Women in Ministry- Where to Draw the Line? Part 2: Spiritual Gifts

     When examining any question that concerns the Word of God, one must examine Himself and use sound hermeneutic principles. This is especially important when it is a man examining the roles of women within the Body of Christ. As an example, too many men have used Ephesians 5 to inappropriately dominate their wives and treat them poorly because the command to the women  is to submit and respect. I have heard many a sermon that practically gives license to a man to beat his wife verbally, emotionally, and physically- and many a counselor say to a woman she has to take it and ‘submit’. All this while neglecting the command a few lines later to love his wife as Christ loves the church- and forgetting what that looked like when He did. The same problem was illustrated by the many in 19th century America using the scripture wrongly to justify slavery.

     The problem has gone the opposite way as well; there are many from the more liberal bias towards scripture that use culture as a lens to interpret scripture. They believe, for example, that the clear roles laid out in scripture were only for that culture at that time. This has opened up the floodgates- we have genderless scriptures, genderless hymns, women who are Pastors and elders in churches- and now we have homosexual ministers as well as blessing and approval of homosexual marriage. What does that have to do with gender? When you break down gender roles while interpreting scripture through the lens of current culture, these types of errors become rampant. Every church that has negated clear biblical gender roles eventually must- and usually does- compromise on homosexual sin. And allow me to clarify- any church that allows a woman to have a eldership role over men- whether it be a pastor or the head of the board- has ceased to be a biblical New Testament church.

10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Timothy 2:10-14, ESV)

12γυναικι δε διδασκειν ουκ επιτρεπω ουδε αυθεντειν ανδρος αλλ ειναι εν ησυχια

     So for many, this is an emotionally charged topic, and it may cause them to throw away sound principles of hermeneutics and submit to their gender pride. This can happen on both sides of the sexes. One of the principles we must examine is the historical context as well as the ecclesiological context of the commands. I submit to you that within the scripture that there are gender roles laid out for both church life and everyday life. The command above is in context with specific instructions for the assembly of the church. Verse 12, in English and in Greek, is misinterpreted by laymen and pastors alike that hold gender bias. It is in the contest of the church. There is the pesky word or (GR oude) between teach and exercise authority- that shows two separate activities within the body of Christ, and the role in the church. This has been properly interpreted that a woman is not to be a preacher over an assembled congregation. It does not mean that a woman cannot teach authoritatively on scripture in the proper context- outside of the context of the church and church governance. She cannot hold the role of pastor or teaching elder within the church. But I submit to you that there is a boundary there. There are rules that apply differently in the church and in the home- and there are rules that cross all of those boundaries. The challenge is to put off our pride and our opinions- and especially our gender bias- and honestly look at what those boundaries and roles are.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:4-13, ESV)

     The one shocking thing about this list of gifts in terms of this topic is that there is no gender differentiation in the gifts. There is no announcement from the Apostle Paul that these gifts are for men, these other ones are for women. In other words, shocking as it may be, women can have the gift of prophesy! You say, if she has that gift, then why can’t she use it?  She absolutely can- just not in a position of headship over a man (the pastors, the elders) in the context of the church. The question really is, in this context, where can she use that gift of forth-telling or proclamation of the word of God?

 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5, ESV)

     Herein lies the rub for so many people-the scripture states clearly the roles of wives, husbands, older men, older women, younger men, younger women etc. in the context of home and church. It does not speak clearly to the in between time- the time at work, the time at school, the time in the temple. Many people here on both sides of this question allow the scripture to speak from silence. In the example above, Older women have a role within the body of Christ, stated very clearly. It is a role of teaching and training younger women. But what of outside the body of Christ? Can a woman with children hold a job? Can she be a CEO? Can a woman be the head of a Christian organization that trains men and women to preach the Gospel? Can a woman proclaim the Gospel and the Word of God publicly on a street corner to non believers in the presence of male believers? The scripture is silent on these activities. We cannot stretch the principles made for the ecclesia- the church into life outside the context and scope of authority of the local church.

     What this means, quite simply, is that if a woman who is single, begins a ministry outside the church, but under the authority of the church/Pastor/Elders this is not a usurping of authority, nor is it in rebellion to the Word of God. If the church leadership recognizes a gift of teaching and, under the authority of the elders, a woman teaches Sunday School, this is not against the Word of God. She is under authority- the authority of the man- the head elder. If she goes to the Super Bowl- or any other evangelistic outreach- to preach- having been sent by the local church, under the approval of her husband (if she is married) or with her husband- and if with a ministry under submission to the leadership of that ministry- then she ought to be able to preach if she has that gift.

In Part 3- we will attempt to break down what the Bible does say about the roles of women and men inside the church and outside the church.

Posted in Adventures in Christianity, Bible, Change Collegian Network, College Ministry, Evangelism, Theology

Women in Ministry- Where to Draw the Line? Part 1: The Great Commission

This article was first written in April 2013 in response to a book called "Should She Preach?"

In my current season of ministry, I labor as an itinerant evangelist with a small fellowship of people under the headship of Mark 1:15 ministries. In my role as a leader in this band of evangelists, I am often approached to join hands with other individuals and groups that are going forth to proclaim the Gospel. We do have standards of accountability, methodology, and theology that no one formally adheres to, but evangelists are observed and known before they go out with our group. There are a few standards that we demand of our members. They must be born again believers in Jesus Christ who faithfully attend church. They are all under the care and leadership of elders. They must demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives and ministry. They must have the approval of their spouses if they are married. If they are married with children, their first priority is ministry at home. There are a few other minor issues that we demand, including methodology of using sound biblical evangelism of the law to the proud and grace to the humble.

I was challenged this week about one other issue, the issue of gender. I have thought this through before, and have studied the scripture, but never have I written down a formal stand on the issue of women as evangelists on the street. There are a few groups of Evangelists that have gender-based standards, and that list is growing. It is going to become a point of contention in evangelism circles if it has not already. I am going to challenge thinking on both sides of the issue, but I am going to do so based on sound biblical exegesis.

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16:15, ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

These commands come after the first evangelist – Does anyone know who this is?- proclaimed the good news.  The evangel- the good news- that Christ died for our sins according to the scripture, was buried- and on the third day rose again- according to the scripture. (1 Corinthians 15) Again, according to this standard, who was the first post- resurrection evangelist?

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. (John 20:11-18, ESV)

John and Peter observed- John believed- but both returned to their homes, no proclamation, no evangel, no good news. Mary stayed behind, she had been to the tomb, she first noticed that Jesus was not there, she got John and Peter. Now, she stayed behind in mourning. Jesus revealed Himself to her, and commanded her to go- to tell the good news- that He had risen and would ascend. He trusted this news to a woman- the gender whom the Jewish males would pray thus about: ‘thank you God that I was not born a gentile, Samaritan…or a woman’. This woman who could not even testify in court- she was entrusted with the first good news by Jesus Himself- post death and resurrection.

Having said all of this, notice in all of the scriptures that contain the Great Commission, there is no gender announcement. We know that Jesus’ disciples- not the apostles who were to be those who would be responsible for establishing and leading the church- but the disciples of Jesus which included the 12, but also at least 120-500 men and women at this time. If you contend that the Great Commission was only given to the 11 apostles, then you contend that there is no responsibility for Christians today to proclaim the Gospel. If you contend (rightly so) that those to whom the command was given included both apostles and disciples, you must include women in the equation. So from the time of the Great Commission, both faithful men and faithful women were commanded to proclaim the evangel- to be evangelists.

Of course, as we look in the book of Acts, the history of the establishment of the church and the early fulfillment of the Great Commission, we see the giants of the faith- Peter, Paul, Stephen, Phillip, Timothy, Mark- all men- all front and center. Is this to say that there were no women involved? Clearly, there was. Again, we must consider the culture, especially of the Jewish Church. Women were not reliable witnesses in that culture. We do not argue from silence in the scripture, and I will not do so here. We do not see Luke chronicling female evangelists. That does not mean there were not any, and it certainly does not mean that there was a gender restriction on the command.

So what is the issue? The issue gets convoluted when we begin to look into the epistles of Paul as he looks at the church- those who are part of the invisible and universal body of Christ- and the gender roles within the church. And this is what we will look at in the next article. Please prayerfully consider the scripture and respond and correct as we go by using the scripture.

