About Something I Said Yesterday in a Couple of the Services…

spiritual-formation-happensAs we looked at the domain of self and how to form spiritually in our one on one relationship with God, I stressed the habit or discipline of learning as essential in the process. The reading, study and application of Scripture cannot be emphasized enough in learning. I also shared the concept of personal study of a specific topic or issue related to life, ministry, culture, and faith. Over the years I’ve studied lots of topics to come to a hopefully better understanding and practice.

As many of you know, same-sex marriage is now legal in Virginia. Given the current climate of sexuality and the associated issues, I decided recently to invest some time over the next six months to study in more detail same-sex issues whether it is same-sex marriage or how the church relates to someone who is gay. I’m doing this for two reasons, well maybe three. I want to grow in my understanding of the positions that are outside of my tribe. By definition my tribe would be people within my theological framework or network. I’ve read lots from people in my tribe, know those arguments and have even written along tribal norms. Secondly, I want to mature in my relatability (ability to relate) with others holding positions different from my own. I’ve got to hear what they’re saying to be competently engaged in the dialogue. Finally, I have this overwhelming sense for Christ followers (including myself) to discern how to love people regardless. The church is often portrayed as the “enemy” or “haters” and that’s not who we are as a people – we don’t hate anyone.

This is a learning goal for me in my formation. I want to understand, relate and love through the debate and discussion. Does this learning goal make me a liberal or a conservative? Well, actually – neither. I’m simply seeking to understand and relate better.

Which books am I reading or plan to read? Here’s my list from authors not found in my tribe.

This is for information purposes only. I’m not advocating or encouraging you to make this your learning goal. There are lots of options. This is the one I feel drawn to engage in this season of my ministry. I’ll keep you posted.

14 thoughts on “About Something I Said Yesterday in a Couple of the Services…

  1. Larry

    Brad, I want to hear what you gain from this reading and how the church should look and react to this growing movement in America. I have a hard time accepting and reconciling this with my ingrained beliefs and what the bible says. I know Jesus taught us to love the sinner but hate the sin and I try to follow this tenant. I believe if this group of people is seeking equal treatment, and benefitts under the law, I can agree with this but why can’t we call this a civil union administered by the state and recognized outside of the church. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on this issue once you have finished your reading.

    1. Brad Hoffmann Post author

      Larry, thanks for the comment. I understand where you’re coming from. My goal in this learning experience is to really understand the individual and find ways in which to best relate. Thanks again for the comment and sharing!

  2. Mark Huffman

    Hi Brad,
    I know this is a very touchy subject in the life of most Christians today but I commend you on your efforts to become more educated and maybe see the situation as they do and have the ability to respond in a loving manner.
    I do not agree that these are same-sex marriages, they can be defined as civil unions or any other description they like but historically “marriage” is between a man and a woman and that has not changed.
    We all know what God’s word says about this subject and that can’t be changed. We as a church can not allow a group of people to take Jesus and mold Him around their beliefs.
    I have friends who are gay and love them no less than any of my other friends. We all live in sin but to make the choice to live in habitual sin on a daily basis is a different situation.
    We have to be tolerant of the world around us while not condoning or enabling of what we know goes against God’s instruction to us.
    Great message this past Sunday!

    1. Brad Hoffmann Post author

      Mark, thanks for the comments and I appreciate you joining in the conversation! Appreciate you!

  3. Rett

    Hi Brad,

    I think you stated this well. Unfortunately the church in America has an integrity issue when it comes to the sanctity of marriage being almost silent on the issues of fornication, divorce, and adultery, but grandstanding on homosexuality. The other side is right to point out this glaring inconsistency and I submit we wouldn’t be at this level of “tolerating” homosexual conduct, if we had maintained the intolerance of the unrepentant afforementioned sins in the covenant community of saints. As Paul commands us not to associate with anyone that is immoral and calls himself a brother and Jesus says to treat the unrepentant one as an unbeliever. Only those believers who are applying these biblical principles consistentl with the aforementioned sins have the moral equity to apply then in the circumstance of unrepentant homosexuality.

