By Bruce Lowe
Summary
Louise, I have to believe deeply that what I have written above is the truth about homosexuality, and lesbian and gay people. The convictions have come from my seriously studying this subject, and, thankfully, I now can feel enlightened about it. Now I know that homosexual people do not choose their orientation, that they are created by God, in his image with an unchangeable nature which is good and with a God-given purpose. I know the love between gay couples and between lesbian couples is no less than that of others. I am convinced the Bible supports their loving, committed relationships, that there is not necessarily moral evil in such, and that society and our churches should affirm them fully.
And gay men and lesbian women have those characteristics that give them some extraordinary potential in very desirable areas! If we would only accept them, appreciate them, affirm them and bring them out of their closets, they could give beauty and strength to society and our churches.
Louise, as I finish writing these things that seem to me so clearly the truth,, I feel a great despair about our churches and pastors. So many are where I was until I made a serious study. They have never been conscious of a need to study. Nevertheless, they, as I did, assume homosexuality to be just perverted sex, so it has to be evil. Pre-judging. Prejudice. But they don’t recognize that and are unconscious of the terrible evil they are doing to millions of gays and lesbians. I fear they are sending many to hell who will not come to hear the gospel because they know the church has already condemned them. A matter so important to churches and denominations and the millions of homosexuals demands more serious consideration, especially from our pastors.
So these pastors continue to point to the Bible and say homosexuals are going to hell. I think I should discuss the Bible passages they cite. They are guilty of gross misinterpretation of scripture because they have ignored simple principles of interpretation. I shall set forth a few of the more pertinent principles. You will find that they are obvious to any serious reader of the Bible and will wonder how anyone can fail to observe them. What a tragedy for the Word of God to be twisted to suit someone’s prejudices!
The discussion of the principles is Appendix A. In Appendix B I discuss the Bible passages that do or that some think may refer to same-gender sex and show that they have nothing to do with our understanding of homosexuality. In Appendix C I shall speak to those who remain homophobic.
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