An open response to Matthew Vine's 40 Questions for Christians who oppose marriage equality (or sniffing out a red herring straw man)

Dear Matthew,

I do not know you, but I have met many people who have read your book and are further convinced that they are affirmed as Christians and homosexual. That terrifies me, and it should you. There is no such thing as a person who practices their sin with knowledge (conscience) that that sin is an offense against God who is a Christian. Yes, Matthew, I know that you assert through hermeneutic gymnastics that homosexuality is not a sin. It is according to every legitimate interpretation and translation of the Scripture as well as the God-given conscience that you have clearly suppressed in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20). 

As I respond to your questions, I want you to know that I do not hate you or any person who is trapped in sin and blinded by the god of this world (2Corinthians 4:4). I am angry at the fact that you are leading so many people astray, calling into question God's Word and in your own way blocking people from the Gospel truth that they can be saved, cleansed, delivered- indeed born-again. I hope in some small way my answers to these following questions will bring people to the light so that they can experience the cleansing from sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) that I have - making me a different person from the inside our (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10). 

1. Do you accept that sexual orientation is not a choice? I do not accept the term sexual orientation. The only orientation I accept is that we are all orientated to sin (Romans 3:9-19) and that we are love sinning (John 3:18-20) and when we sin we are just revealing our true nature (Ephesians 2:1-3). 
2. Do you accept that sexual orientation is highly resistant to attempts to change it? Sin is resistant to change, we cannot change our nature to sin, because we are sinners by nature (Romans 3:9-18, Ephesians 2:1-3) Whatever your sin is, you will struggle against it in your flesh (Romans 7) for your entire life, or it will master/enslave you (Romans 6:16) For the true Christian, your new nature empowered by the Holy Spirit, can conquer sin (Romans 6:11).
3.  How many meaningful relationships with lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) people do you have? Though this is an irrelevant question- because who I have as friends has nothing to do with the veracity of the Word of God- I will answer. (Red Herring #1)I have a dozen or so people in my life that are openly homosexual. I do not know what meaningful means, but I have travelled over the world with at least two and have 'broken bread' several times with others. To a lesser extent, I have shared coffee, had conversations with, and hung out with dozens in my lifetime. I also have meaningful relationship with present and former liars, blasphemers, adulterers (at heart, and physically), murderers (at heart), thieves, covetous, and idolaters. 
4. How many openly LGBT people would say you are one of their closest friends? I have no idea. Probably zero. What does this have to do with marriage equality? (Red Herring # 2) Some of my closest friends are present and former liars, blasphemers, adulterers (at heart, and physically), murderers (at heart), thieves, covetous, and idolaters. 
5. How much time have you spent in one-on-one conversation with LGBT Christians about their faith and sexuality? I have only ever spoken with two homosexual Christians. These are people who have repented of their sin and have trusted Christ as their Savior. As promised in the scripture, they were cleansed (1 Corinthians 6:11) and given a new nature ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) and no longer practice their sexuality, because they recognize it as sin- and it is no longer their master. One of them is Married (That is one man one woman as Jesus defines it (Matthew 19:3-6)) and one has chosen to this point to remain celibate. 
6.  Do you accept that heterosexual marriage is not a realistic option for most gay people? Yes. Because homosexuals know the One True God, yet refuse to acknowledge Him or give Him honor that He deserves, they become unrighteous. God removes His hand of restraining grace, giving them over to their sin. Slowly but surely, their heart is hardened, their conscience is seared, and they are given over to a reprobate (worthless) mind so that they can continue their perversions of God's law (Romans 1:18-32). Since homosexuals are by nature sinful (Ephesians 2:1-3) and have been caught in their sin, they cannot be expected to submit to God. 
7. Do you accept that lifelong celibacy is the only valid option for most gay people if all same-sex relationships are sinful? That would be foolish, celibacy cannot save you from your sin. However, if the person repents (turns from) sin, and trusts Christ, that person will be a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) no longer enslaved to sin (Romans 6:1-12). All same sex relationships are not sinful; I have lots of male friends I consider to be brothers. We have Godly relationships that are not sinful. 
