We Knew this Day was Coming. Now What?

We knew this day was coming, and I wasn't at all surprised when I heard of the court's decision to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. Let's not kid ourselves: it is a terribly sad thing to have witnessed the Roe v. Wade decision of our time. My family and I were on vacation when I saw the news all over Facebook, along with so many profile pictures updated to include the rainbow colors in support of the court's decision.

James White has warned for years that we will soon see the Tsunami of apostasy wash through the visible church. I knew he was right when I saw with my own eyes professing Christians use this as an opportunity to announce their sexuality all over social media. What made these situations even more heart-breaking was that other professing Christians "liked" these "coming out" posts on Facebook, and left supportive comments stating how "proud" they were for being true to themselves.




Chief Justice John Roberts is spot on when he said this in his dissenting opinion:

"The majority's decision is an act of will, not a legal judgment."

Yup. Contrast that with Justice Kennedy's majority opinion:

"The right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person, and under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment couples of the same-sex cannot be deprived of that right and that liberty."  

The problem with the majority's opinion is that marriage isn't discussed in the U.S. Constitution. The dissenting justices rightly say: "The right it announces has no basis in the Constitution or this Court's precedent."

One final quote from the dissenting opinion that is remarkably important:

"But this Court is not a legislature. Whether same-sex  marriage is a good idea should be of no concern to us. Under the Constitution, judges have power to say what the law is, not what it should be. The people who ratified the Constitution authorized courts to exercise “neither force nor will but merely judgment.”

The dissenting justices are absolutely correct. Later that Friday evening, to add insult to injury, the White House displayed rainbow colors across the property to show support for the LGBT movement. The Disneyworld Cinderella castle did the same, along with a dozen other government and popular locations. It's obvious that our government doesn't care one bit about offending those of us who believe in real marriage.

In the few days since the ruling, I've noticed a significant change in people's attitudes about the whole subject. It's as if people can't contain their newfound freedom to express all kinds of sexuality. People also seem shocked to discover there are those of us who still believe that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman. More people are now unwilling to engage Christians in conversation about this subject because it has been settled in their minds. It seems to me that our society thinks we have nothing worthy to say on the subject.

But you know what I think is really going on? All of the Facebook rainbow profile pictures, the declarations of how "proud" and "courageous" LGBT people are, pop culture making this whole thing cool and "normal," the marches and parades in support of their lifestyles, the decades that organizations persuaded the American public, liberal politicians, and judges who think they're legislators ... All of this is an attempt to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, just like God said in the Bible. Even with all of this time and money and energy spent to try to hold down the truth, they still know their actions are sinful in God's sight. That's why the world hates us: because they know that the wrath of God abides on them (just as it did us), and they don't want to face the reality that someday a final Day of Judgment is coming where everyone will have to answer for his/her actions.

So what now? What will you say to your co-workers who try to get a reaction out of you? How will you respond to your neighbors, your friends, and your family? Should you speak up to the LGBT friends in your life?

I believe that we should begin and end with a message of love, compassion, hope, and truth. In every gospel conversation with unbelievers I begin by letting them know my motivation is out of love for them and for God. And yes, level the playing field - what I mean by this is to explain that you are a sinner, just like they are a sinner. As we are all born into this world, we deserve death, judgment, and eternity in Hell. I believe that we need to discuss what sin is, otherwise, how will people know what to repent from?

As hard as it is, this means that some discussion may need to take place about how homosexuality, bi-sexuality, polygamy, trans-genderism, or other various forms of sexual expression, are sinful in God's sight. The Bible is very clear on this subject. On the flip side, there is a positive message that we have to proclaim: gender is a gift from God. Maleness and femaleness is a blessing that God alone gets to define. He has also given the gift of marriage: one man and one woman for life. The complementarity that a man and a woman experience together are obvious in nature: biologically, psychologically, and emotionally. I can testify how my life was radically changed when I married my beautiful wife. From singleness to marriage, a woman has a strong domesticating effect on a man. Likewise, the man offers a woman support and stability that she longs for. They also produce life by creating children together. I've found it very worthwhile to point out to people that only a man and a woman can create children ... something a man and a man, or a woman and a woman can never do. It's biologically impossible.

