I’ve been reading Asphalt Jesus by Eric Elnes recently, and though I cannot necessarily endorse all of it, it raises some good points. In one chapter dealing with the issue of homosexuality, he offers the following quote by William Sloane Coffin taken from an open letter to the Conference of Catholic Bishops. The quote is the following:
“For Christians, the problem is not how to reconcile homosexuality with scriptural passages that condemn it, but how to reconcile the rejection and punishment of homosexuals with the love of Christ.”
I was immediately challenged when I read that. I’m interested in what others’ reactions are to it. I was also wondering how well the quote would work if we replaced the words “homosexuality” and “homosexuals” with something like, “drug addiction” and “drug addicts”. It seems to me that we don’t have a problem accepting the fact that we need to show the love of Christ to drug addicts a lot of the time, but for some reason the specific issue of homosexuality gets special treatment.
![Image of The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Jl6fhDLxL._SL75_.jpg "The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith")
9 Comments(+Add)
What an amazing quote, Jerry. It truly encapsulates what we as redemptive minded believers should be pursuing. Thanks, I will
stealuse it in the future.It mad my day.
It made my day! (typo without medication)
Actually, Rick, I think you might need to check the byline again.
It’s alright – I stole Jerry’s title, so I guess I deserve it…
OK, that mistake WAS medication. Who deserves the greater “sorry”, Phil or Jerry? Just be thankful I didn’t call you Chris Lyons, that my friend is an impeachable offense!
How about replacing it with “gluttony” and “gluttons”?
Phil,
How dare you!
I demand that the administrator of this blog call you out on this infraction! This is a serious, serious issue.
jerry
Other than that, I love the quote and it will give me much to think about.
Who said it: Love wins!
I agree.
Unfortunately some of the critics see that allowing the homosexual to come as they are into a church (meaning with their same sex spouse) and begin a journey of faith and life in Christ. I think that the most missed idea is that we all bring our spouse (whatever that was… drugs, drinking, over-eating… OK name our pet sin!) and miss that this is often deeper than just saying:
Gay: I am gay and here is my partner. We both just accepted Jesus.
Pastor: Well boys, you better break off this relationship.
Gay: We are married… and we deeply love each other. We have been together for 20 years.
Pastor: So? What’s love got to do with all this? You are gays and they do not love… they just have gay sex… and that is a sin. Are you sure you were really saved?
Gay: Yes… Jesus came into my Life as well as my partners. And we do love each other. How would you like it if suddenly you were told that being married to your wife was a sin and you had to break it off?
Pastor: Well it isn’t and if you don’t you will go to hell.
Gay: I guess then we will have to leave this church and go to the gay one… or we will leave and go to hell as you wish.
Holy Spirit: I have plans for this couple. It might take years to work with them and teach them the Love of God for them. Would you be willing to do the hard work of Love?
Pastor: What’s love got to do with this? They are gay and sinners and will go to hell as the Bible says if they don’t change and I have no problem with that!
Holy Spirit: I am grieved.
iggy
But my real question is… what is a “Cathlic Bishop”?