8. How many gay brothers and sisters in Christ have you walked with on the path of mandatory celibacy, and for how long? (Red herring #3) By definition, A Christian is one who has repented of sin (that necessarily means confession, which is agreeing with God on what He says is sin- found in His Word and your conscience) and has turned to Christ alone for salvation from the penalty and power of sin. By that definition, Homosexuals who actively practice their sexuality in KNOWN rebellion against God are not Christians, so they are not my brothers. I would say that I have never demanded celibacy of any homosexual, for celibacy cannot save them from sin. They are just doing what comes naturally to a person who has been 'given over' to that sin (Romans 1:22-28). The only way celibacy benefits a person is when it is done in a relationship with Christ, after having been born again, to honor God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
9. What is your answer for gay Christians who struggled for years to live out a celibacy mandate but were driven to suicidal despair in the process? (Red Herring # 4) (See question 8 in regards to homosexual Christians) How do you know they were driven to suicidal despair as a result of this? Because of what they say? I argue that their conscience is bearing witness that they are sinning against God (Romans 2:15-16) and that they are living in a fear of judgment that they know is coming (John 16:7-11, Hebrews 9: 27) and that many have been turned over to sin and hardened, and there is no sacrifice remaining for them as they have trampled through rebellion against their conscience the free offer of grace they had been offered (Romans 1:18-32, Hebrews 10:26-31). 
10. Has mandatory celibacy produced good fruit in the lives of most gay Christians you know? (See question #8 re: Homosexual Christians) If they have repented and trusted Christ alone for salvation, then obedience to Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit does produce good fruit (John 15:1-5). I have witnessed this in the lives of former homosexuals, as well as those who have stopped lying, stealing, looking with lust at pornography, blaspheming, and coveting (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). 
11. How many married same-sex couples do you know? (Red Herring #5) I don't personally know any. I know a couple that are in a committed relationship for a number of years, but believe marriage is between one man and one woman. What does this have to do with anything? Knowing and loving people living in sin (which I do) does not change the truth of the Word of God that they need a Savior that delivers them from the penalty (death) for sin (Romans 6:23) as well as the power of sin in their lives (Romans 6). 
12. Do you believe that same-sex couples’ relationships can show the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? (See question #8 re: homosexual Christians) No, since these are fruit of the Spirit, a person engaged in practice of sin (1 John 3:3-8)  cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit. If they were Christians, they would have the fruit of self-control, and that would destroy your argument in questions 7-10.  
13. Do you believe that it is possible to be a Christian and support same-sex marriage in the church? No; though some are ignorant or have a fear of man rather than proper fear of God. I believe if a Christian is shown the Word of God and is brought to understanding in God's Word and still refuses to believe that God sees it as sin, that is a problem. That person may not be a true Christian. They (like we all) should examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) to see if we are in the faith. 
14. Do you believe that it is possible to be a Christian and support slavery? Red Herring #6-this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage). No, see the previous question. However, many Christians out of ignorance to the Word of God or Teachings of their Pastors supported and owned slaves, which is sin. 
15. If not, do you believe that Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Jonathan Edwards were not actually Christians because they supported slavery? (Red Herring #7- Again, this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage).  None of them supported slavery. Martin Luther and John Calvin did not address it in their writings, as the topic was not on their radar as slavery was not prevalent in their locality at the time. As to Jonathan Edwards, He was opposed to slavery as it was practiced in the US re: man selling, to which the Bible is also against. The Bible's slavery had to do with the paying off of a debt or a legal obligation. In the Bible the slave was released after 7 years (the year of Jubilee) regardless - unless they loved their master, then they could choose to be a bondservant. The Hebrew slavery was more like a modern day job than the pre-Civil war American slavery. 
16. Do you think supporting same-sex marriage is a more serious problem than supporting slavery? (Red Herring # 8 -Again, this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage.) I think both are serious, but the former has a much more deadly societal impact. One generation of only homosexual marriage would wipe out the human race through disease or lack of reproduction. Slavery, as practiced by the Hebrews in the Old Testament, is not the same as the kidnapping and enslavement with the cruel inhumane treatment towards the slaves we see in our history. Looking back, slavery as practiced in the west was definitely wrong and anti-Biblical. Marriage is only between a man and a woman according to God. When we take an institution that is established by God for His purposes and glory, and redefine it, we are blaspheming His character and nature. Calling it marriage does not make it marriage, no matter what the Supreme Court says.
