Blessing to thank god for being gay
In the early 2000s, the gay Christian Network in the US developed various terms to describe the different positions that homosexual Christians take toward the complex subject of how they should live and identify.
Over the past ten years, every major denomination or tradition of Christianity has ruled mainly in favour of two groups of LGBT/same-sex attracted (SSA) people. The first is called Side A, or the progressive group who see gay marriage as compatible with God’s will and purposes.
The second is Side Y, which believes that gay identity and same-sex attraction are innately sinful or disordered. Some of these groups would embrace the idea of sexual orientation change as the norm for Christian discipleship.
What we are seeing today is the undoing of the Reformation in the Church of England
At the centre of this centrifuge of culture war positions is a tiny, beleaguered-but-brave group called Side B (represented by a bee emoticon on social media). We believe that gay identity, while fallen like all identities, is not essentially sinful and is to be famous, but that same-sex sexual lust and activity is sinful, and gay marriage is clearly unbiblical and misaligned with th
“Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, Oct. 2007, 42–45
A pleasant adolescent man in his first 20s sat across from me. He had an engaging smile, although he didn’t smile often during our talk. What drew me in was the pain in his eyes.
“I don’t know if I should remain a member of the Church,” he said. “I don’t assume I’m worthy.”
“Why wouldn’t you be worthy?” I asked.
“I’m gay.”
I suppose he mind I would be startled. I wasn’t. “And … ?” I inquired.
A flicker of relief crossed his face as he sensed my continued interest. “I’m not attracted to women. I’m attracted to men. I’ve tried to ignore these feelings or change them, but …”
He sighed. “Why am I this way? The feelings are very real.”
I paused, then said, “I desire a little more facts before advising you. You see, same-gender attraction is not a sin, but acting on those feelings is—just as it would be with heterosexual feelings. Do you violate the law of chastity?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
This time I was relieved. “Thank you for wanting to deal with this,” I said. “It takes courage to discuss about it, and I honor you for keeping yourself clean.
“As for why you feel as you do, I
How Should Christians Respond to Gay Friends or Family Members?
Caleb Kaltenbach (M.A. ’07) is an alumnus of Biola’s Talbot School of Theology, lead pastor of a large church in Simi Valley, Calif., and a married father of two. He’s also an emerging voice in the discussion of how Christians should engage the LGBT community. That’s because Kaltenbach has an insider perspective, having been raised by a dad and mom who divorced and independently came out of the closet as a gay gentleman and a sapphic. Raised in the midst of LGBT parties and movement parades, Kaltenbach became a Christian and a pastor as a young grown-up. Today, he manages the tension of holding to the traditional biblical instruction on sexuality while loving his lgbtq+ parents.
Kaltenbach’s unique story is detailed in his new guide Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction and landed him on the front page of the New York Times in June. Biola Magazine reached out to him to talk about his book and his perspective on how Christians can surpass navigate the complexities of this issue with truth and grace.
In your guide you say that it’s time for Christians to retain the issu [DE - EN - ES - FR - HR - IT - PL - VI - ZH_CN - ZH_TW] DICASTERY FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings Presentation This Declaration considers several questions that acquire come to this Dicastery in recent years. In preparing the document, the Dicastery, as is its practice, consulted experts, undertook a careful drafting process, and discussed the text in the Congresso of the Doctrinal Section of the Dicastery. During that time, the document was discussed with the Blessed Father. Finally, the text of the Declaration was submitted to the Spiritual Father for his review, and he approved it with his signature. While the subject matter of this document was being studied, the Holy Father’s response to the Dubia of some Cardinals was made famous. That response provided important clarifications for this reflection and represents a crucial element for the work of the Dicastery. Since “the Roman Curia is primarily an instrument at the service of the successor of Peter” (Ap. Const. Praedicate Evangelium, II, 1), our work must foster, along with an understanding of the Church’ Christians hold a variety of views about human relationships and sexuality. The Church of England is prevented by law from conducting weddings for people of the same sex. The Bishops have recently drafted prayers for two people who love each other and “who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God” Prayers of Love and Faith Members of our church are themselves in a variety of relationships, including faithful dedicated partnerships with people of the same sex. The Vicar of this church is happy to discuss with couples an appropriate way of marking their dedication to each other with prayers like these. Please contact Revd John Bennett directly. Prayers for a Identical Sex Commitment Loving and gracious God, who made us in your image and sent your son Jesus Christ to welcome us home; protect us in love and empower us for service. Through the power of the Spiritual Spirit may N and N become living signs of his love and may we uphold them in the promises that each will make this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus told us to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your m
Same Sex Couples