What about LGBT people that are sincerely attracted to members of the same gender? I recommend acknowledging it, because I believe in many cases they do have a predisposition to same-sex attraction. But, just because someone has same-sex attractions doesn't give them the right to act on these desires. We live in a fallen world, and as such, every one of us has predispositions for some sinful desires. Take Grumpy, for example ... one of the seven dwarfs. Let's say for the sake of argument that he believed his orientation was to be grumpy, and that everyone should just accept that that's who he is, period. Should we, and all of society, bow to this assertion? I would think not. Grumpy has no right to be grumpy because God requires that he give thanks to God for the many blessings given to him. In a similar way, LGBT are called by Christ to turn from their sinful desires and dreams, and turn to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Something I'm hearing more and more from professing Christians who consider themselves LGBT is this: "So you're saying that since I only have same-sex attractions, I am to remain celibate for the rest of my life? I'm to be alone and unhappy forever?"

I would respond with gentleness and care at this point. I might say something like this: "Jesus does require that you turn from your sins, which includes same-sex behaviors, yes. This may not be easy, and the Lord does say that you should consider the cost of abandoning your desires, and embracing the desires of Jesus. It is certainly possible that God removes same-sex attractions from you once you are saved. It is also possible that He gives you opposite-sex attractions. However, this isn't promised by the Lord in this life. What Jesus does promise is to provide grace that is sufficient for you, whichever path He has decided that you walk down. If you think this is impossible, and that your orientation is too strong, know this: God's grace is more than sufficient to help you overcome your desires. In fact, some Christians in the early church were once homosexuals and Scripture says this about their former homosexual lifestyle: "Such were some of you..." (1 Corinthians 6:11). He also promises never to forsake or leave His children. And most important of all, He promises to give you eternal life, where your sins are forgiven once for all. Then, you will have the hope of a future resurrection where your new body no longer has remaining sin and temptation. I say this to you: repent, for today is the day of salvation. Trust in Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and to deliver you from your sinful ways. Jesus is the only hope for sinners."

I would urge the reader: if you love your neighbors, speak the truth in love to them. Tell them the good news about what Jesus Christ has done on behalf of sinners. We, more than anyone, have reason to be joyful and thankful because we know the true and the living God. We have been redeemed from our sins, and we know the good life that Jesus promised. While the Lord has given us the freedom to do so, might we be faithful witnesses for His gospel. Look for opportunities to be salt and light in our society living in darkness.

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16, NASB).

“The scariest verse in all of scripture.”

 When God created Adam and Eve He gave them all the advantage for which they could hope. They were flawless. No physical, mental, genetic, circumstantial, or any other flaw one could bring to mind. So perfect, in fact, that they did not even know of error. It was in this condition that they failed. The best mankind has ever had to offer, and they made a mess of everything. God declared that not only actions condemn us, but our blood condemns us as well. Passed down from father to child, blood guiltiness would forever hang over the whole human race because of Adam. The price for sin and blood guiltiness is the spilling of blood and death. But we are not just flesh and blood we are also spirit, and sin was so abhorrent to God that He made a place where those souls tainted by sin (all of us included) would be forever purged by unquenchable flame and forgotten forever - a second death. 

God humbled Himself and took on human flesh. Jesus (God in human flesh) had to be born of a virgin to be spared the blood guilt from a human father. He, although tempted to the fullest degree, never sinned. Being without sin or guilt of any kind He paid the price of sin and guilt. In doing so He created an infinite payment. The price of sin is infinite, but Christ’s payment is also infinite. He offers access to His infinite account, and to receive is to be declared righteous as Jesus is righteous. To collect one must only believe that He was who He claimed to be (God), who He claimed we are (sinners), believe in His infinite payment for our sins (the cross), and believe in His power over death (the resurrection). To believe is to be forgiven of all sins, both blood guiltiness and sins we commit, and sealed for all eternity and to spend that eternity with God in perfect bliss. It is a free gift, no work required, because Jesus completed the work. He will resurrect us as He was resurrected and sustain us forever - a newness of perfect life.