17. Did you spend any time studying the Bible’s passages about slavery before you felt comfortable believing that slavery is wrong? (Red Herring # 9 - Again, this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage). I think my conscience told me before my Bible study told me that Slavery, as practiced in America, was wrong. It was only when people like Matthew Vine brought up arguments to distract from the truth of scripture  that I have done research in the scripture to find out about slavery, shellfish, and mixed fabric. 
18. Does it cause you any concern that Christians throughout most of church history would have disagreed with you? Not really. I am thankful for William Wilberforce who, upon conversion, passionately stood for what the Bible taught and passionately fought for many social changes including the abolition of slavery. There are stories like this throughout history of true born-again Christians who have brought about sweeping societal changes - including many Christians who were abolitionists in our own country.  
19. Did you know that, for most of church history, Christians believed that the Bible taught the earth stood still at the center of the universe?  (Red Herring #9-Again, this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage)  Yes, but the Bible did not teach that (Job 26:7), and most Christians did not have a Bible in their own language. You are speaking about the Institutional Catholic Church that taught that- and the people who were trapped, until the reformation- in that church just trusted their priests. They also believe to this day that a wafer becomes the literal body of Christ and that Mary was without sin and ascended into heaven- neither of which is taught in the Bible.
20. Does it cause you any concern that you disagree with their interpretation of the Bible? (Red Herring #10-Again, this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage) Nope- like I said, they did not have the scripture in their own language. I am more concerned for the priests who had the Bible and taught them this falsehood.  
21. Did you spend any time studying the Bible’s verses on the topic before you felt comfortable believing that the earth revolves around the sun? (Red Herring #11-Again, this has nothing to do with Homosexual marriage) Nope- mostly from personal observation and teaching in school. Confirmed it by reading the scripture. Always knew that God was the creator of all things - including man, woman, and marriage (Genesis 2:21-24) and rested in that (Genesis 1-2). 
22. Do you know of any Christian writers before the 20th century who acknowledged that gay people must be celibate for life due to the church’s rejection of same-sex relationships? (Red Herring #12 - it does not matter what they say, matters what the Bible teaches) Prior to the last 100 years, it was not an issue. It was well understood, like in Jesus' day, that homosexual relationships were unnatural, sinful, and against the Word of God. In the Christian culture of the day, this was not a public issue as it is today.  
23. If not, might it be fair to say that mandating celibacy for gay Christians is not a traditional position? (Red Herring #13) (see question #8 regarding homosexual Christians, question # 7 regarding mandating celibacy) It may or may not be traditional, but it is not biblical. You see, being celibate may be the Christian choice, or even the moral choice, but again it cannot save a person from their sin. Neither  I nor the church can mandate any sort of behavior from an unsaved person. 
24. Do you believe that the Bible explicitly teaches that all gay Christians must be single and celibate for life? (see question #8 regarding homosexual Christians, question # 7 regarding mandating celibacy, question #23 regarding mandating moral behavior)  The Bible teaches that if you are not born again, you will not see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5, 15-20) and that those who practice sin, and do not have their sin cleansed, will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:8). Those who identify as Christians and still are enslaved in a lifestyle of continued and rebellious sin against God are likely not Christians- and there will be many of those revealed on the day of Judgment (Matthew 7: 20-23)
25. If not, do you feel comfortable affirming something that is not explicitly affirmed in the Bible? No I do not. Since the Bible does specifically affirm that Marriage was created to be, from the beginning, between one man and one woman ( Genesis 2:22-24) and that was reaffirmed by Jesus (Matthew 19:4-6) and that Homosexual behavior is condemned by Jesus (1 Timothy 1:8-11, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) I feel very comfortable in saying that homosexuality is sin, as is same sex marriage. 
26. Do you believe that the moral distinction between lust and love matters for LGBT people’s romantic relationships? No, because it is the sexual relationship that is called sin. It is the homosexual proclivity that is the result of the sin nature. This is why the homosexual (or the adulterer, or the thief, or the liar, or the blasphemer- whatever sin-) needs a supernatural salvation that can change their very nature (Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17) so that they will not be controlled by their lust. 
