The Church's Response to Homosexuality

Abstract

Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issue of homosexual activity, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions,[1] most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex, but teach that same sex relationships and homosexual sex are sinful.[2][3] These denominations include the Roman Catholic Church,[4] the Eastern Orthodox church,[5] the Methodist Church,[2][6][7][8] and many other mainline denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America[9] and the American Baptist Church,[10] as well as Conservative Evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance,[11] and fundamentalist groups and churches, such as the Southern Baptist Convention.[12][13][14] Pentecostal churches such as the Assemblies of God,[15] as well as Restorationist churches, like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, also take the position that gay sexual activity is immoral

Table of Content

CHAPTER ONE4

INTRODUCTION4

A Package Deal12

Unspoken Messages13

Framing The Issues14

CHAPTER TWO21

LITERATURE REVIEW21

A Relational Matter21

Chapter One

Introduction

It seems that the Church throughout history has found it very difficult to deal healthily with sexual issues---homosexual or heterosexual. Such issues go to the core of our sense of who we are and the longings which can drive us to desperate and even harmful actions. That is why it is in our response to the issue of homosexuality and the theological, social, and existential questions that it raises that both the world and those who disagree with us will come to know---with perhaps the most poignant "actions speak louder than words" clarity---what is truly in our hearts. In particular, they will know whether at core what drives us is more a passion to be in the right, or a passion to be in Christ's presence. They will discover whether the driving force behind our convictions has more to do with presuppositions devoid of relationship, or whether it comes from so being known by Him that we are able to be open to one another from the heart, without fear (1John 4:18).

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:23-24)

How is this lived out in an everyday sense? When a person who experiences same-gender attraction comes to our churches, is the main message they hear about homosexuality a rallying cry to oppose some pro-gay legislation being promoted by a group "out there"---or do they hear hearts broken and vulnerable on account of the sexual temptations which in one way or another virtually all humans share? That is, does the person among us wrestling perhaps with being in love with someone of the same sex hear primarily a message of "identification" in which members of the church can personally relate to the dilemma of frustrated longings to be ...