Today I am picking my topic straight from the headlines, the Christian music headlines. Is being gay a sin? How should a Christian react when a friend, or someone they respect, announces they are gay?
I’ll back a bit and start with the fact that for years I would ignore any music with the “Christian” label. Then a friend, blog buddy Tam, recommended I listen to Jennifer Knapp. Knapp’s last album, “The Way I Am” was nominated for a Grammy. I was thrilled by the passion with which she sang, and now Christian songs are among my favorites.
Knapp took a hiatus from performing, spending the last several years in Australian. She began writing songs again and announced the release of a new album, scheduled for May. Many of her Christian fans were thrilled. Then in an interview with Christian Today she came out as being gay.
My guess is that she will lose some fans from her Christian fan base, but will likely pick up some new ones. How much this news will affect album sales we will have to wait and see.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/music/interviews/2010/jenniferknapp-apr10.html
Question – If someone who you love, or respected, said they were gay how would you react?
I looked up Bible verses that dealt with homosexuality and found the following, that to me state pretty clearly that gay love is a sin:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (New International Version):
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Leviticus 18:22 (NIV):
22 ” ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
I also know there are some Christian churches that accept gay people. The Diocese of New Hampshire, an Episcopal Church, ordained an openly gay, non-celibate, Bishop, V. Gene Robinson, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Robinson.
Should someone who is gay be accepted by the Church? Would it make a difference if they admitted there were sexually attracted to a member of their same-sex, but remained celibate?
I am not Christian or gay. I have both Christian and gay friends. My perception is that the first rule(?) is that Jesus teaches us to love everyone. If we did not love sinners, we would have no one to love, since we are all sinners. I would expect that a devout Christian would be sad when a friend says they are gay. They would pray for their friend, and hope that someday their friend will realize their error.
My understanding is that for a devout Christian being gay, or from the standpoint of some Christians, thinking you are gay, being sexually attracted to someone of your own sex, is a temptation, like any other. Giving in to that temptation, gay sex, is the sin.
This is may favorite performance by a contemporary Christian singer:
Jennifer – Whole Again
The World Through My Eyes 
19 comments
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April 16, 2010 at 9:59 am
ric booth
Ed,
I don’t have time for this right now… just heading out and I’ll be back Sunday. Just had to say thanks for exploring this divisive issue. Jennifer Knapp rocks. I’m glad she came out. I’m happy for her. I’ll add more later.
April 16, 2010 at 9:40 pm
edfromct
Have a great weekend Ric. We are of one mind about Jennifer Knapp, she rocks!
I look forward to your futher thoughts on this topic.
April 18, 2010 at 5:51 pm
ric booth
Time to get into trouble I guess.
The bible translations that we have in our hands today define homosexuality as a sin. This is found in the old and new testaments. Many other sins are called out in the old testament that we ignore and say are no longer sins. The new testament changed some things or perhaps clarified is a better word. Homosexuality does not appear to be one of the OT sins that is changed or clarified.
Paul is the NT writer who comes out strongly against homosexuality. Whether these current translations preserved the true intent of the original written word is a topic for another day. For the remainder of my long comment, lets assume it is 100% accurate.
Concerning your verses from 1 Corinthians, verses 9 and 10 get the lion’s share of the attention. Verse 11 is often forgotten. That verse is in the PAST tense. “That is what some of you WERE.” They are now saved. washed. cleansed. free. HOWEVER, they still commit the sins of idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, greed, thievery, and gluttony.
Paul is NOT, imho, saying all who received Christ but still fall victim to sins (vices) are going to hell. That is not in the text. He is merely reciting Christian theology, sinners who do not know Christ will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
All Christians (those who have received Christ) still commit sins in Paul’s list. Jesus tells us that if we lust in our hearts we have committed adultery. Many, if not most, Christians who live in the USA suffer from greed and gluttony in a completely unchecked, unaccountable manner. Many are leaders in our churches. NO ONE is demanding them to repent nor removing them from leadership. Their books and CDs still adorn the shelves at Christian bookstore.
We are ALL messed up. Paul is speaking to ALL of us. He is NOT singling out one sin that we are to draw an unbendable line against. But this is exactly how we have implemented his words.
