Every Monday we’ll post something to do with maintaining sexual purity. Hope it helps.
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Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated
About Jason Collins, Homosexuality and Christianity
Two weeks ago I posted about a then-unknown pro athlete who was shortly going to “come out” and declare his homosexuality. Yesterday NBA pro Jason Collins ended the suspense by announcing not only that he was the one, but that he’s also, in his own words, someone who “takes the teachings of Jesus seriously.”
So this is how I’d respond to him if given the chance.
Dear Jason,
For weeks now, there’s been buzz about an unnamed pro-player getting ready to come out of the closet, and clearly you’re the man. No doubt there’ve been other members of the NBA, NFL or NHL who were also gay, but in pro-ball, you’re the trailblazer. You came out openly while still playing, a decision which can’t have been easy for you but, by your own account, felt necessary.
And now you’re news, big news, and no doubt both you and your sexuality will be analyzed and debated ad infinitum. Plenty of folks are praising you, with the President himself calling to offer you support and the applause shows no sign of fading. Others object while some, myself included, have mixed feelings about all of this. May I explain why?
If your announcement helps shatter myths about homosexuality – that all gay men are effeminate, for example, or weak, or incapable of manly pursuits like basketball – then fine. I find it incredible that anyone still clings to those stereotypes in 2013, but some do, and maybe your revelation will educate them. Not all of them – the God Hates Fags and So Do I crowd has no interest in mental growth – but your accomplishments as a man in such manly endeavors will probably cause some to think more realistically about the difference between homosexual men and effeminate men, a difference you of all people can appreciate. And if young people looking up to you develop more consideration for their neighbor, be he gay or straight, because of your announcement, then good has certainly come of it. The last thing any
of us wants is yet another gay teen suicide evoked by inhuman bullying from classmates, so if you’ve prevented that, you’ve done some good.
Besides all of which, you’ve every right to be open about yourself, your sexuality included. So if you felt it necessary, for your own self-respect and peace of mind, to reveal this, then so be it.
But by your own account you’re not just another pro shooting hoops. You’ve also identified yourself as someone who “takes the teachings of Jesus seriously.” I do too, so I can’t help but ask, with respect and even admiration for who you are and what you’ve achieved on the courts:
Really, Jason? All of them? Can we look at a few of them together?
He said we’re not to judge (Matthew 7:1) and that we’re called to love one another (John 15:12) and our neighbor as well, even as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) I’m sure we’re both cool with those.
He also warned that hearing His words and not acting on them was akin to building on a flimsy foundation (Matthew 7: 24-26) and that claiming to love Him without obeying Him is unacceptable. (John 14:15) Obeying Him, in fact, means death to ourselves – His words; not mine – (Luke 9:23) and refusal to accept that part of the faith constitutes, according to Him, unworthiness to even profess it. (Matthew 10:38)
Maybe you and I part company here; maybe not.
Then there’s the standard for marriage and sexuality which He clarified in terms unmistakable:
“But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. (Mark 10:8)
He made no other provision for, or definition of, marriage and the sexual union. So here we’re definitely in disagreement. You seem to feel your sexual attractions are natural and good, a conviction you hold so strongly that you’re willing to put yourself on the line for it. I feel just as strongly that any desires taking us outside the standard He Himself set cannot be good; shouldn’t be yielded to; mustn’t be celebrated. After all, there’s quite a difference between admitting a sexual orientation versus expressing it, even legitimizing it, despite Christ’s clear teaching to the contrary. That’s why I scratch my head when you claim to revere His words, words that you cannot, to my thinking, read as anything but a condemnation of what you’re now embracing.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not questioning whether or not you’re truly a Christian, because only God knows your heart’s state. I’m saying you’re
wrong about this, whether you’re saved or unsaved, because we both know “Christian” doesn’t necessarily mean “right”, and “saved” is by no means synonymous with “in God’s will.” All of us, Christian or not, can kid ourselves into thinking what we feel is self-evidently God given, as Jeremiah aptly put it:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
So looking at the many feelings we experience – some good; some not – I cannot imagine Him approving of us yielding to desires simply because we’ve always had them. That, it seems, would lead to the worst and most chaotic form of anarchy.
Anyway, I’m sure that during the current glare of publicity and even affirmation you’re receiving, it’s hard to give this viewpoint serious thought. But please, Jason, will you at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, reconsider whether or not this is what God intended for you? Consider it not in light of what you feel, or are being told, but by what we’ve already been told in the document He gave us when He inspired the Bible’s authors with an infallible guide for all of life and conduct. (II Timothy 3:16)
Meanwhile, like so many others, I wish you the best. I wish you success, protection, and security. But mostly, I wish you the joy of hearing, when this race we’re all running is over, praise from the only Judge who matters in the end. May your course be finished with Him declaring openly, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Comments
JW | Apr 30, 2013
Amen....
