Dear James, I understand your sentiment here. I certainly agree we should think hard about how we send our message. But, we also should think hard about whether we get to alter the message God sends. If God says certain types of sexuality are sinful, we should think about *how* we send *that* message. Not whether we should send it at all. I think the reason we are in this boat is because we have forsaken true Christianity for its Satanic counterpart—cultural Christianity. For too long we have believed and taught that Jesus is a supplement to our lives, rather than the Savior. If Jesus is just a "tack on" then He can't determine my every move. But that is not Christianity. Rather, “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor 9:27, NIV) “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;” (Romans 6:6, LSB) “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20, LSB) “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24, LSB). In light of the multitude of passages like these, is it really so hard to believe that God wants SSA people to deny their sexual desires? If we are to be crucified to the world (Gal 6:14) does that not include our sexual activity? Is sexual orientation so foundational to who we are that God doesn't get to determine how it is used? After Jesus experienced the white hot wrath of God for our sins, is offering up our sexuality in grateful response too much to ask of us? Is there anything that is "too much"? He deserves everything. Including what we do with our genitals.
Anton, unity isn't unanimity. Just because we all (should) believe that we should offer up our sexuality, doesn't mean we will all do so in a unanimous way. We all have our own struggles and temptations. Just because I don't have a struggle with SSA, doesn't mean I don't have different struggles which are just as deadly. Also, many SSA Christians reject your line of reasoning. Many say that their decision to give up a SSA lifestyle is *not* a bigger sacrifice than what a cis gendered person has to give up. I think you think that way because you've bought the cultural lie that your sexual orientation is the most important thing about you. It isn't. There are many SSA voices out there who disagree with you. Are you listening to them as well? Watch this video in which three SSA Christians argue against living homosexual lifestyles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tMpmsiS7VY
Hi Sarina! Thank you for your kind comment. I'm sorry you didn't see this until now. I should have sent this to you but I did assume you'd get it since I tagged your article. But, I'm glad you have some thoughts and will be responding. I look forward to reading it!
Brother, this is a breath of fresh air. I've been voicing concerns like this and as I do, I always feel like a fish out of water. I take some classes at CTS and I voice my view when the topic arises. I've never heard another male with the same perspective. A few times, however, after class, men will say they agree with me. Though we have "two positions" only one is culturally acceptable. Thank you for speaking on principle and not cultural convention. I agree that our third way with women in office sets a precedent for what we see today. Lord willing, I'll post something along these lines soon.
Posted in: The Three Minds and the Third Way
Dear James, I understand your sentiment here. I certainly agree we should think hard about how we send our message. But, we also should think hard about whether we get to alter the message God sends. If God says certain types of sexuality are sinful, we should think about *how* we send *that* message. Not whether we should send it at all. I think the reason we are in this boat is because we have forsaken true Christianity for its Satanic counterpart—cultural Christianity. For too long we have believed and taught that Jesus is a supplement to our lives, rather than the Savior. If Jesus is just a "tack on" then He can't determine my every move. But that is not Christianity. Rather, “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor 9:27, NIV) “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;” (Romans 6:6, LSB) “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20, LSB) “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24, LSB). In light of the multitude of passages like these, is it really so hard to believe that God wants SSA people to deny their sexual desires? If we are to be crucified to the world (Gal 6:14) does that not include our sexual activity? Is sexual orientation so foundational to who we are that God doesn't get to determine how it is used? After Jesus experienced the white hot wrath of God for our sins, is offering up our sexuality in grateful response too much to ask of us? Is there anything that is "too much"? He deserves everything. Including what we do with our genitals.
Posted in: The Three Minds and the Third Way
Anton, unity isn't unanimity. Just because we all (should) believe that we should offer up our sexuality, doesn't mean we will all do so in a unanimous way. We all have our own struggles and temptations. Just because I don't have a struggle with SSA, doesn't mean I don't have different struggles which are just as deadly. Also, many SSA Christians reject your line of reasoning. Many say that their decision to give up a SSA lifestyle is *not* a bigger sacrifice than what a cis gendered person has to give up. I think you think that way because you've bought the cultural lie that your sexual orientation is the most important thing about you. It isn't. There are many SSA voices out there who disagree with you. Are you listening to them as well? Watch this video in which three SSA Christians argue against living homosexual lifestyles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tMpmsiS7VY
Posted in: Jesus Isn't Autistic—A Response to Sarina Moore's "Autistic Jesus"
Hi Sarina! Thank you for your kind comment. I'm sorry you didn't see this until now. I should have sent this to you but I did assume you'd get it since I tagged your article. But, I'm glad you have some thoughts and will be responding. I look forward to reading it!
Grace and peace,
Rob
Posted in: Thinking About a 'Third Way' – Is the CRC Uniquely Qualified to Forge a Middle Path?
Brother, this is a breath of fresh air. I've been voicing concerns like this and as I do, I always feel like a fish out of water. I take some classes at CTS and I voice my view when the topic arises. I've never heard another male with the same perspective. A few times, however, after class, men will say they agree with me. Though we have "two positions" only one is culturally acceptable. Thank you for speaking on principle and not cultural convention. I agree that our third way with women in office sets a precedent for what we see today. Lord willing, I'll post something along these lines soon.