27. Do you think that loving same-sex relationships should be assessed in the same way as the same-sex behavior Paul explicitly describes as lustful in Romans 1? Yes, because it is the tip of the iceberg. You see, homosexuality is a result of God slowly removing his hand from an individual and allowing His wrath to become manifest. In this open letter, I do not have time to exegete Romans 1, but I will note that homosexuality (and other sins of the reprobate mind) is the direct result of refusing to believe what Humans all know about the one true God (Romans 1:18-20). Homosexuals (as well as other sinners; see Romans 1:28-32) are unrighteous, because they are ungodly. They refuse to acknowledge the knowledge of God and their conscience (Romans 2:15) and therefore justify behavior that is unrighteous. Over a lifetime, God 'gives them over' to a progressive deterioration of morality that makes clear their suppression of truth. Finally, they are given over to a reprobate (adokimos  reprobate -s unapproved, unworthy; spurious, that will not stand proof ) mind to do things that are not convenient (καθήκω kathēkō not fit, proper, or seemly). This includes, but is not limited to homosexual behavior. 
28. Do you believe that Paul’s use of the terms “shameful” and “unnatural” in Romans 1:26-27 means that all same-sex relationships are sinful? Yes, but not just there. Shameful is from the Greek ἀσχημοσύνη (aschēmosunē)  deformity, unseemliness, which is how Paul would describe a behavior that is against nature- the way God intended it- or a perversion of nature. In context, this is a punishment for suppressing the truth  - So God allows or gives  people over to their sin.  
29. Would you say the same about Paul’s description of long hair in men as “shameful” and against “nature” in 1 Corinthians 11:14, or would you say he was describing cultural norms of his time? ἀτιμία (atimia) Is an entirely different Greek word translated shame that means dishonor, disgrace, stigma, or a reproach. Yes, that would describe cultural norms of the time, the same way it would be a sin for a Nazarite to drink wine or cut his beard. It however is about cultural reproach, which the Nazarites experienced- part of the fact that they did not trip their beard was to separate them- The word ἀσχημοσύνη (aschēmosunē) has to do with a deformity that is unseemly, unfit, and unnatural- or a perversion of the natural order as Paul describes homosexuality. 
30. Do you believe that the capacity for procreation is essential to marriage? No, but it was part of God's original intent for marriage to "be fruitful and multiply". For a infertile couple, this is not disobedience to God's intent, it is a sad result of the fall. In the OT culture, children were seen as a blessing of God. Infertility was seen as a curse- and women and men would pray that curse lifted so they could be a part of God's plan. 
31. If so, what does that mean for infertile heterosexual couples? Sad. With todays technology, they can choose many different options. I know couples who could not have children (and even some who can ) who rescue babies from abortion by adopting them. I know others who adopt special needs kids. Still others who served God on many missions fields who have no adopted or natural children, but thousands of 'spiritual' children. Anyhow, they can still serve God without being able to reproduce. 
32. How much time have you spent engaging with the writings of LGBT-affirming Christians like Justin Lee, James Brownson, and Rachel Murr? Who? (Red Herring #14) 
33. What relationship recognition rights short of marriage do you support for same-sex couples? I have always supported civil and legal recognition of their relationships. It is not my business what behavior non-Christians engage in. It is not business that the state would legislate means by which same sex partners can pass property to one another after death, be involved in legal decisions, rent an apartment or buy a home, have health insurance, etc. 
34. What are you doing to advocate for those rights? Nothing; when it was coming to a vote in my state I made sure that everyone knew that these rights were already in place. Homosexual Marriage has always been about getting church and state approval of homosexual behavior- nothing more. Legal protections were already in place. 
35. Do you know who Tyler Clementi, Leelah Alcorn, and Blake Brockington are, and did your church offer any kind of prayer for them when their deaths made national news? No.
36. Do you know that LGBT youth whose families reject them are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide than LGBT youth whose families support them? (Red Herring #15) Fascinating. Nothing to do with Gay Marriage. 
37. Have you vocally objected when church leaders and other Christians have compared same-sex relationships to things like bestiality, incest, and pedophilia? Never heard that incest and bestiality is compa ed to homosexuality, but here is a statistic for you: Homosexual pedophiles sexually molest children at a far greater rate compared to the percentage of homosexuals in the general population. A study in the Journal of Sex Research found that "approximately one-third of [child sex offenders] had victimized boys and two-thirds had victimized girls." The authors then make a prescient observation: "Interestingly, this ratio differs substantially from the ratio of gynephiles (men who erotically prefer physically mature females) to androphiles (men who erotically prefer physically mature males), which is at least 20 to 1."(Freund, "Heterosexuality, Homosexuality, and Erotic Age Preference," p. 107) Similarly, the Archives of Sexual Behavior also noted that homosexual pedophiles are significantly overrepresented in child sex offense cases:

The best epidemiological evidence indicates that only 2 to 4 percent of men attracted to adults prefer men (ACSF Investigators, 1992; Billy et al.,1993; Fay et al.,1989; Johnson et al.,1992); in contrast, around 25 to 40 percent of men attracted to children prefer boys (Blanchard et al.,1999; Gebhard et al.,1965; Mohr et al.,1964). Thus, the rate of homosexual attraction is 6 to 20 times higher among pedophiles."  (Ray Blanchard, et al., "Fraternal Birth Order and Sexual Orientation in Pedophiles," Archives of Sexual Behavior 29 (2000): 464). 

 38. How certain are you that God’s will for all gay Christians is lifelong celibacy? (see question #8 regarding homosexual Christians, question # 7 regarding mandating celibacy, question #23 regarding mandating moral behavior)

39. What do you think the result would be if we told all straight teenagers in the church that if they ever dated someone they liked, held someone’s hand, kissed someone, or got married, they would be rebelling against God?  They would rightly call us liars. 

40. Are you willing to be in fellowship with Christians who disagree with you on this topic? I am willing to fellowship with Non-Christians, like Matthew Vine, who disagree with me on this topic. I will let you know when a person who actually has repented and trusted Christ, believes all of the Word of God and strives to obey it, and still feels that homosexual marriage is marriage- I will let you know.  

See more at: http://tobingrant.religionnews.com/2015/07/03/40-questions-for-christians-who-oppose-marriage-equality-guest-commentary/?utm_content=buffer99fce&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.AWuNqxSe.dpuf

Renouncing my Baptism and Confirmation

I was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. However, because of their rebellion against God reemphasized today I again publicly renounce my baptism and confirmation.

In doing so, I still love people who call this their spiritual home. I do not hate people in the Episcopal Church- which include members of my family- however, I HATE what the institution has become. 

It breaks my heart, because I love my heritage. I have so many friends I grew up with that are still a part of the abomination the Institutional Episcopal Church has become. God was gracious to me in that all the scripture I learned from a young age came from the Book of Common Prayer. My theology was largely shaped by the Catechism I learned in that book. 

Please members of the Episcopal Church go back to your book of Common Prayer and read all the scripture in it and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes- specifically, the Catechism- 

Q.	Where in the Old Testament is God's will for us shown most clearly?
A.	God's will for us is shown most clearly in the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments

See pages 317 and 350.

Q.	What are the Ten Commandments?
A.	The Ten Commandments are the laws give to Moses and the people of Israel.
Q.	What do we learn from these commandments?
A.	We learn two things: our duty to God, and our duty to our neighbors.
Q.	What is our duty to God?
A.	Our duty is to believe and trust in God;
	I	To love and obey God and to bring others to know him;
	II	To put nothing in the place of God;
	III	To show God respect in thought, word, and deed;
	IV	And to set aside regular times for worship, prayer, and the study of God's ways.

Catechism     847

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Q.	What is our duty to our neighbors?
A.	Our duty to our neighbors is to love them as ourselves, and to do to other people as we wish them to do to us;
	V	To love, honor, and help our parents and family; to honor those in authority, and to meet their just demands;
	VI	To show respect for the life God has given us; to work and pray for peace; to bear no malice, prejudice, or hatred in our hearts; and to be kind to all the creatures of God;
	VII	To use our bodily desires as God intended;
	VIII	To be honest and fair in our dealings; to seek justice, freedom, and the necessities of life for all people; and to use our talents and possessions as ones who must answer for them to God;
	IX	To speak the truth, and not to mislead others by our silence;
	X	To resist temptations to envy, greed, and jealousy; to rejoice in other people's gifts and graces; and to do our duty for the love of God, who has called us into fellowship with him.
Q.	What is the purpose of the Ten Commandments?
A.	The Ten Commandments were given to define our relationship with God and our neighbors.
Q.	Since we do not fully obey them, are they useful at all?
A.	Since we do not fully obey them, we see more clearly our sin and our need for redemption.