That is Christianity in as few words as I can explain it. The perfect conclusion would be John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  We are far too prone to stop there. That is not where the gospel ends, at the promise of eternal life. In what John MacArthur calls, “The scariest verse in all of scripture” Jesus has this to say: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in haven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” Matthew 7:21 – 23 NASB

If these words from our Lord do not shake you to your core, you don’t get what He is saying here. This statement comes at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. It’s a long section of scripture and contains many famous verses. This sermon starts back in chapter 5 with what has become known as the “beatitudes.” The Jews of Jesus’ time believed that God gave earthly blessing to those who He loved, and to the strong. A “God helps those who help themselves” kind of idea. Jesus turns that idea on its head. He said the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are gentle, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted for standing up for the truth are the blessed ones.

He then tells believers they are to be the light of the earth, shining Gods truth in a dark and lie-filled world. We then are treated to a very long list of how to live like a Christian, where even our very thoughts are called into account. He teaches us to give to the poor, how to pray, not to lust for money, to do good deeds for the praise of God and not man, to trust God and not worry, and many other details. He ends this long list of “this is what the Christian life looks like” with the warning, “Do these things or I will turn you away at the end.”  

You might have noticed a seemingly very large contradiction. I said earlier that the gift of forgiveness was free, that Jesus Christ had accomplished all the work already. Now I am telling you to do good works or He will turn you away. Well there we go, the bible has a giant contradiction and we can stop believing, “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” Not so much…

What Jesus is saying, what the New Testament book of James says, what Paul and Peter wrote, is that this is what you will do if your faith is genuine. Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.” You see calling Jesus “Lord” is not enough “.. the demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19) Your faith must be genuine, and the test of genuine faith is perseverance through persecution (Romans 5:3-5 and 1 Peter 1:6-7), and obedience. These things don’t save you, Jesus saves. These things give you assurance that your faith is real. So be real and hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” do otherwise and you have no assurance, and you may hear the words, “I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”

While We Have Opportunity

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. -- The First Amendment to the Constitution

 

When I was a kid I remember thinking: so long as these words were contained in the US Constitution my religious liberties would be protected. Well, that was then and this is now.

An Oregon bakery, Washington florist, Indiana RFRA law, and the Supreme Court. These are some of the relevant instances that have spurred this blog post today.
 

Sweet Cakes by Melissa, an Oregon bakery owned by professing Christians refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding, and may owe a fine of $135,000. There was a GoFundMe fundraising website established, and raised $109,000 before GoFundMe took the site down.
 

Arlene’s Flowers, a Washington florist owned by a professing Christian refused to provide flowers to a gay wedding. There was also a GoFundMe funding website established for her florist shop, and GoFundMe just took the site down last week.
 

The state of Indiana had a state version of the federal RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act), which caved under pressure from the media and our culture, and have since changed the law.
 

And just last week, the Supreme Court heard the oral arguments for why same-sex couples should have the right to marry.
 

With each of these examples, I find myself a bit overwhelmed. It’s simply incredible to me that this is the subject matter of our conversation today. I never would have imagined that (1) gay people would want to be married, or (2) Christians living out their faith would face governmental persecution in the US. But these are the times in which we live, and well, Christians can’t ignore this issue any longer.
 

When I am given an opportunity to respond to this issue, I generally begin by leveling the playing field. I make it plain that I believe all people, including myself (especially myself), are sinners. We are all guilty of breaking God’s Law and are deserving of death and eternal punishment in Hell. I also take the time to say up-front that I don’t have any negative feelings towards LGBT people, and I would reiterate again that I am equal to them. We’re all created in God’s image, and therefore, they are deserving of equal treatment, respect and love as fellow human beings.

