1-25-04
Homosexuality and abortion are two things about which there is agreement among most
evangelical Christians (leaving aside any discussion about what an evangelical Christian
might be for now). Homosexual activity and abortion are both bad in God's sight and we,
evangelical Christians, agree with God. These are also things about which we apparently
disagree with many others. To the world, or a goodly portion of the world, abortion is a
choice and the morality of the choice is for the chooser alone to ponder. Homosexuality, on
the other hand, is not a choice at all but rather is genetically determined, so morality is moot.
One is what one is.
We have tried to change minds on these issues. We have tried by force of argument and in
some cases by force of arms. I'm not sure that enough have tried force of love. If we
loved them as we are called to love the "run-of-the-mill" lost sinner we'd pray for them
fervently, if we loved them we'd demonstrate that love in a Jesus-like fashion.
Perhaps we love these "worse sinners" for a different reason. Not like that everyday sinner
who is practically useless in our spiritual progress as he is too obviously like us. Do we
really want to see these much more grievous sinners change? Who then would we vilify?
Who would make our adultery, our greed, our prayerlessness, our idolatry seem so innocent
without the abortionist and the homosexual for comparison. They are a pretty good deal for
evangelical preachers as well. Who in the typical congregation will not amen the rant against
these abominations? But, the amens might change if we preached on reporting cash receipts
on taxes or the cheerleader's costumes at NFL games. Change to what? Don't want to
know.