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Hmmmm...

A January 29, 2008 press release issued by a church within our small town included the following:

"__ __ Methodist Church has chosen to celebrate "Reconciliation Sunday" on February 17, 2008 at the 10 a.m. worship gathering in their sanctuary" (street address follows). "In order to celebrate our ministries of God's love and justice for all people, we chose this day to specifically celebrate reconciliation between the church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered (LGBT) community.

We are saddened by spiritual violence that is often inflicted on our LGBT brothers and sisters in the name of God. We know that our taking this stand may risk relationships with others, but we feel this is the most faithful interpretation of the entire scriptural (sic) witness. We deeply desire to stand in solidarity with all oppressed persons as we witness to God's radical hospitality and inclusive love."

A "revised mission statement" adopted in December 2007 follows, stating that this church seeks to "actively embrace" and "fully include all persons in the life of the church," (quotations in original) "regardless or race or ethnicity, ability level (mental or physical), age, living situation or employment status, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, veteran status, educational background, or political preference."

Is this a biblical "mission statement" or a socio-political one?

While we're on the subject of questions, here are a few more (I'm sure you can add several):

What is "spiritual violence"? How does as Christian "celebrate reconciliation" as noted above? What does that mean? In context, does "celebrate" translate into accept, condone, tolerate, or something else? What constitues an "oppressed person" and why? Based on what? What is "God's radical hospitality and inclusive love"? Statements like "the entire scriptural witness" seem to imply that something has been omitted or overlooked previously - like what?

What do you think?

Posted by Kristine at February 10, 2008 6:34 PM Gender issues | TrackBack

Comments

I think you ask some good questions.

We can “embrace” people, of course, without condoning all of their behavior or attitudes. “People” would include everybody, and ourselves, because none of us is sinless. But if churches want to allow sexual sinners to fully participate in the life of the church, then they must also allow known wife-beaters, liars, robbers, cheaters, and the like to do so as well.

Reconciliation can happen in various ways under various premises. In the Christian church, though, these premises must be true to Scripture.

I could say that telling me that greed is a sin is spiritual violence, if I'd rather shop 'til I drop. Oppression, then, would be the result of this “spiritual violence.” (i.e., I can't max out my credit card at Macy's.)

The “entire Scriptural witness” probably refers to passages picked and chosen out of context (misinterpreted) to support the cause of sin-reclassification.

It all boils down to people wanting to do and get what they want. And who doesn't want approval and "celebration," right?

But their approach belies the basis of their cause. Even if it was a justice, or equality, or human-rights issue, campaigning on those grounds is bogus. They co-opt God instead of relying upon Him.

Posted by: Bonnie at February 11, 2008 10:47 PM
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