 

I believe that government’s laws and ordinances should take a back seat to the gospel when we discuss these issues with people. Not because we shouldn’t discuss them - we should - but because they are of lesser importance when compared with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why I strongly believe that we explain the reason for our beliefs first, then if appropriate, touch on the role of government.
 

You see, people are told what we believe through the media, social media, and by the culture at large. What they’re basically told is that we are a bunch of moronic bigots who hate gay people. I’m tired of hearing the accusation, “Stop trying to hide your bigotry behind the excuse of religion…” This kind of argument has a strong affect on people in our society today. Therefore, since the world is loudly announcing our bigotry and mean-spiritedness, why don’t we take the time to respond?
 

Peter said this in his letter: “15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15, NASB). I’ve started to recognize that the non-Christians in my life are always watching me. They wonder what I will say and do. They wonder what I think about things. Sometimes I hope to surprise them, while other times I hope to give them exactly what they expect. All the time I hope to present Biblical Christianity to them.
 

Were I to continue on with a discussion of LGBTism, having leveled the playing field, I then move straight onto God’s right to define how human beings are to live. This includes His right to define what sin is - which includes LGBTism, among many other sins. Having established a definition of sin, and many other topics about God and humanity, I then move into the good news of the gospel.
 

I point out that the gospel is good news, because God’s salvation not only justifies us in His sight, but he begins sanctifying us so that we forfeit our old sinful lifestyles. Paul listed a great many sins and then said of Christians: “Such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NASB). This means that God has the power to change our behavior and our desires so that we can live the way He wants us to live.
 

Taking this loving and patient approach, has allowed me many opportunities to have effective and clear conversations with people that I know - all by the grace of God. I think what it is, honestly, most people have never heard Christianity explained to them by Christians. It’s always told to them by liberal media, or social media … and we know what views they have of us. We should take the time and the opportunity to be bold witnesses for our Lord. I know this is what He wants from us.
 

Finally, I will conclude with a few additional thoughts. At this point in a conversation with someone, it is pretty clear on whether you would (or could) be involved in an LGBT ceremony. It is obvious that Christians can’t be. But now what is obvious to the one you’ve talked to, is that you don’t have any special animus towards them. In fact, it’s actually out of concern for God’s truth and because you cannot endorse sinful behavior.

 

Don't get me wrong here: I'm all about being involved in the legal process, and in caring about our current government. But our first priority must be the spread of the gospel and the strengthening of Christ's Church.

 

"9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:9-10, NASB).

Thinking God's Thoughts After Him

Poor poor logic. It's considered such a dreary and dull subject today, but I'm here to tell you: it's fun. Well, let's not kid ourselves: it may not be "fun" when compared with an evening of friends shooting each other in Halo 1 from our college days. But hey, it is at least enjoyable to the thinking among us, and has an ever-present impact on our thinking because no thought can happen apart from it.

I have a tendency to write about what I've been reading, and I have a tendency to read about what I'm passionate about at the time. Recently, I finished a book recommended to me last year by my Professor, the one and only Gobbler: Mike Porter. I put it on my birthday wish list, and my parents bought it for me. It had been sitting on my shelf until not too long ago. The book: Logic: A God-Centered Approach to the Foundation of Western Thought by Vern Sheridan Poythress.

Poythress' premise is simple:

"Human thinking about logic needs redeeming" (pg. 25) ... "There are two radically different ways of understanding logic, not just one. There is the Christian way, and there is the usual modern way, which has also been the dominant way within the history of Western philosophy. The Christian way is to listen submissively to the instruction of Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of the universe. The modern way is the way of autonomy, where we treat our own human powers as ultimate when we engage in the process of evaluation" (pg. 35).