Jerry | Apr 30, 2013
Well said Joe, well said.
P. Shuttleworth | Apr 30, 2013
I love what you wrote, except for the "I’m not questioning whether or not you’re truly a Christian, because only God knows your heart’s state. I’m saying you’re wrong about this, whether you’re saved or unsaved,"
Why do I disagree with what you wrote here?
Because of Romans 1:24-27:
"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error." and many other verses in the BIble referring to this and also let's not forget what the Lord says about homosexuality, that it is an abomination.
Verse 33: "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death..." I believe this passage talks about eternal death. I do not believe someone who knows or not the Bible and still consciously continues to practice what is wrong can be called 'saved'. Unfortunately Jason Collins is blind to God's truth and is not saved. I am not the one who is the judge or deciding on his salvation, but am merely speaking of what the Bible says of what happens to those who choose sin: Eternal death.
That's all I have to say.
In Christ,
P. Shuttleworth
Scott | Apr 30, 2013
But to P. Shuttleworth.....Is telling Jason Collins that he is not saved going to be more where he is offended so he cannot hear the truth? Meaning do you lean into him with the unsaved first(as it seems you exclaim) than to approach him like Joe would've...I think it wouldve gonna better Joe's way
Wisdomforlife | Apr 30, 2013
The morality currently being imposed says that if you choose a different viewpoint on homosexual behavior, you’ll be treated as a social outcast and made the object of condescending ridicule or angry intolerance — you might even get fired from your job!
This strategy of social coercion to approve the sexual preferences of a small number of people who want to engage same-sex behavior has gotten out of control. We’re not being asked to tolerate but forced to approve and celebrate homosexual preferences. In many places, you’re simply not permitted to have a different viewpoint. This irrational insanity must end.
From: Tolerance as a strategy, not a virtue http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/tolerance-as-a-strategy-not-a-virtue/
jerry | Apr 30, 2013
JERRY SAYS
First, as Jesus says, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," or "judge not that you be not judged."
I am convinced that some people are simply that way. They are not demonstrative or predators. As one gay said, "Do you think I sat down one day and said, 'Now how can I cause grief & sorrow for my family, and excruciating days of persecution & ostracism for myself? Oh, I know, I will decide to be gay.'".That just doesn't jibe, unless the person is a fool.
Does God intend for a gay person to never know the love and companionship which we all seek? Does God wish for many gays to feel rejection & judgment when they seek to worship Him in church?
If homosexuality is a sin, so is judgment. Sin is sin, regardless of its name.
Perhaps unnatural urges & relationships are those where love does not exist, or infidelity rules.
Tony Smith | Apr 30, 2013
I agree with you Scott. P. Shuttleworth, I think the point that Joe is making is correct. Your reference to Romans 1 is correct, but specifically directed at those who have rejected the revelation of God. It appears, at least on the surface, that Jason claims to believe in Jesus Christ. I think Joe is simply trying to demonstrate to Jason the conflict between his behavior and his claim to take Jesus seriously. If Jason does then there is the need to call him to repentance as Joe has done. Just like the man who was sleeping with his fathers wife (1 Cor. 5), there is a need to rebuke, but also we cannot assess the true condition of his eternal soul. Just my thoughts...
david zailer | May 1, 2013
Well said, Joe. Grateful for your incredible contributions!
David Zailer
Operation Integrity
Shirley | May 1, 2013
Beautifully said Joe.
Drew | May 1, 2013
I connected with you briefly at a New Direction conference in Winnipeg many years ago. I have such conflicted feelings. At the time, your words and ministries like New Direction seemed like an oasis. Now, I feel by clinging on to the empty promises of these lines of thinking, indeed of Christianity in general, I threw away the best years of my life. Rage, grief. Chr*st. I'm not a subject for academic/theological discussion. I'm a person with real needs in the here and now.
Truth...I'm so very tired of hearing about the "truth", about things metaphysical, of which we can never be certain. I'm so very weary of people inflicting pain and suffering on others in the name of this elusive truth.
John Leonardson | May 1, 2013
This is a complicated issue, but yet simple at its core. Will you obey God's Word and principles or not? It's a shame that it's considered heroic to admit you are a rebel. When we truly trust God, we trust his standards and decisions. When the Lord says this is the right circumstance for sex - within the marriage covenant - then, even if we don't understand, we align our life accordingly. There are all kinds of sinful impulses we must conquer. Homosexuality is only one of them.