So Jennifer Knapp is a lesbian. So what? Most overweight people are gluttons. Most Americans are greedy. Most Americans steel on their taxes every year. All heterosexual males commit adultery in their hearts time and time again without any public confession, without ever repenting.
Christianity (in our country anyway) has become KNOWN for hating homosexuals and abortionists, while masquerading this hate as “tough love.” It is wrong and we, the church, need to call ourselves out on this.
April 19, 2010 at 1:06 am
edfromct
Ric, I hope you do get into some trouble from time to time , it keeps life from getting too boring. 🙂
I agree with your take on 1 Corinthians, verse 11, most importantly it’s the that sinners “who don’t know Christ” who will not inherit Heaven. This I believe refers to non-believers like me. My perception is that all who have accepted Christ will join him Heaven. On that judgement day, they will be held accountable for their sins. The manner of this accountability is a subject of debate among the different denominations, and not at all clear to me.
Any Christian who hates is committing one of the greatest sins, for not living with love as Christ commands them to. This principle of love needs to be the standard that Christian churches are seen to represent. From all the blogs, and comments, I read by my Christian friends, they know this. I don’t think many of my non-Christian friends see the church in that light.
We all need to live our lives with love, believers and non-believers. I think we all need to do better.
April 16, 2010 at 11:05 am
Theresa
I am a Christian and I have Gay friends.
How do I feel about it? I love them. It isn’t my place to judge. If I decide that I am better then them because they are gay and that is a sin, then I am no better then a Pharasee (sp?).
I have enough stuff to stand before Christ and be accountable for.
I pray for them as much as I pray for my friends that aren’t gay. We are all sinners….Just as you stated. According to Leviticus if your clothes are made out of more then one kind of thread you are sinning.
I love Jennifer Knapp. Not just because she is an amazing artist but mainly because she is a child of God.
You totally rock!! Thank you for loving us Christians. 🙂
April 16, 2010 at 9:47 pm
edfromct
Thank you Theresa for loving a poor Atheist like me. 🙂
We all do need to be more concerned about our own sinning, than anyone else’s. I sure can’t be casting any stones any one else’s way. 🙂
April 17, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Indian Lake Papa
Okay, you probably have been wondering what my comment would be. So here goes.
Homosexuality is a sin – no doubt in my mind. You can argue all you want about it, but if you are a Christian you really have to “bend” God’s rules to think otherwise. If you confess your sin, God forgives. But He does not condone living in that sin. The biggest problems Christians get into is rationalization/justification for living in known sin thinking God looks the other way. He doesn’t – we do. Jennifer Knapp? Don’t know her, so can’t draw too many assumptions. Ed, I think that being an Atheist is going to send people to hell. That may sound harsh – but you have met mama and I, and you know we are friends. I would LOVE to have you visit. We Love you, but obviously have different opinions on some very critical life issues. If you were in our home, we would laugh, and have a great time. But in those quiet moments mama and I would both weep and pray that you would see Christ in our lives and that you would too choose Him as your Savior.
Hope you have a great day. Just remember, saying you are a Christian doesn’t make you one. Its a combination of two main factors. First confession of your sins and secondly – repentance/changing your lifestyle to be Holy as He asks us to be – put sinning patterns behind us.
April 19, 2010 at 12:33 am
edfromct
Papa, I agree scripture is very clear that homosexuality is a sin. I also agree that the Christian God will not overlook sin. A sinner can try and convince others, and themselves, that what they are doing isn’t really a sin, but they can’t fool their God.
I know you and Mama are good Christian, as well as great friends. You do live your lives with love, although being human, I think you can accept that even you two won’t meet Christ perfect standard of love. 🙂
I understand that because I don’t accept the Christian God, or believe he exist, I will not inherit Heaven, if it exist. Sinners, who believe in God, also should accept that they will be held accountable by God for their sins.
I thank you for caring enough to pray for me, that is another example of how you two live your life with love.
April 18, 2010 at 6:19 pm
mandythompson
Ed. I think you did a great job with this study… And it blessed me to read through your thoughts.
