Hmm - interesting translation
Submitted by Forgiven on March 5 2001 15:18:39
In reply to Dueteronomy 22:5 (an example of God's hate) submitted by XelloS on March 5 2001 14:11:09
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the usual phrasing is that 'this is an abomination' and my Hebrew isn't up to telling you whether this is 'God hates people who do this' is really a valid interpretation of the phrase. It is a long, and at times irritating discussion that often comes up on this board. It is one that theologians have fought over heavily for the past 30 years, and no definate conclusion has emerged. I personally hold that homosexual practice is not acceptable to God at any time, but there are some on this board who are of the opposite view. It is no good to quote single verses - especially from the old testament where the same phrasing is used for things that we do not reject these days. Equally in the New Testament homosexuality gets a bad press, but so does a lot of other things that are seldom challenged publicly these days - greed for example is in the list in I Cor 6 v 10, but I have seldom heard a sermon commenting on the modern propensity to be significantly overweight. (I speak as someone who is well equipped for a famine :-) But the real error lies in the propensity of many preachers to condemn the things they DON'T struggle with. If you are lucky enough to be straight and in a stable marriage, being critical of 'those terrible gay men' is cheap preaching. But the New Testament is actually far more interested in condemning divorce as adultery..... As a 'gay man' - i.e. someone who is drawn sexually to the same sex, and not at all to the opposite, I have a real challenge in my life. I am unlikely to be helped significantly by preachers whinging about other gay men's lifestyle; I am likely to be helped if they challenge couples to make space for singles in their family, as it is often loneliness that leads people into promiscous sex. We have a few regular visitors who are straight, and it is sometimes helpful to be reminded of the different perspective of the wider world on who we are; but beating people around the head with texts is seldom appropriate pastoral care - first you must earn the right to speak from real love and care for the person you are challenging. So - please hang around and begin to understand the issues we are dealing with. We are faced with a struggle which you don't share; be grateful. I feel no temptation from alcohol or gambling - going up to an addict of those with all guns blazing is about as productive. If you really want to get a taste of the biblical argument, I suggest you have a look at the linked page. I don't agree with it - but at least it provides a basis for you to start a meaningful discussion. PS - if you are an overweight remarried divorcee, I'd start some serious repentance..... |
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