I’ve not seen that particular NOOMA.

Of the two books he’s written, I think Sex God was the better of the two, though less controversial. I think the virgin birth discussion in VE was not there to actually question it (since he immediately affirmed the VB), but to help think through the ‘whys’ behind even rock-solid doctrine – to understand what is scriptural and what it traditional (because people, myself included, often mix the two). I can’t find it right now, but I read an anecdote (possibly apocryphal) that he’d commented that he re-affirms the VB at almost every tour stop, and that he wonders if he should have chosen something less solid as an example.

Thanks for your response. That’s what’s good about this site, you can have discussions about issues and no one is going to close down a discussion or moderate your comments.

I still am hesitant about Bell. I enjoyed his previous tour but I didn’t get to see his Sex God Tour. I did read Velvet Elvis and had some issues with it (the virgin birth thing is hard for me to swallow). I’ve also heard many of his sermons and seen some NOMA videos. The Breath NOOMA video did seem a little pantheistic.

I had read that a couple months ago when it was posted, and it is consistent with Rob being silent on the subject in public, but using it on an individual basis in private.

The way I have heard one local pastor address the issue when we discussed it was basically this:

When people ask you about your ’stance’ on homosexuality in a public setting, they’re typically in one of two camps:

1) They are Christians looking to see if you are ‘orthodox’, looking to get a public affirmation, which then can be used as a club of sorts. They already know what the scripture says on the topic, and that practicing homosexuality is a sin – the same as lying, stealing, adultery, speeding and cheating on your taxes. However, many of them hold homosexuality as something higher, more insidious, than these other sins.

2) They are active homosexuals, friends of active homosexuals, or someone struggling with homosexual temptations. Often, these people are either searching for help, or looking for initial reasons to reject Christianity.

My friend says that his response to both of these – in public fora – are the same. He won’t answer. In the first case, he won’t feed the beast. In the second case, he won’t give a person a cause to reject Christ before they have heard the message. However, if they wish to follow Christ, his church has a program, similar to Bob’s, which will help individuals struggling with sexual sin (homo-, hereto- and bi-) to leave these sins behind when they accept Christ.

It is in light of this discussion and knowing a bit of the workings of Mars Hill that have given me my interpretation of why Bell doesn’t publicly discuss the topic.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2007/02/rob-bell-hits-lexington-and-packed-out.html

In Rob’s public speaking, he takes no specific stance on homosexuality as a topic – saying that he prefers to deal with individuals on the topic, rather than public fora, which have different purposes. In practice, Mars Hill has a program to help lead people out of that lifestyle – and one of their pastors gave me almost an identical response as Bob Hyatt, above.

I think you and I had a discussion on homosexuality on the ooze quite some time back. I, as everyone knows who has visited my site or seen my comments on the ooze knows that I don’t think two persons living in monogamy committed to one another of the same gender are living in sin. You thoughtfully disagreed in that conversation if I remember correctly.

Anyway, I only bring this up to sort of get you off the hook with those who want to “guilt by association” connect you with me. You have consistently noted that you differ with me on this that homosexual behavior is a sin.

It is also true that I am very much in the minority on the ooze, which probably represents the emergent church on the internet. I say this because of the people who are insisting that the emergent church embraces homosexuality. As a friend of the homosexual community I wish they did hold my position but they just don’t.

Again, I appreciate your work in keeping the new slice of’ accountable and hope you will continue in it. What I appreciate most about your site is your willingness to dialogue with people with whom you disagree, including at times me.

Grace and Peace Friend,
Patrick Lane

Orientation is a tricky thing- neither (IMHO) something one is born with NOR something one chooses- but something that is formed (or mis-formed) in you by a number of factors.

I have a number of homosexual friends who are unable to change their orientation, but are committed to celibacy. I do not think they are in sin at all.

A small point, but for those struggling, I think an important one.