Thanks for your post. The headline sure grabs attention! : )
I agree with you that pornography is probably a big problem, deserves more attention than we give it, and has the potential to seriously harm of Christ's Church.
However, I feel that homosexuality has a much, much bigger impact than the way it's outlined in your post. It may be the case that only 1% of the population has same-sex attraction (though I think the matter is more complicated than this), but I believe that many more people are affected by the matter than just those who experience same-sex attraction. At the very least, others would include family members and friends of sexual minorities. Then there's the matter that quite a few people feel that same-sex relationships are not prohibited by God's Word. Then there's the matter of same-sex marriage, which affects us as citizens of our countries. Then there's the matter that, as I've heard it at least, the *main* impression many people in North America have of the church is "group of gay-haters." Wow, that's pretty sad. And on it goes.
In fact, I think the 2nd paragraph of Brett Turner's earlier post gets at these realities.
And Aaron Vriesman's (hi, Aaron!) post assumes that there isn't a biblical argument for approving same-sex relationships - which, agree with it or not - there is such an argument. Many Christians (yes, not all) who accept same-sex relationships feel they are doing so not by ignoring the Bible but are doing so for *biblical* reasons.
A few of these items I'm raising are *not* issues that pertain to pornography. Each issue has its own challenges, to be sure. I think, though, that homosexuality is a much bigger issue than what is argued for in this forum.
I suppose "remember your baptism" is technically the wrong phrase. Which perhaps points us in the right direction: it's "remember that you are baptized" and so we need reminders that do that. Which I think Richard's and Nick's suggestions do. (I also have led an ordination of new elders/deacons from the font, to set their present calling within their baptismal calling. Also, I have promised to parishioners that if they come to me on the anniversary of their baptism day [or a reasonable facsimile], I will meet with them in the sanctuary and share the baptism promises with them again. I've actually had a couple of people take me up on this - ha!) All of this is where the language of "re-affirming" baptism comes in. Someone else's baptism can be another occasion for "remembering that you are baptized."
Sounds to me like previous responders may be on the older side of life. I'm on the younger or middle side at age 41, but resonate very much with the article and the responders' comments. I wonder whether Evert is on to something - I'm less the visionary type and get plenty of bruises and, on the whole, feel optimistic about God's church and about being a pastor in it. I'm about to start preaching on the Sermon on the Mount and the article and responses remind me of Jesus' opening blessings.
I don't have the personal connection that Duane and John have, but I'll eat up this kind of writing on preaching any day (perhaps especially this Saturday morning).
Posted in: Life Together
Thanks, Ken. Good stuff.
- Dave Vroege, Halifax
Posted in: Our Church's Greatest Threat: Homosexuality or Pornography?
Hi Keith,
Thanks for your post. The headline sure grabs attention! : )
I agree with you that pornography is probably a big problem, deserves more attention than we give it, and has the potential to seriously harm of Christ's Church.
However, I feel that homosexuality has a much, much bigger impact than the way it's outlined in your post. It may be the case that only 1% of the population has same-sex attraction (though I think the matter is more complicated than this), but I believe that many more people are affected by the matter than just those who experience same-sex attraction. At the very least, others would include family members and friends of sexual minorities. Then there's the matter that quite a few people feel that same-sex relationships are not prohibited by God's Word. Then there's the matter of same-sex marriage, which affects us as citizens of our countries. Then there's the matter that, as I've heard it at least, the *main* impression many people in North America have of the church is "group of gay-haters." Wow, that's pretty sad. And on it goes.
In fact, I think the 2nd paragraph of Brett Turner's earlier post gets at these realities.
And Aaron Vriesman's (hi, Aaron!) post assumes that there isn't a biblical argument for approving same-sex relationships - which, agree with it or not - there is such an argument. Many Christians (yes, not all) who accept same-sex relationships feel they are doing so not by ignoring the Bible but are doing so for *biblical* reasons.
A few of these items I'm raising are *not* issues that pertain to pornography. Each issue has its own challenges, to be sure. I think, though, that homosexuality is a much bigger issue than what is argued for in this forum.
That's all. : )
God bless,
Dave
Posted in: Our Problem With Infant Baptism
Good questions, good responses.
I suppose "remember your baptism" is technically the wrong phrase. Which perhaps points us in the right direction: it's "remember that you are baptized" and so we need reminders that do that. Which I think Richard's and Nick's suggestions do. (I also have led an ordination of new elders/deacons from the font, to set their present calling within their baptismal calling. Also, I have promised to parishioners that if they come to me on the anniversary of their baptism day [or a reasonable facsimile], I will meet with them in the sanctuary and share the baptism promises with them again. I've actually had a couple of people take me up on this - ha!) All of this is where the language of "re-affirming" baptism comes in. Someone else's baptism can be another occasion for "remembering that you are baptized."
Posted in: God's Own Fool
Thanks for this article, Paul.
Sounds to me like previous responders may be on the older side of life. I'm on the younger or middle side at age 41, but resonate very much with the article and the responders' comments. I wonder whether Evert is on to something - I'm less the visionary type and get plenty of bruises and, on the whole, feel optimistic about God's church and about being a pastor in it. I'm about to start preaching on the Sermon on the Mount and the article and responses remind me of Jesus' opening blessings.
Peace,
Dave Vroege
Halifax, NS
Posted in: What to Preach at Christmas
Thank you, Verlyn!
May I also shamelessly (no, shamefully, actually) suggest:
1. a book: http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/publications/proclaiming-the-christmas-gospel/
2. an article: http://www.reformedworship.org/article/september-2004/what-i-have-preach-christmas-story-again-fresh-approaches-planning
Dave Vroege, Halifax
Posted in: Fallow Month
Thank you for this, Rod. This is beautiful.
Dave Vroege, Halifax
Posted in: Orthodoxy and In Christ Alone
I fully expect to spend eternity with Greg Scheer. And probably anyone who comments on this article.
Posted in: After 17
Thanks for these thoughts and these thoughtful questions, O Former Mentor of mine!
Dave Vroege
Posted in: Using Your Hebrew and Greek
Agree. 'Nuff said.
Dave Vroege
Posted in: Morning Thanks - Our Pastor
I don't have the personal connection that Duane and John have, but I'll eat up this kind of writing on preaching any day (perhaps especially this Saturday morning).
Thanks so much,
Dave