Sin and Redemption

Q.	What is sin?
A.	Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.

The Episcopal church is itself in sin as defined in her Catechism, seeking its own will instead of the will of God. God revealed His will for us in the written word of God which has essentially been abandoned by the Episcopal Church. The Word is meaningless, though it is throughout the Book of Common Prayer and the Pastoral Offices. Look with me into the Episcopal marriage ceremony:

Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of 
God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and 
this woman in Holy Matrimony.  The bond and covenant of 
marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord 
Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and 
first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.  It signifies to us 
the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and 
Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is 
intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort 
given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is 
God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture 
in the knowledge and love of the Lord.  Therefore marriage is 
not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, 
deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it 
was instituted by God.

Note that in the current version, the Episcopal church has it right according to scripture- acknowledging that God instituted marriage, between man and a woman. It goes on to acknowledge the  union between man and woman (Ephesians 5:25-32) is a picture of the spiritual union between Christ and the Church, and that it should not be entered into lightly- but reverently- in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. 

These purposes are revealed in the scripture, both Old and New Testaments that is published in the section called the Ministry of the Word:

The Ministry of the Word
The Celebrant then says to the people

                The Lord be with you.People        And also with you.

Let us pray.

O gracious and everliving God, you have created us male and
female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this
woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist
them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love
they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make;
through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with
you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Marriage     425

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Then one or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read.  If
there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes
the Readings.Genesis 1:26-28 (Male and female he created them)

Genesis 2:4-9, 15-24 (A man cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh) 

                The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
                according to __________.People        Glory to you, Lord Christ.Matthew 5:1-10 (The Beatitudes)
Matthew 5:13-16 (You are the light...Let your light so shine)
Matthew 7:21,24-29 (Like a wise man who built his house upon the rock)
Mark 10:6-9,13-16 (They are no longer two but one)
John 15:9-12 (Love one another as I have loved you)

Let us take a look at these passages: 

Genesis 1:26-28Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him;male and female he created them.

28And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

Note, God did create man and woman, and part of the purpose of Marriage was to procreate. This is not successful in 100% of the marriages; there is infertility etc, however from when God created marriage his command was to be fruitful and multiply. You need a man and a woman to do this. 

To continue:

Genesis 2:23-25Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bonesand flesh of my flesh;she shall be called Woman,because she was taken out of Man.”

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

When God created marriage, it was between the two beings he created. This may seem a pedantic question, but do you suppose that God in creating the first humans could have created two men, each with the ability to procreate? Instead, God created complementary human beings, each with unique parts and personalities that were beneficial to each other, allowing an intimacy (that is beyond sexual) that could allow them to be one flesh- illustrating the unity between the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- Three persons, One God- Unity in will, substance, and purpose- yet Three persons) and the Mystery of the union between Christ and His church.

Finally, Christ reiterates this purpose:

Mark 10:6-9But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’  7‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,  8and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.  9What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”10And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”  

Many people in the debate over homosexual marriage claim that Christ never speaks about homosexual marriage. Here in this passage he affirmed that marriage is between one man and woman- and it is quoted right in the Pastoral Offices.  This is the frustration that I have with the Episcopal Church and other denominations that began so well: They have departed from the clear teaching of the Word of God that they had clung to for so long in favor of cultural relevance and approval from the world. This is why I believe my baptism and confirmation hold no water whatsoever for the scripture promises they are based upon are used falsely and to the Institutional church they Scripture has become no more than suggestion. The foundation of the Institutional Episcopal church is therefore sand.

I urge the members of the Episcopal Church go back to your book of Common Prayer and read all the scripture in it and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes- and do not stop there. Go to the source- the Bible- and allow God's Word to reveal the truth about God and about You. As it says in your Catechism, start with the Ten Commandments, and examine yourself in the light of God's moral law written on your heart. At that point you will become aware of your need for a Savior. He is Christ- and He wants to save you individually from your sin. When He saves you, there is always the Anglican Church (US) that holds to the Standard of God's Word. 

I encourage an exodus, as ICABOD (The glory of the LORD has departed) has been long written over the Episcopal Church USA. 

I Don't Hate You

Please go to my friend Adam's  page and check out this cartoon. It is amazing, and says what we Christians should be trying to say in the midst of our culture. You may want to check my earlier post also.