Homosexuality (Part 3) – Acceptance by Churches

The American branch of WORLD VISION, one of the world’s largest Christian charities, recently announced they will no longer require its employees to restrict their sexual activity to marriage between one man and one woman.  Abstinence outside of marriage will continue to be required, but a policy change announced this week will now permit gay “Christians” in legal same-sex marriages to be employed.

Running this logic to its inth degree:  They are saying no to adultery, but yes to homosexual practice.

World Vision president Richard Stearns explained the decision is not an act of compromise, but an act of unity.  Citing gay marriage as a divisive theological issue, World Vision will position itself with uniting Christians and serving the poor.

Wait, it gets worse.

Given the fact that 17 states now permit same-sex marriage, Stearns feels the issue should join other theological discussions such as differing modes of baptism.

“Changing the employee conduct policy to allow someone in a same-sex marriage who is a professed believer in Jesus Christ to work for us,” said Stearns, “makes our policy more consistent with our practice on other divisive issue.”

Huh?

Wait, it gets even worse.

“It allows us to treat all our employees the same way: abstinence outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage.”  Stearns then added, “We’re not on some slippery slope.

Forgive me while I choke on those last words.

Where to begin?

First, it is a total disregard to the authority of the Bible for a any believer to say that gay marriage is merely a theological debate among Christians, along the lines of Presbyterians sprinkling and Baptists using the method of immersion.

The issue of homosexuality, including gay marriage, is antithetical to the very order of creation, family, and sexual morality.

Let’s be clear:  If you wish to make this a mere theological debate, then it’s between those who believe the authority of the Bible and those who don’t.  One view stands on historic orthodox Christianity, and one does not.

Second, for Stearns (or any Christian) to suggest that the legalization of gay marriage is reason enough to accept it, is to consider our culture as the “voice of authority” instead of God as the Authority.  Therefore, the Bible has no more hold on me than, say, the legalization of prostitution.  Legal or not, no woman should prostitute her body, and no man should avail himself to one who does.

To be clear, World Vision has done a lot of good in the earth, relieving human suffering, and I’m certain will continue to do so.  I have a book in my library authored by Richard Stearns – The Hole in Our Gospel – and it is one of the best books I’ve ever read. 

My concern, however, is that the leaders of Word Vision became misguided by public pressure and cultural trends.  This seems to be a growing trend among other Christians and churches.

All of us need a worldview that is not shaped by the world.

BREAKING:  Due to public pressure from Christian people, World Vision has reversed its decision (yesterday) to hire couples in same-sex marriages.  You can read the full text of their announcement (click here).