Tag: sex

Debates are currently raging in Australia about same sex marriage. There are Christians who say really dumb stuff in opposition to the proposed changes to The Marriage Act. The pro same-sex marriage lobby also say some pretty dumb stuff. I have a ‘don’t be a Christian jerk‘ policy in life and online. But if I’ve personally offended you, I’m genuinely sorry if and when my tone and manner has been offensive.

Earlier this week I posted the Australian Christian Lobby animation, I don’t think it says much, and I think that it overemphasises procreation as central to marriage. Typically, I don’t think that ACL are the best political voice for Christians. In the embedded video above (click here if you can’t see it) John Dickson and Simon Smart from Centre for Public Christianity offer a great approach for Christians to engage lovingly on this issue. Watch it. Let me know what you think.

I haven’t yet watched it, but I understand that John Dickson was featured in a good interview on ONE PLUS ONE last Friday. Check it. EDIT: I’ve now watched it. It’s very good. Watch from 10:50 for about 10 minutes. I love the model of Christian discourse with the wider community encouraged by JD.

Here is some more Christian content from the last 18 months worth considering:

• Time for some nuance between the gay and the god-fearing – John Dickson
• The modern marriage ideology – Andrew Cameron
• Stylish same-sex campaign glosses over real issues – Peter Jensen
• An apology from a Pastor to the gay community – Hans Kristensen
• 9 things that Inform the way Christians Interact with the Gay Community – Hans Kristensen
• Homosexuality – Hot Topics 2012 Part 1 – Andrew Heard
• Same-Sex Marriage – Hot Topics Part 2 – Andrew Heard

NEW LINKS 3 JULY 2012:

• A Key Motivator for Christians in the “Gay Marriage” Debate – David Ould
• What sort of marriages do homosexual people want? – Eternity Newspaper

I believe that Christians ought to have a voice in this debate to commend a Biblical view on marriage. But ultimately, there is no expectation in the Bible that Christians can legislate how the rest of the world should live.

The most important thing that Christians can do is point people to Jesus. ALL people need to hear the wonderful news of Jesus. Jesus loves you, he died for your sin, he rose again to guarantee eternal life to all who trust in him. Check out these relevant posts for more info about Jesus: The King who Saves; The King Who Rules; Faith 101; The G.O.S.P.E.L.; No More Fear in Death; Responding to the Evidence.

John Dickson has written a great article for ABC Unleashed arguing for a more nuanced discussion about homosexuality. It’s reasonable, intelligent and well-argued.

I think this is an important issue to be discussing and appreciate Dickson’s input. Christians have to work hard at not being jerks in how we speak.

Here’s another recent article from Michael Jensen on the issue.

EDIT: Here’s a great quote from Dickson:

There is a failure of ethical imagination here, an inability to utilise two mental muscles at the same time: the muscle of strong conviction and the muscle of compassion for all. Jesus was the master of this ethical exploit. Open the Gospel of Luke at chapter 13 and you’ll hear him condemning certain behaviour and warning of coming judgment. Continue through to chapter 15 and you’ll find him wining and dining with ‘sinners’ – those you might have thought were first in line for judgment – and illustrating the point with a parable about a father’s love for his prodigal son. Keep reading to the end of the story and the point is made with disturbing clarity: so seriously did Jesus take sin that he thought he had to die for it; so seriously did he love sinners, a category in which he placed us all, that he thought he had to die for them. He was able to be morally exacting and deeply compassionate toward the same people at the same time – though it is a sad and undeniable fact that many in the church since have had difficulty emulating the feat.