    I like how you framed the need to learn, as a need to learn from the Bible, learning what God has to say about everything and cultivating a Christian worldview. It’s important for us to listen to the arguments of the opposition and to follow the command to be ready to give a reasoned defense with gentleness and respect. It’s also important for believers to recognize what is not a valid argument but rather an appeal to emotion or ad homenim attacks. The church in Corinth had former homosexuals in their membership, and I suggest we aren’t a full expression of a biblical church until we do as well. That being said, it is important to maintain the authority, inspiration, clarity, and sufficiency of scripture in our attempts to reach folks who are entangled in this very insidious and destructive sin. May God give us the grace to model the gospel to them in humility, and without hypocrisy. God bless your endeavors brother!

    1. Rett

      Oh btw, in regards to Christians being thought of as hateful, I think it’s good to be as purposeful to avoid emnity with people as possible without compromising scriptural authority. However, it’s important to recognize that God promises us emnity way back in Genesis 3:15 and we see that play out between Cain and Able in the very next chapter. Cain slew his brother not because Able was mean to him or sinfully provoked him to hatred in any way. Cain slew him solely out of hatred that Able was validated and accepted by God while he was not. Jesus himself in Mat 23 identifies this event as the first persecution of a child of God by a child of the devil, telling the scribes and pharisees (whom he also identified as the seed of the serpent in John 8) that all the blood of the righteous would come upon them! So emnity, hatred, and persecution are bound to come because it is God himself through his incarnate word, Jesus Christ, that is bringing that division and pushing the antithesis with unbelief.

      I don’t think what you described is “liberal.” Christians should be trying to reach homosexuals in humility and grace. Where I think liberals go wrong is they conceed the inspiration, authority, clarity, or sufficiency of scripture in an attempt to compromise with the culture and remove the antithesis or emnity all the while not realizing it is God who is “putting” the enmity there (Gen 3:15)! They take arbitrary, autonomous, liberties with the scriptures in order to remove the antithesis and thus become what they are trying to compromise with, unbelievers. When the authority of scripture is removed, it is always done so because there is a sinner somewhere who wants to take it’s place.

      1. Rett

        Btw, sorry for the volume of responses I’m leaving but I see you listed some material by Justin Lee in your reading list. Here is a debate between Lee and Dr. James White on the topic of “can a homosexual be a Christian?” White interacts with Justin’s book specifically. I know White may have a reputation in the SBC and other baotists circles because of his status as a chief apologist for calvinism, but as you stated above, it’s good to learn about perspectives not our own, hopefully inclusing those in the camp as well as those from without. God bless.

      2. Brad Hoffmann Post author

        Well said. I agree with the statement that Christians should be trying to reach with grace and humility. Thanks for being a part of the conversation!

  4. Billy

    Pastor Hoffmann,
    I’ve really enjoyed this particular sermon series (Formed). I know you sorta touch a third rail Sunday while discussing the importance of learning. It’s been my experience that trying to relate to things you don’t understand can be difficult. Learning however can only make us better followers, not just with this subject, but in all things. In the year I’ve been attending Cools Springs, I’ve always admired your ability to discuss the uncomfortable. Looking forward to this Sunday and part three of this lesson.

    Billy

    1. Brad Hoffmann Post author

      Hey Billy,

      Thanks for the comment and encouragement. You make a good point about learning – it’s hard to relate if you don’t understand. Learning can go a long way in helping us relate in a variety of things. Thanks again and see you Sunday.

      Brad

  5. Pat

    Hey Brad,
    Thanks for wanting to learn more and how to relate better to those in this lifestyle. It is important now more than ever that we speak with love and truth when talking about this issue. Thanks for having the courage to speak about it from the pulpit. Remember we are fighting a winable war. The state of Va. voted on this issue and I think it passed by almost 70% that marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman. Just because a radical federal judge overruled the state ruling doesn’t mean it will stand. This is why it is important to elect leaders that will follow the constitution and what it stands for. Marriage is a time tested institution and we shouldn’t allow a small minority to change the definition. It is worth fighting for, it is part of the moral fiber of our nation and our society.
    Thanks again for your leadership.

  6. Doug

    Rhett, the reason that homosexuals are front and center is because Christians are being jailed and fired from their jobs for disagreeing with the gay lifestyle view. Adulterers and fornicators are not the reason Christians are losing their religious freedom.doug

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