I’m a little later than usual tonight, as I had to go to the dentist for my semiannual (I think that’s right. Can’t be biennial, can it?) check-up and cleaning. Since I know you’re keeping score, you’ll be relieved to know that no cavities were discovered. However there is that tooth with the old root canal that’s going to crumble like an abandoned house deck in Florida one of these days. And there’s the other tooth that’s mostly amalgam, which also needs replacement. But I put them off. I always think that I’ll maybe have some money six months from now.
If you go to this page (which you probably can’t read because it’s in Norwegian), and scroll down (unless you’re reading this article in the future, when everything’s down in Archive territory), you’ll find a story headlined, “Homoprest nekter å vie enkjønnede samliv.” Which means, “Homosexual pastor refuses to bless same-sex relationships.” I’ll translate the rest for you, because this is really interesting, and I can’t find a report in English anywhere:
Homosexual priest Erik Johansson of the Swedish (Lutheran) Church has chosen to live in celibacy. Johansson refuses to bless same-sex relationships, even though this may lead to his expulsion from his own church.
Unfortunately this web site charges you to get the rest of the story, but I really want to know more. It seems to me this is precisely the way it ought to be. A homosexual willing to submit to the same sexual morality the Bible demands of all of us, which in his case means celibacy, is qualified to operate as a pastor and upholds Biblical teaching. Maybe I’m missing something, but this guy sounds like a hero who ought to be celebrated throughout the evangelical world.
I really hate to disagree with you on this one Lars; but I can't accept your view. If the man is wrong in his heart he's just plain wrong. Whether the people of this day want to accept it or not the Bible speaks out plainly against homosexuality. The fact his sin isn't acted out doesn't make it acceptable. He has no right to be a pastor and should give up his post.
– contrary to what some people might imagine there plenty of folk in the homosexual community who scorn the idea of 'same sex' marriage. This doesn't make them christian.
We'll have to disagree on that, then. All pastors suffer from sexual temptations, and they come in many and various forms, among which is the homosexual one. Heterosexuals aren't expected to be without impure drives, and are qualified so long as they leave those drives unacted-on. The same goes for homosexuals. Nobody is right in his heart.
What about someone who recognizes that they are a glutton, but refuses to live as a glutton? They confess their sinful glutton nature, but to the best of their ability and with the grace of God do not give in to that nature. Should that person be barred from serving as a pastor? (I speak of gluttony because I recognize that I could easily fall into that sin. Your mileage may vary.)
Seems to me that what the Bible speaks clearly against is homosexual acts. (I know what they are; I'm not sure I could give a good explanation of what "homosexuality" is.)