Like Rachel, I too have winced and cringed as preachers have condemned homosexuality as if it is an unforgiveable abomination that only weird and wicked people outside of church struggled with. But I would ask his permission to let the pastor know about his situation because I’d want to urge the pastor to greater sensitivity towards those struggling with homosexuality. Rather I’d want him to see himself as creature made in God’s image, a man with many parts to his identity, a person with many gifts, a son with a diverse character and personality, one part of which, at least for the moment, is to have a homosexual desires.Įighth, I would ask him to keep coming to church, especially as homosexuality is sometimes the result of worshipping self rather than God ( Romans 1:24-25). Seventh, I’d encourage the son not to see himself as a homosexual, not to define himself by his sexuality. Perhaps ask him if he’d be willing to discuss certain Bible passages with you. However, if he says that he believes homosexuality to be okay and he’s decided to pursue it, then while assuring him of your continued love and care, you must lovingly warn him of the spiritual and physical dangers of homosexuality. Without it, there can be no lasting victory. Having our sins forgiven and our consciences cleansed of guilt is THE most powerful force in the world for battling temptation. Sixth, if your son agrees that homosexuality is sinful, and he wants to have victory over these temptations, then there are many Gospel promises you can encourage him with. Some other important questions can be found here. What is your own view of it? Do you think it’s wrong and are you seeking help to change and be delivered? Or do you think it’s right? Are you therefore planning to pursue homosexual relationships? Or are you in one already? How long has this been going on for? Is it possible it’s just temporary confusion about sexuality that some teenagers go through? What thoughts, feelings, and actions make you say that? Tell him that you’re asking them to help you both to understand this better. 10:13).įifth, begin to ask some questions. Emphasize that you have had your own struggles with sex and many failings, but that you also take your sexual brokenness to a forgiving God who cleanses from sin, sometimes take away the temptation, and other times gives the grace to resist the urgings ( 1 Cor. In doing so, Rachel is, unwittingly I’m sure, aiding and abetting the militant LGBT movement who want to demonize and silence all opposition to their agenda.įourth, when you do start speaking on a deeper level, begin by sharing with him how you also are broken in your own sexuality. However, it’s irresponsible and unfair to group all who say that homosexuality is immoral as bullies of Christ’s little ones. Are there bullies who hold these views? Yes, sadly, of course there are. Second, Rachel seems to identify everyone who takes the view that homosexual desires are part of broken human sinfulness, and that homosexual actions are sin, as bullies.
No matter what they do, they remain Christ’s “little ones.” There is no indication that she sees anything wrong or unbiblical about homosexuality. She seems to convey that homosexual desires are not part of human brokenness, and that to pursue homosexual practices does not have any bearing on a person’s relationship with Christ. However, I would challenge Rachel in two areas.įirst, she doesn’t communicate any concern about the sinfulness of homosexual desires nor the immorality of homosexual actions. I admire and agree with her motive, and must say that I’ve learned from her in this area of being much more careful in how I speak and write about homosexuality.
I believe Rachel’s motivation is to create a more welcoming and loving environment in the church for those who identify themselves as homosexuals, or who struggle with homosexual desire. May I be part of creating a world in which I will not have to protect her from the bullies. I would want her to know that she isn’t broken, she isn’t an embarrassment, she isn’t a disappointment. I would want her to know nothing could separate her from the love of God in Christ. If God blesses Dan and me with a child who is gay, I would want that child to know without a doubt that he or she is loved unconditionally. Rachel Held Evans concludes her blog post If my son or daughter were gay with this paragraph: