This is the blog that hopes to discuss the video interview I recorded on Youtube (and marked for private viewing).
First let me say that this video was made as part of fulfilling an assignment at seminary. I attended the class "Human Sexuality" at Nazarene Theological Seminary, and believe me, we talked over many things relating to humanity and our sexuality. Remarkably, a third of the students (who were mostly Nazarene) agreed that homosexuality was perfectly biblically allowable, another third believed the Bible was very clear that it was sin, and others tried to find a middle ground. I take my stance mostly in the middle ground, and my video should make clear my beliefs.
As for the interview with the pastor at Trinity United Methodist church, I did agree with many things the pastor said, and I disagreed with some things she said. For those of you who want to get me kicked out of the ministry for not telling her where her sins were, I believe that it wasn't my place or my time to say anything of the sort. Besides... think about it: Do you think I could say something she hadn't heard before in her twenty plus years of ministry?
Besides, much of what was going through my head (which I believe was the Holy Spirit) was the scriptures which state, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (found in Romans 14:19) and "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (found in 1 Thess. 5:11). Among all those scriptures were the wise words of my mother, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all," and I agree. Say what nice things you can say, and when you have earned their respect and trust then you may have a God guided opportunity to speak the truth, and speak it in love (read Eph. 4:15).
Many of the good things Trinity was doing was evident in the way their community supported them. That Easter Sunday of 2010 that I attended Trinity I heard from a church member that when the Phelps family (of Topeka Kansas) picketed their church months earlier left, a member of the community took a broom from their own home and swept the sidewalk clean. I took it as the community was sweeping away the spiritual filth that they had left behind. Such an action taken by the community is a testimony to the grace that God has shed to (and through) Trinity United Methodist. If a Christian can see or hear the grace of God being poured out on someone, no matter who it is, I believe it is a Christian's duty to profess it and give praise to God! To my brothers and sisters in Trinity, I give thanks to all that you have done to radiate God's love to your community. If your community can see it (as they have), then I will not be condemned by keeping my mouth shut to what God is doing through you.
As for the things that I disagree with, I would rather not write a lengthy article. For time purposes, I will come back to this later. In the mean time, I wanted to post these thoughts, and maybe spur on some discussion in a civil manner. If you wish to respond, please do so thoughtfully, with tact, and with love.
Thank you.