Have you ever spoken with an unbeliever about your beliefs and the unchristian response goes something like this: "But I don't believe in the Bible, or in your God. Why should I believe what the Bible says? And why is the Bible more right than anyone else's opinion?" I've heard enough variations of this sentiment to now recognize that this is the basic non-Christian perspective. At the heart of non-Christian conviction is the desire to be autonomous; to be one's own god.

This was Satan's great mistake, and the sinful error that led to Adam and Eve's fall that condemned the human race. Today we are now born corrupted by sin, and it is not something easily overcome. People don't want to be subject to an all-powerful Creator God, because that means they will have to answer for their behavior. Instead, they would be much happier being their own little god, who does what is right in his or her own eyes. This seems to me to be the root of all evil: loving the self more than the love of God. We become our own little idols that we worship.

"The resistance to God's message is serious. It is not merely that people may defiantly stop their ears to argument (Acts 7:57). First Corinthians 1:18-31 indicates that the gospel seems "folly" to those who consider themselves wise. How can a criminal death on a cross, which looks like an ignominious defeat, really mean salvation? People also consider the Christian message foolish because it threatens their pride and position. They already have their own standards for evaluating claims; they have their own views of what is wrong with the world and what a reasonable remedy would be like. They have their autonomous standards for evaluating the Christian message" (pg. 43).

The funny thing about logic, and the overarching point of this book, is that logic is not something that is "just there" as if appearing by accident. Logic is not something human beings invented to better explain the world, or assist with our rationality. No, logic would exist if human beings never existed because it exists in the mind of God first. In fact, if one were to deny the existence of logic, one would have to use logic to try to refute its existence, which is self-defeating (a point Poythress makes in the book).

"We can transcend our immediate situation by reflecting on it. And we can transcend our reflections by reflecting on them. We can take a kind of God's-eye view, viewing ourselves from above, as another human being might see us or as God might see us. This transcendence is then one way in which we think God's thoughts after him. God is transcendent in an absolute sense. He is infinite. We are creatures. But we do have a kind of imitative, creaturely ability to transcend our immediate environment or our immediate thoughts or our immediate speeches. And we use this transcendence when we investigate logic. Every time we think, we imitate God's thinking. Every time we think about logic, we also imitate God's transcendence over the immediate" (pg. 78).

"Thinking God's thoughts after him" is a point that is made again and again and again in this book. I'll be completely honest that I never even thought about how our thinking is imitating God and his thoughts. He spends a good deal of time explaining that aspects of our humanity are analogies to God. For example: our thoughts are an analogy to God's thoughts. It would be unjust to say that God thinks like us completely because He is infinite, and His thoughts are not limited by our finite-ness. But in some way (or ways), our thoughts resemble God's thoughts. In another example, many human relationships are imitative of God's triune Being. The 3 divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, have eternally been in communion with one another. They have also had eternal relationships with one another, for example: the Father and the Son. In an analogous way, human beings have fathers and sons. All human beings are also very relational and we desire fellowship and companionship.

Genesis tells us that we are made in the image of God, in His likeness. I've previously believed that this primarily was limited to our ability to communicate, to be self-aware, and to think rational thoughts. The marvelous contribution that Poythress makes in this book is that being made in God's image also includes how we imitate God's attributes by our behavior and even our very thoughts. This includes our use of logic, whether it is recognized formally or not.

"The things God has made testify to the logical ordering of the world. And logic itself, as an aspect of the mind of God, is reflected in human minds. Our own minds and their reasoning reflect the logic of God, which is eternal and all-powerful. We cannot escape this testimony because it is there indelibly whenever we think or reason. Whenever we use language we exhibit logic in our speech. Here, as well as elsewhere, God's attributes "have been clearly perceived." As a result, "They [ultimately all human beings everywhere] are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). ... We are in rebellion against God, and we do not like to submit to him. We do not like the obligation of being thankful to him, because we have failed to be thankful. We are in flight from this God because it is too morally painful to contemplate our guilt and our failure. We make substituted gods in order to soothe our conscience. An impersonal something, or an impersonal logic, can safely be ignored, and lets us off the hook morally and religiously. We thereby fool ourselves" (pg. 81).

