From: pearsodc@nextwork.rose-hulman.edu (Douglas C. Pearson)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Homosexuality and the so-called "Christian biblical stance."
Date: 22 Jul 92 06:37:49 GMT
Organization: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

ONSTOTT CHARLES OR writes
> 
> Question: Should a church be expelled from a convention if it contains
> a ordinated homosexual minister?
> 
> Answer: NO.  Refer to answer given above on Christ's love and 
> forgivingness.
> [...]
> Objection to reply: To answer as such is again to priveledge the 
> sin of man over the forgivingness of christ.  Did not Christ himself 
> pick those who seemed, at that time, the least worthy?  If homosexuality
> can, in fact, be shown to be a evil(which I doubt), doesn't this make 
> the person seem unworthy, perhaps even the least worthy?  If so, how are
> we to question the work of the Lord on this issue?  
> 
> Conclusion: It is unjustifiable on biblical, and spiritual, grounds to
> expell a church for ordinating and staffing a homosexual minister.

I apologize to the moderator for including the bulk of Mr. Onstott's  
second argument, but this is a VERY DANGEROUS attitude to take towards a  
man doing the Lord's work, and it should be read carefully.

I believe it was James (forgive me for not being up on my New Testament  
reading) who said that a bishop (read: Christian leader) should be beyond  
reproach in his walk with Christ.  The fact that a minister(/pastor/  
preacher/bishop) is going to have stumbles is a given.  What too many  
leaders in Christ's church do today is try to continue their ministries  
while they themselves are in a bad place with the Lord -FOR THIS VERY  
REASON-; they believe that the forgiveness of Christ takes precedence over  
the sins of man, WHILE NEGLECTING THE NEEDS OF THEIR CONGREGATION!

Note:  this DOES NOT mean that the congregation will necessarily partake  
of such evils, although that is a possibility.  The certainty is that  
Satan WILL find his way into that congregation through its leader's sin,  
and he will manifest himself in the way that's most convenient to him.   
When that happens, (a) will the pastor of that congregation be able to  
discern the prescence of the enemy in his midst, and (b) is he is able to,  
what will he be able to do about it?

Yes, Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins.  But they're not forgiven  
until we admit to ourselves that we are sinners.  And wouldn't you agree,  
Mr. Onstott, that you don't want a man who is open to the attack of Satan  
leading -your- congregation?

The most proper response a minister can make to this type of a situation  
is to leave his ministry temporarily (or even permanently) to pray and to  
allow God to re-order his life.  If a minister, in the face of such  
indiscretion, refuses to leave his ministry, then I see no problem with  
the parent convention of that church expelling it. 
> 
> Question:  Which is more spiritually damaging to Christian followers:
> closed minded, dogmatic application of selected lines from the Bible, 
> or, the actual teaching of Christ?
> 
The most damaging doctrine being taught in Christ's Church right now is  
the tolerance of certain beliefs and behaviors that were clearly not the  
intentions of our Father.  

Sorry if that came across as a flame, for that was not how I intended it.  

Chuck Pearson
PearsoDC@NeXTWork.Rose-Hulman.Edu