{"id":12574,"date":"2017-03-23T12:39:29","date_gmt":"2017-03-23T19:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dminlgp.com\/?p=12574"},"modified":"2017-03-23T12:39:29","modified_gmt":"2017-03-23T19:39:29","slug":"there-is-now-no-condemnation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/there-is-now-no-condemnation\/","title":{"rendered":"There Is Now No Condemnation . . ."},"content":{"rendered":"

Andrew Marin—Love Is An Orientation:<\/em> Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community<\/em><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew Marin founded the Marin Foundation for the purpose of systematically building a bridge between the broader gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and conservative Christian communities through scientific research and biblical and social education.\u201d [1] The net\u00a0result being peaceful, productive, and sustainable bridge building between these two disparate communities, by incorporating God\u2019s eternal principles.\u00a0 For Marin, the way forward with the GLBT community is through discourses on intimacy with God, not debating the meaning of biblical passages.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Marin declares that the chief arguments of same-sex sexual behavior between the GLBT and the Christian communities stem from interpretations of the five biblical texts below:<\/p>\n

\u201cGenesis 19\u2014The Sodom and Gomorrah story<\/p>\n

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13\u2014sections of the Holiness Code that prohibit same-sex behavior and list the punishment for those behaviors<\/p>\n

Romans 1:26-27\u2014determining what is sexually natural and unnatural<\/p>\n

I Corinthians 6:9-11\u2014same-sex sexual behavior\u2019s non-inclusion to the Kingdom of God<\/p>\n

I Timothy 1:9-11\u2014the need for sound doctrine in opposition to false teachers of the law; condemning same-sex sexual behavior as part of a larger group\u201d [2]<\/p>\n

He felt compelled to study these passages in depth with a focus on what is being conveyed about God and His will for our lives.\u00a0 A set of eternal principles emerged on how to draw near to God and have a more intimate relationship with Him, which are applicable in building bridges with GLBT people and to the five biblical texts listed above.<\/p>\n

MIND-FRAME-SHIFT PRINCIPLE (Genesis 19)<\/p>\n

Marin considers this as the first eternal principle of bridge building with gays and lesbians. It is understood that the Kingdom of God comprises those who have shifted their mind frame away from earthly things and onto what is of eternal significance. That is, seeking God over and above everything else.<\/p>\n

CROSSROADS PRINCIPLE: THE HOLINESS CODE (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)<\/p>\n

Everyone comes to a crossroads of belief when they make a choice to live exclusively for God or not. \u00a0\u201cGod is calling the GLBT community to make a willful, knowledgeable, and cognizant decision to live distinctly for Him in all facets of life.\u201d [3] Marin feels the body of Christ can be instrumental in assisting the GLBT community in realizing the importance of the Crossroads eternal principle by highlighting that their identity is rooted in Christ first. \u201cThey are able to live\u00a0counterculturally as a distinct believer who doesn\u2019t have to conform to the accepted means of mainstream culture.\u201d [4]<\/p>\n

THE ONENESS PRINCIPLE (Romans 1:26-27)<\/p>\n

For gays and lesbians who make a choice for God, the Christian community is obligated to expand their knowledge of God, enabling them to enter into an intimate, one-on-one relationship with Him. They \u201cbegin the process of integrating their faith with a daily life that is permeated by God, who meets them, speaks to them, and hears them, personally and individually telling each of His beloved children what He feels is best for their life.\u201d [5]<\/p>\n

THE GREAT CHRISTIAN DEBATE (I Corinthians 6:9-11)<\/p>\n

What determines when to relinquish responsibility for someone else\u2019s life? \u00a0Marin concludes that once there is belief with GLBT persons and the Holy Spirit calls them to a Christian witness in their daily lives, they have been \u201cwashed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.\u201d [6] For Marin, that is when responsibility for another\u2019s eternal life ends. But, love and grace abound while trusting God to orchestrate their faith journey.<\/p>\n

THINK-BIG-PICTURE PRINCIPLE (I Timothy 1:9-11)<\/p>\n

This principle encourages Christians to persevere in our calling and stand steadfast in the faith, trusting God\u2019s eternal purposes. A person has until their very last breath for God to accomplish His will in their life.<\/p>\n

Marin answers five recurring questions that arise in GLBT and Christian discussions.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Do you think that gays and lesbians are born that way? <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Marin\u2019s response is that they are created to be a child of God whether they were born gay or straight.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Do you think homosexuality is a sin? <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Marin takes a circuitous approach to answering this question, but nevertheless answers it appropriately.\u00a0 He points to Romans 3:23 that \u201call have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.\u201d [7] No human being has been able to meet God\u2019s standard.\u00a0 James 2:10 indicates, \u201cWhosoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.\u201d Mathew 7:1-2 declares, \u201cDo not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.\u201d [8] He adds that the good news is that a person\u2019s eternal security is established by a one-on-one relationship with God, not sinlessness.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Can a GLBT person change their sexual orientation<\/em>?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Marin responds that change typically occurs when Jesus is involved. Sometimes there is a continuum of change from \u201csecular to spiritual, non-Christian to Christian, sexually active to celibate, or gay to straight.\u201d [9] Religious identity and sexual identity can be reflected on a continuum of change relative to a person\u2019s relationship with God.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Do you think someone can be gay and Christian?<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Marin states, \u201cUltimately, anyone involved in the Christian community \u2013gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian\u2014should be taken at their word about where they spiritually find themselves because only God really knows someone\u2019s faith and the intent behind all their actions.\u201d [10] Our job is not to convict or judge, but to love.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Are GLBT people going to hell? <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Marin references Matthew 7:21-23 to emphasize that only God determines who goes to heaven and who goes to hell; God is the ultimate Judge. Entering God\u2019s kingdom only comes through authentic relationships with Him that He acknowledges.<\/p>\n

            Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

            I view this book as being spiritually enlightening and scripturally sound. Its practical application has the potential of being a powerful catalyst in initiating and sustaining the conversation between the GLBT and Christian communities. With the openness, love, and authenticity the Marin approach espouses it appears to be a win-win outcome for many engaging in the conversation. The wisdom I take away from this book is that Christians are called to love the GLBT community \u201cunconditionally, tangibly, and measurably.\u201d [11] Our mission does not require us to be the solution to a person\u2019s salvation. As Billy Graham commented, \u201cIt is the Holy Spirit\u2019s job to convict, God\u2019s job to judge, and my job to love.\u201d [12]<\/p>\n

            Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

            [1] \u00a0Andrew Marin, Love Is An Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community <\/em>(Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009) Back Cover.<\/p>\n

            [2]\u00a0 Ibid., 114.<\/p>\n

            [3]\u00a0 Ibid., 126.<\/p>\n

            [4]\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n

            [5]\u00a0 Ibid., 129.<\/p>\n

            [6]\u00a0 Ibid., 130.<\/p>\n

            [7]\u00a0 Ibid., 182.<\/p>\n

            [8]\u00a0 Ibid., 183.<\/p>\n

            [9]\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n

            [10] Ibid., 185.<\/p>\n

            [11] Ibid., 187.<\/p>\n

            [12] Ibid., 108.<\/p>\n

            \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Andrew Marin—Love Is An Orientation: Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community Introduction \u201cAndrew Marin founded the Marin Foundation for the purpose of systematically building a bridge between the broader gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and conservative Christian communities through scientific research and biblical and social education.\u201d [1] The net\u00a0result being peaceful, productive, and sustainable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[875,676],"class_list":["post-12574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-andrew-marin","tag-dminlgp6","cohort-lgp6"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12574"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12574\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}