We cannot escape logic because everything that exists is a testimony to the logical order of the universe. Logic also makes sense to us because it is an aspect of the mind of God. This is why we have defined laws of logic, and recognize that improper human reasoning can lead to improper conclusions, which we call logical fallacies. We know, at the core of our being, that there is a proper way to think and to reason, and to do otherwise is improper. How do we know this? The temptation is to claim that what logic really is, is our autonomous ability to create the most useful way of organizing and fine-tuning our thoughts. The problem is that logic transcends you, me, and all of humanity. The whole of Creation proclaims a logical order to it, and there is no denying this. If the source of logic is not the mind of human beings, then what is it? For the Christian, we know it comes from God, who is the source of all things.

This is why when we speak with unbelievers about the truth, we aren't speaking to those who are ignorant of God's existence. The Scriptures tell us that all of us are made in God's image. This means we imitate Him in many ways - "We twist good purposes, and still reflect in our perversion the good purposes of God" (pg. 441). Therefore, it is helpful to remember that our friends, co-workers, or whoever else, are just like you and me. They were created in the image of God and reflect him in many ways. They have the Lord's moral requirements written on their hearts, and they know the truth you're telling them is true. They may deny it in many creative and fanciful ways. They may fall back on some religious system, or some formal scientific or philosophical system of thought (such as logic), in an attempt to continue in their rebellion against the Christian message. But one thing we know for certain: they know it be true.

"Sin cannot easily be uprooted. It takes the redemption of Christ, not autonomously motivated critical thinking" (pg. 187).

Just a few weeks ago I was speaking with a pair of very nice Jehovah's Witnesses who were making up contradictory answers as to why Hebrews 1:10-12 wasn't discussing Christ. They were literally coming up with any and every answer to avoid the clear teaching of Scripture. We have met for 3 weeks discussing this one passage, and though it is as clear as can be, Poythress is right: sin cannot easily be uprooted. Conversion to the truth requires more than the presentation of a logical argument. The Holy Spirit of God must regenerate the dead sinner, causing him to be born again. Only then can he repent and believe in the true and the living God.

Poythress' work has a few challenging sections to work through, but his point is this: logic is a beautiful reflection of the mind of God, and it is inescapable that we utterly rely on him for our use of it. We see it at every turn, and we must use it with every thought. I will conclude with the appropriate Scripture cited at the end of his book:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36, NASB).

A Chapter Concluded ... For Now

The train has come into the station, the curtains have closed, we've reached the end of the road at the end of the line, and the final finale is upon us in the culmination of a last and closing conclusion of accomplishment. Well maybe. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

But I did finish a period of study that began last year of the LGBT movement and what a Christian response ought to be. Some years ago, I read through Michael Brown's A Queer Thing Happened to America: And what a long, strange trip it's been, which is a wonderful book explaining the history and impact of gay activism in American society.

Recently, I finished reading three additional books. First, I purposefully read James Brownson's Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships so that I could hear the arguments of the religious-liberal and political Left. I wanted to see their best arguments attempting to explain how one can be a true Christian and practice homosexuality. Brownson ultimately fails to prove his point from the Scriptures, but was oh-so-valuable to see his arguments firsthand, rather than just see liberals cited by conservative scholars. Read this book, but read with discernment.

Second, I read Robert Gagnon's The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics. I would simply say that if you want the end-all-be-all book regarding LGBT issues and a Biblical response to them, this is the book you will want to have on your shelf (or Android-based tablet). Gagnon does a masterful job discussing the history of homosexuality in the ancient world, and debunks the claim that the Biblical authors could not have been familiar with the concept we see today of monogamous, loving, committed same-sex relationships. History proves this revisionist claim to be utterly false. He also discusses every relevant Biblical text involving homosexuality, both in the Old and New Testaments. Most important is the time spent responding to liberal attempts to change the plain meaning of the Bible - in fact, he mentions Brownson on more than one occasion. Still, what stuck with me most of all was his interaction with and discussion of the Holiness Code found in Leviticus 18-20.

