{"id":12617,"date":"2017-03-23T23:32:42","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T06:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dminlgp.com\/?p=12617"},"modified":"2017-03-23T23:32:42","modified_gmt":"2017-03-24T06:32:42","slug":"12617-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/12617-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dminlgp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/What.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12620\" src=\"http:\/\/dminlgp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/What-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"473\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Life is filled with issues.\u00a0 What if?\u00a0 What if I am? What will people think about me?\u00a0 What will others say about me?\u00a0 What will I worry about the most?\u00a0 Whose opinions really matters?\u00a0 What is love?\u00a0 What is an orientation? \u00a0Who determines what is right or wrong?\u00a0 Is there such a thing as truth in a \u201cpost-truth\u201d world?\u00a0 Does the Bible answer any of these questions?\u00a0 Does interpretation of the Bible come down to your orientation?\u00a0 Can the Bible be interpreted however you want it to be interpreted?\u00a0 Does gender really matter?\u00a0\u00a0 Does checking a box make me something?\u00a0 Where are all the answers to these maddening questions?\u00a0 Are there answers to any of these questions?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Marin in his book, <em>Love is an Orientation, <\/em>attempts to raise questions and then pose answers to questions with an open-endedness that makes me think. \u00a0\u00a0He is attempting to \u201cbuild bridges between the Christian community and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a> \u00a0He does this from an insiders perspective because he has immersed himself into their culture.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>His personal journey began with him being a high school student athlete that used the slang term \u201cfag\u201d and \u201cthat\u2019s so gay\u201d in his normal everyday language.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t identify where this language or orientation came from but it was his normal language that defined his life as an athlete.\u00a0 After much thought, he places the blame for his behavior and language on the Christian culture: \u201cI started believing that general anti-gay thoughts are naturally passed along within the broader Christian culture without us ever really realizing it is happening.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn2\" name=\"_ftnref2\">[2]<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Later in his life, he was interrupted by three friends \u201ccoming out\u201d to him about their sexual orientation.\u00a0 \u00a0He declares himself to be \u201cstraight, white, conservative, Bible-believing, evangelical male.\u201d\u00a0 He was raised in a Christian home in a conservative Chicago suburb.\u00a0 He states this \u201cI don\u2019t remember hearing anything explicitly defaming the LGBT community from either my church or my parents.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn3\" name=\"_ftnref3\">[3]<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0The context of his book, however, is pointed toward Christians, the Church and Christian culture and their treatment or mistreatment of the GLBT community.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What must Christians do?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the book the author starts to challenge Christians to take actions and to make changes that are not common.\u00a0 Here is a quick but not simple list of actions that he felt should happen, to start to build a bridge:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Christians must be the first to humble themselves.<a href=\"#_ftn4\" name=\"_ftnref4\">[4]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Christians must be the first to apologize and admit that they have wronged people who are gay lesbian bisexual and transgender.<a href=\"#_ftn5\" name=\"_ftnref5\">[5]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Christians must know how their belief system can be perceived by others. Christian community has only ever known one way to handle same sex sexual behavior:\u00a0 take a stand and keep a distance.<a href=\"#_ftn6\" name=\"_ftnref6\">[6]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Christians must be aware of how they project themselves and their beliefs. Christians tend to perceive themselves as morally superior to GLBT people, based on belief that the Bible allows only three options for connecting faith and sexuality:\u00a0 Be hetrosexual, be celibate or live in sin.<a href=\"#_ftn7\" name=\"_ftnref7\">[7]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Christians have to get past their own major issues regarding the GLBT community.<a href=\"#_ftn8\" name=\"_ftnref8\">[8]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Christians have to prepare ourselves to not be contrary to our intent to learn and serve.<a href=\"#_ftn9\" name=\"_ftnref9\">[9]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Christians should seek out those who do not fit in.<a href=\"#_ftn10\" name=\"_ftnref10\">[10]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Building a bridge is not always easy and this is just a sampling of ideas for Christian to be able to start to have a relationship with another community.\u00a0\u00a0 Many stories and illustrations supported these points.\u00a0 Challenging the norm is not easy and I respect the author for embracing this issue.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Changing Language<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As we have read this year I continue to find within each book a section that addresses language and this book is no exception.\u00a0 The author wants to help the church and Christians with language that can be seen as a barrier and can be changed pretty simply.