Tony Campolo on Homosexuality

April 17th, 2009 by Sean


thoughts?

11 Responses to “Tony Campolo on Homosexuality”

  1. on 18 Apr 2009 at 3:21 pm1 Mark C.

    Wonderful presentation! Far too many Christians view homosexuality as somehow worse than other sins. I remember being taught years ago that it was the “lowest of the low” because it was last in the list in Romans 1. (This from a ministry that mocked people who said speaking in tongues was the least important gift/manifestation because it was last in the list in I Cor. 12.) But the fact is, we all sin, and we all need a savior.

  2. on 21 Apr 2009 at 5:37 am2 Matthew Janzen

    I found the video uncomfortable. If modern Christendom downplays other sins and centers on homosexuality the answer is not to let up on homosexuality, but to recognize that the same condemnation is upon those that practice the other sins as well. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 makes this plain for idolaters, drunkards, adulterers, thieves, etc. Those that practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. This seems pretty plain to me.

    I believe we should share the gospel with homosexuals, after all 1 Cor. 6:11 says “such were some of you” meaning some of the Corinthians used to be homosexuals, etc. but had been saved out of that lifestyle. So, when we share the gospel with them or with a thief or adulterer, we must make it clear (in the words of John and the Messiah) that they must repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

    Matthew

  3. on 21 Apr 2009 at 8:02 am3 Mark C.

    But do we share the gospel with an attitude of disgust and despising them, or do we speak the truth in love? That old cliche is still true - people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

    We could preach “at” sinners all day long and accomplish nothing if it comes across like “you’re the scum of the earth and will suffer damnation if you don’t change your ways.” Remember, many homosexuals are being told that they are born that way and have no choice. We have to counter that with a message of hope, not threats.

  4. on 21 Apr 2009 at 8:26 am4 Sean

    JohnPaul pointed me to this mp3 audio of Dr. William Lane Craig discussing homosexuality on his podcast. It was pretty good. I think between Dr. Craig and Dr. Campolo we can find a sort of balance.

  5. on 22 Apr 2009 at 6:46 pm5 Matthew Janzen

    We should never share the gospel with an attitude of disgust, but we should always make it clear that the wrath of God abides on the sinner. This goes for the thief, murderer, homosexual, etc.

    I would share the gospel with a murderer, but I would make it clear to him that if his desire was to continue practicing murder, he would not enter the kingdom of God. Sure, this can be done in love, but true love is rebuking someone for their sin.

    Leviticus 19:17: “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incure sin because of him.”

    To not clearly show them their sin is to hate them in your heart. We must convey to them that the reason we are reproving or rebuking them is because we love them and want them to be in the kingdom.

    Matthew

  6. on 23 Apr 2009 at 4:41 am6 Mark C.

    I would share the gospel with a murderer, but I would make it clear to him that if his desire was to continue practicing murder, he would not enter the kingdom of God. Sure, this can be done in love, but true love is rebuking someone for their sin.

    How would you deal with someone who says they can’t help it? Murder is more blatantly wrong, but many homosexuals or those who practice other sins think they are “born that way” and can’t help it, and don’t see it as a problem since they “aren’t hurting anyone.”

    To not clearly show them their sin is to hate them in your heart. We must convey to them that the reason we are reproving or rebuking them is because we love them and want them to be in the kingdom.

    But that’s only half the job. Besides rebuking their sin, we must be able to teach them about God’s unconditional love, and His forgiveness and deliverance. Most homosexuals only ever hear rebuke from Christians, and rarely if ever hear any solution offered.

  7. on 23 Apr 2009 at 5:45 am7 Sean

    How would you deal with someone who says they can’t help it?

    I also was born with a radically depraved propensity towards inappropriate sexual contact. In fact, by nature I am attracted to women that I’m not married to. Should I now go around and commit adultery on my wife simply because my genetic code tells me to? Of course not! I control my passions and limit myself to my wife (and she does the same). The difference is that a gay person who is genuinely not attracted to women is not able to happily marry a woman. I recognize this, and don’t want to make the “solution” seem easy, but I’m at least saying that even if people are born gay it still does not authorize them to act on their urges.

  8. on 23 Apr 2009 at 6:51 am8 Matthew Janzen

    Hi, Mark,

    If a homosexual told me he couldn’t help it I would take him to Romans 1 and show him how what he is doing is against nature. I could also show him scores of statistics that prove homosexual practice is hurting the homosexual. I would in turn show him how he is hurting God by practicing that sin.

    I would never tell a homosexual or any praticing sinner that God’s love is unconditional. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 there are conditions for entering the kingdom, and one of these is that you are not to practice homosexuality (along with theft, murder, drunkeness, reveling, etc.).

    Please don’t get me wrong Mark, I wouldn’t be hateful or as we say in the South, “ugly” about it, I would speak to him in love. I may anger him or hurt him though by going through the Scriptures, but remember the wounds of a friend are faithful, the kisses of the enemy are deceitful.

    Matthew

  9. on 23 Apr 2009 at 2:33 pm9 Mark C.

    I recognize this, and don’t want to make the “solution” seem easy, but I’m at least saying that even if people are born gay it still does not authorize them to act on their urges.

    I agree. And the solution is not easy. But unfortunately many Christians do not even offer a solution, they just rebuke and condemn. That is the image they have among non-Christians, including homosexuals.

    I would never tell a homosexual or any praticing sinner that God’s love is unconditional. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 there are conditions for entering the kingdom, and one of these is that you are not to practice homosexuality (along with theft, murder, drunkeness, reveling, etc.).

    I agree that there are conditions to entering the Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean that God’s LOVE is conditional. He loves us in spite of our sin, and wants us in the Kingdom more than we might want to be in it. And he sent his son to die for us even when we were yet sinners. That’s what I meant by unconditional love. We need to always balance our rebuke of sin with this message, especially with people who have only ever been exposed to judgmental Christians.

  10. on 25 Apr 2009 at 2:49 am10 Mark C.

    In the interest of compassion and understanding, this article presents an interesting look at some of the patterns of development that can be part of what causes homosexuality:

    http://www.narth.com/docs/pieces.html

  11. on 23 Mar 2010 at 11:34 am11 Austin

    You can see a discussion of Christianity today in the Ordinary Radicals film: http://www.theordinaryradicals.com/

Leave a Reply