Third, Michael Brown's new book Can You be Gay and Christian? Responding with Love & Truth to Questions about Homosexuality. Michael Brown did it again, he really did. The overall impression I was left with at the end of this book is this: Christians need to lovingly and patiently explain what we believe about human sexuality, and offer the gospel of Jesus Christ to the LGBT. I was impressed with the passion and the heartfelt love that Brown has for this group of people. You can tell that he genuinely cares about them, and I am going to strive to have the same measure of love towards this segment of our society.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Brown's book:

Of course, Christians are quick to say to homosexual men and women, "We love you, but we hate your sin," to which they reply, "That means you hate me. This is not what I do. This is who I am." Well, I want to challenge that. You are more than your romantic attractions or sexual desires. You are more than someone attracted to the opposite sex or the same sex ... and it is Jesus who tells us that the first step we must take in following Him is not to affirm ourselves but rather to deny ourselves. (Brown, 23).

I wrote in the margins next to this quote: "Yes! Amen!" Our message to the LGBT community must be centered entirely on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must not succumb to the temptation that we are the sum of our genes, or that we are defined by our romantic attractions. Human Beings are so much more than the product of random chance having evolved from animals over hundreds of millions of years. We are created in the image of God Himself, and that carries along with it inherent value and purpose in how we are to live. People were made to worship and to serve God, and when we willingly rebel against His guardrails of the road to life - found in the Scriptures - we produce pain, difficulties, and death. The gospel of Christ requires that we turn away from sin, and from our own desires, and turn to Christ who can alone provide the way of salvation.

When we abandon our true purpose for living, the void that is left will be filled with something. Our culture has filled it with utter confusion. For example, Brown lists a few terms the LGBT community use to describe themselves:

Androgeny, Androgenous, Bigendered, Bi-Dyke, Boi, Boidyke, Bro-sis, Butch, ButchDyke, Camp, Cross Dresser, Cross-Living, Drag, Drag King, Drag Queen, Dyke, FTM (Female to Male), Femme, Femme Dyke, Female Bodied, Female Impersonator, Fetishistic, Transvestite, Gender Illusionist , Gender Neutral, Gender-Bender, Gender-Blender, Genderqueer, Genetic Boy, Genetic Male/Man, Genetic Female/Woman, Genetic Girl, Grrl, Half-dyke, Heteroflexible, Hir, Intersex, MTF (Male to Female), Male Impersonator, Metamorph, Monogendered, Multigendered, Neuter, No-gendered, Non-op, Omnisexual, Pansexual, Pre-operative Transexual, Polygendered, Post-operative Transsexual, Queer, Queerboi, Shape Shifter, Stem, Stud, Trannyboi, Trannydyke, Trannyfag, Transboi, Transgendered, Transgenderist, Transitioning, Transmale, Transexual, Transvestite, Transidentified, Trisexual, Two-Spirit, Ze. (Brown, 41).

If this isn't confusion I don't know what is. But again, our response to this needs to be that even gender is a gift from God! If you are created physically male, then you are a man, regardless of how you feel. And the appropriate sexual relationship for you is one woman within the covenant of marriage.

The beautiful thing about the truth of the gospel is that when you speak God's truth to other people, you are speaking to fellow image-bearers of God, and therefore the truth will resonate with them even if they don't acknowledge it as truth. Fallen mankind will go to great lengths to suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), but they already know of God's existence, attributes and moral requirements (Romans 1:18-21). It isn't our job to convince people of the truth, only that we try to with a faithful proclamation of the good news of Christ. We can plant and water the seeds of truth, but God causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3).