PS: Did you know she’s my hero?
April 19, 2010 at 1:11 am
edfromct
Thanks Mandy. I feel blessed for being accepted by you and all my other Christian friends.
Jennifer Knapp sings with the same passion, and honesty, that you do. I can see where she inspires you, and many others. She inspires me to try to live by my faith, and with the passion she demonstrates.
April 18, 2010 at 6:20 pm
mandythompson
Meant to add: I grew up as a young adult listening/studying/internalizing her music… Then she went silent. And I heard the rumors. And, well, now we’ve got it straight from her. Yes, I’m sad. But I’m still going to listen to her music.
April 19, 2010 at 1:13 am
edfromct
Mandy, I am looking forward to the release of her new album in May. Almost as much as I am your own CD, if it ever gets released. 🙂
April 18, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Christian Beyer
I think Ric is right. When it comes to ‘right’ living we tend to focus on ‘sin’ and how that gets in the way it. We pretty much ignore those sins we are accustomed to and condemn those we are not likely to commit any time soon.
Ah, but really, does any of this matter? Look at the exchange between Jesus and Peter in John 21: Jesus asks him three times “Do you love me”. And each time Peter responds “You know I do”. But to each one of Peter’s responses Jesus says in effect, well, then you should be serving others.
If there is a litmus test for being a Christian it’s not whether you tithe or not, or if you believe in evolution or not, or if you have said the sinner’s prayer or not, of if you are gay or not. It is if you are actively serving and loving others. That’s it. In a nutshell. Case closed. Everything is is just loud cymbals and clanging gongs.
April 19, 2010 at 1:20 am
edfromct
Christian, I think your litmus test is the perfect standard for the way Christ requires Christian to live, by loving and serving others. The same standard is how we all should live, believers and non-believers.
I was trying to think of something very profound to write, but there is no need to add anything to what you say. We do love our cymbals, and clanging gongs, but in the end it is simple. We should live our lives with love, period, case closed.
April 18, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Michelle
What Ric said.
April 19, 2010 at 1:21 am
edfromct
Michelle, what I said to what Ric said. 🙂
April 19, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Michelle
Haha…yeah, that too. 😉
April 19, 2010 at 7:21 pm
gchyayles
I praise God that He has given me the experience and the heart to love people no matter what their sin especially when it comes to homosexuals. When I graduated from college my advisor and her partner took me in because I had nowhere to go. They showed me unconditional love and took care of me for almost 4 months until I was ready to stand on my two feet. This was before I was saved which I believe was God’s perfect timing because after being saved I had that experience to mould my perspective and it helped me to not judge the way unfortunately so many Christians dp. Our current landlords are lesbians. They don’t know or like Jesus for that matter but He still used them to bless us by giving us a huge break in terms of rent. I see this as an opportunity to witness to them; show them Christ’s love and show them that it’s not based on who they are or what they but because God created them and has commanded that we love them unconditionally.
Like you said, homosexuality is no different than any other sin. It amazes me, for example, that the heterosexual individual having premarital sex judges the homosexual. Same is every sin in His eyes; He hates all of it but is faithful and just to forgive all of it too when we repent.
We had a series at our church called “reasonable sins.” So many of us measure sin to justify and feel better about our own sin. The murderer is no worse than the gossiper or the liar but unfortunately our society has standards for sins. The murderer goes to jail; the gossiper doesn’t. Imagine if you had to spend a day or two in jail for cussing? That sin is equally unpleasant to God as homosexuality and the list goes on and on.
I don’t believe in the church “outcasting” anybody. That is not the premise behind God’s salvation/love for us for one and two, since all sin is equal in His eyes and all of us have sinned and fallen short of His glory and we sin daily regardless of its nature, none of us should be allowed in church!
Thanks for yet another great study brother Ed!
April 20, 2010 at 3:24 am
edfromct
Your first hand experience with gay people gives you the perspective that more need.
Your lesbians friends help you when you needed it the most, proving they may be better children of God then some who call themselves Christians.
Exactly as you say, we are all guilty of sin. When we judges others by their sin, we sin again ourselves, for not following God’s command to live with love.