor of a congregation should teach the teachings of his own denomination from the pulpit ? That's an interesting approach.
Not if the denomination is wrong - and even if he thinks that the denomination is right - his priority should be the congregation - not some corporate office.
Other than homosexual behavior being defined as a sin, what else is encompassed in "the Law"?
I cannot possibly outline all five of the books in the Torah in a forum post. If you want to know - go read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers. You specifically asked about homosexuality - I answered you. Do some research on your own - I hope that you read the entire Bible - not just the Torah - but that is a good start.
No it isn't - it is mentioned several times in the Epistles - and always in a negative manner.
There are big questions about context and intent with those quotes that lead mainline protestants to believe that it was NOT the intent of those passages to condemn homosexuality in general, and it wasn't Jesus saying it--it was Paul
Not if the denomination is wrong - and even if he thinks that the denomination is right - his priority should be the congregation - not some corporate office.
That's wrong on so many levels that I don't know where to start. If you want to belong to a "free church" that isn't part of a denomination, then go for it--there are lots of independent churches out there started up by an unaffiliated pastor that you can join. If your church is affiliated with a denomination, you are a part of it because you follow and support it's teachings.
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