I have mentored men with the gay lifestyle and asked them to be honest with me. I asked them to show me places where they met for anonymous sex or places that encouraged such activity. I was amazed at the variety of places - certain sections of a park, dept. stores, certain bathrooms, etc. I did the eulogy for a friend who died of aids (before our current drugs were available). It's not popular, but this all makes me sad. What a waste of time and energy in addition to the sin element.
Strong impulses toward the same sex can be healthy. It's the enemy who twists things around so it has to end in sex and orgasm. We can use more healthy same sex relationships that center on Jesus and encouragement to follow him. In general, we don't know how to handle intimacy, so it becomes confused with sex.
So blessings to true heroes who feel impure impulses, but instead follow Jesus
Prince Duncan Cervantes Maylas | May 2, 2013
Very well said Joe.God bless you more!!! :)
Hector | May 5, 2013
Excellent and clear!
martha | May 8, 2013
What about Christians who after years of repressing their sexuality, even after being married and having children, decide to go back to homosexuality (like John Paulk)? Are they still saved? If God isn't going to get rid of impulses considered "sinful" what's the point of struggling? What if the Bible is wrong about that?
Andrew | May 9, 2013
Great post, brother
Tony Smith | May 10, 2013
"Your data on the MIG is inaccurate." Being an air traffic controller for 28 years, couldn't help but begin this reply with a "Top Gun" quote that applies! :) Your data and assertions are inaccurate. The Bible did not come to be as a result of the Council of Nicea. In fact, fact not speculation, the entire Old Testament was in black and white at least 300 years before Jesus went to the cross. It's called the Septuagint. Translated from Hebrew to Greek around 295BC. The Dead Sea Scrolls also vindicate the authenticity of the Scripture, and its accuracy. Just from the writings of the Ante-Nicean church fathers you can find every verse of the New Testament with the exception of some 10-12 verses. A lot of these transcripts and fragments dating back to within 20-30 years of their actual writing. We have more evidence to accept the authenticity of the Old and New Testaments than we have for any other document(s) on the face of this planet!!!! I would suggest several resources to you; "Evidence That Demands A Verdict", "When Skeptics Ask", and "When Critics Ask" just to name a few. Whoever has misled you into thinking that there are "errors" and "contradictions" have obviously been able to fool you. I have studied the Bible for 22 years and haven't found even one.
Tony Smith | May 11, 2013
CHARLESM, Sorry if you misunderstood my comments. I didn't say that the Dead Sea Scrolls had anything to do with the New Testament. I was simply addressing the alleged "errors" and "contradictions" you said existed in the Bible. My only point being that the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Ante-Nicean writings of church fathers are only one of many validations that these 66 books written by 40 different authors over a period of some 4,000 years that we hold in our lap is, with few trivial exceptions, as close to the original writings as can be. Not sure just how the New Testament is more "problematic". Also not sure what "most scholars" your referencing (maybe the "Jesus Seminar"? I would highly recommend the a fore mentioned books that I referenced before closing your mind to the idea that the New Testament might not be what you claim it is. Unfortunately we've gotten really far from the original topic of this thread, and the depths of the current discussion are probably better off handled in a different format other than using Mr. Dallas' forum for what he really wished to discuss. God bless your journey CHARLESM, and remember; The surest barrier to arriving at the truth is the presumption that you already have it! :)
C thomas | May 29, 2013
I am dealing with my son and this very issue. He is moving to Minnesota to move in with his friend. I brought my son and daughter up in church, we have always been and always will be here for him. He has always been involved in church but since February has been searching , opened that door for satan to come in. He started hanging with people that said you need to be true to yourself, that once saved always saved. I love my son and what he is doing is not right, but he says I'm just religious . Iam a Christian, I believe what God says in His word is true and that this is a choice he was not born this way. But at this point I'm wrong , he is right, and he is leaving. So much more I could say but talking to him is like talking to a brick wall. So I have had to lay him at the feet of Jesus and give him to God because only He can change Him. I can only pray and believe in the promises that God gave me. I know that my son will be back , it just breaks my heart to see him throw everything away and turn from God.
Thomas c
Nora V. Seemann | May 9, 2014
To C THOMAS: Keep on loving your son unconditionally. Our Lord, the Shepherd who continually seeks those sheep who have gone astray, will be ever present in your son's life - to draw him home to the Father. He is relentless. My own daughter lived in homosexuality for 24 years, and I know the pain and heartache you are experiencing. Today, 13 years later, I praise God for her testimony, for her walk with Christ in celibacy and for her witness to parents whose children are straying. Keep HOPE in God alive. He IS the answer to your concern for your son, and HE is what your son is truly seeking. He is, honestly, misguided. BUT, God.... trust Him and walk in victory. My prayers are for you, your family, and your son.
To JOE: Thank you, once again, for your stand for God and the truth of the Word. You bless us all.
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