It’s a sad commentary on Christianity in America that many people are surprised and even thrilled when a Christian church takes a stand that is, well, Christian. But let’s not quibble: Kudos to Fort Worth’s Broadway Baptist Church for its brave step toward affirming longtime gay members by severing ties with the gay-hating Baptist General Convention of Texas. To understand the significance of this, you should know: Broadway joined BGCT way, way, waaay back in 1886.
For some good background on what led Broadway to its historic decision, check out our cover story from August 2009. Broadway’s pastor Brent Beasley describes the decision to walk away as “sad but necessary.” No doubt he’s a humbler and more pious Christian than I am, because after long and earnest reflection, my response is: “Yo, Baptist General Convention – don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out!”
1 Corinthians 6:9 (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
Finally!! True Christ like actions coming from a church.
Mr. Bain:
1 corinthians 6:9 KJV(this version predates your”new international version”)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Cr 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cr 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Please note the lack of the word “homosexuals” anywhere is this text.
Also please take note of 1 corinthians 6:11. Which states that EVERYONE has the opportunity of salvation. A sin is a sin in the eyes of God. Only through human eyes are there gray areas. Only the one who has never sinned has the right to judge anyone and thats not me or you. Its our job to love our neighbor regardless. That’s true Christianity, not rules set by men that twist sacred texts to suit their own bigotry and judgements.
Jeremiah,
Some translations use “homosexual” and others such as the King James use “abusers of themselves with mankind”. I’m not a gay basher by any means, I just stumbled across this when I was a youth and was surrounded by fornicators. I have noticed that in many instances where the bible addresses fornication, it lumps it in with adultry and homosexuality as one single “sex crime”. In fact, I use it when people who are known fornicators or adulterers are saying something about gays or gay rights to point out that biblically they are the same thing.
My real issue is that people try to make it a Baptist thing, when in actuality Christianity, Judaism and Islam all condem homosexuality as a sin, and have for a thousand years.
The article and some of the comments show an ignorance of Christ, Christianity, and the Scriptures. I’m sorry if you’ve been burned by anyone in the name of Christianity, but it shouldn’t stop you from seeking the truth about Christ. Truth spoken by a friend can be painful but necessary. So the Bible clearly describes God’s perfect plan for sexual intimacy. That it is offensive to some does not mean that God or Christians hate people who engage in immoral behavior. Surely you know that. But to say what you do is good at pushing your agenda. I hope you come to know the truth and love that is in Christ. (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Romans 1: 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Alan:
I understand that homosexuality can be lumped into that general term but it was used as a broad term not just to single any immoral act out. Like I said before a sin is a sin and I can’t cast the first stone and neither should anyone else be able to.
Just reading this comment thread reminds me why I fled Christianity (and religion in general) when I grew up.
What a force for evil it is.
Amen
Roy:
I kind of agree with you. Religion is often used for evil purposes and thats what makes it so sad because it wasn’t meant to be that way. Man created boundries of faith. I’m a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you want to label that as “Christian” thats fine but thats as far as I allow the classification. segregation through ritual and interpretation is a major problem is in religion in general.
I do think it would be wrong to single out homosexuality as the only sexual act considered sin. Most church’s I know do not have a problem with the homosexual person. The problem is with the acts they commit that are Biblically considered sin. Most churches would no sooner welcome a prostitute who continues to prostitue herself/himself to become a pastor, teacher, elder or bishop. However, either who repents, asks for forgiveness, and discontinues the sinful activity can become a fully active participant leading to leadership in most churches. A man or woman found to be participating in adultery cannot continue in leadership. He/she must confess, repent and demonstrate lifestyle change before he/she can be accepted into leadership roles. To accept the homosextual who desires to continue in activity forbidden by God without recognizing it, repenting for it and allowing God to help him/her to change their life negates the need for repentance and salvation and the need for God’s greatest gift to man, His Son, Jesus.