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One of the really offensive piece of language that the church or Christians use is the phrase \u201cLove the sinner, hate the sin.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn11\" name=\"_ftnref11\">[11]<\/a> This expression is not a Biblical phrase but it is used to justify actions by Christians toward others that they do not agree with.\u00a0\u00a0 For those who use this language, it was pointed out that it brings great separation instead of reconciliation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The second most offensive thing that the author points out is \u201cDon\u2019t use the word homosexuals.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn12\" name=\"_ftnref12\">[12]<\/a> He tells a story of a man who was apologized to by a believer for calling him this word.\u00a0 There was a very emotional response to this sensitivity.\u00a0 Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are much more preferred than this word for definition.\u00a0 Calling people what they call themselves is better.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One more point on language that I thought was really interesting was this quote from a pastor addressing his personal struggle for wholeness; <em>\u201cThe opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality it is wholeness.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0This was a very insightful thought and started to bring the conversation \u00a0of the book to a spiritual point.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Summary.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When Marin started to really bring the conversation to a clear spiritual conclusion he made a few points that I thought were clear, concise and comprehensive.\u00a0 These were very positive take-aways from his writing. First, \u201cGLBT people are nothing more than sheep looking for their shepherd.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn13\" name=\"_ftnref13\">[13]<\/a>It is very clear that everyone needs the shepherd.\u00a0 Second, \u201cThe way forward with the GLBT community is not a debate on the Bible\u2019s statements about same sex sexual behavior but a discussion of how to have an intimate, real, conversational relationship with the Father and Judge.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn14\" name=\"_ftnref14\">[14]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These two points resonated with me.\u00a0 Can I do these things easily?\u00a0 No, but I can attempt to be a Christian and to bring understanding instead of judgement to the conversation.<br \/>\nConclusion<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>First, I am convinced and have preached for years, it is my job to present the truth but I can\u2019t change anyone.\u00a0 I can\u2019t save anyone and I can\u2019t make seeds grow that I have planted.\u00a0 The Holy Spirit is the only one that can draw another person toward changing their life or lifestyle.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have the power to do that with my words. If I did, it could be viewed as manipulation. \u00a0I can speak the words of truth from the Bible and if I do it in love, then I have represented Christ the best way that I know.\u00a0 And second I can go on the journey with you.\u00a0 Relational discipleship is the only productive way to introduce someone to being a disciple of Christ. \u00a0\u00a0If I walk with you, out of where you have been and into a new place in Christ, then I have been on the journey with you.\u00a0 True relationship and friendship doesn\u2019t take off when it gets tough or difficult, instead it steps in. \u00a0Steps in to go with.<br \/>\nI spoke this Wednesday night on the topic of sex with my students.\u00a0 After the service one of my young men needed to talk.\u00a0 His struggle?\u00a0 You know what it was.\u00a0 It is not the first time, it will not be the last.\u00a0\u00a0 How I received him and his news was vital to his future.\u00a0 How I handle that information is crucial because it could crush or alienate him.\u00a0 So, when I read this quote from Billy Graham, it was a very confirming: \u00a0\u201cIt is the Holy Spirit\u2019s job to convict, God\u2019s job to judge and my job to love.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn15\" name=\"_ftnref15\">[15]<\/a> True Biblical love does not come naturally to our human nature.<a href=\"#_ftn16\" name=\"_ftnref16\">[16]<\/a> So, I must choose to love the person, that has a name and a story, no matter what the sin because that is my part as a Christian.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> Andrew Marin, Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community (Grand Rapids, MI: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 22.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref2\" name=\"_ftn2\">[2]<\/a> Ibid., 92.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref3\" name=\"_ftn3\">[3]<\/a> Ibid., 16.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref4\" name=\"_ftn4\">[4]<\/a> Ibid., 31.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref5\" name=\"_ftn5\">[5]<\/a> Ibid., 33.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref6\" name=\"_ftn6\">[6]<\/a> Ibid., 37.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref7\" name=\"_ftn7\">[7]<\/a> Ibid., 67.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref8\" name=\"_ftn8\">[8]<\/a> Ibid., 62.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref9\" name=\"_ftn9\">[9]<\/a> Ibid., 63.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref10\" name=\"_ftn10\">[10]<\/a> Ibid., 63.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref11\" name=\"_ftn11\">[11]<\/a> Ibid., 47.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref12\" name=\"_ftn12\">[12]<\/a> Ibid., 60.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref13\" name=\"_ftn13\">[13]<\/a> Ibid., 85.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref14\" name=\"_ftn14\">[14]<\/a> Ibid., 90.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref15\" name=\"_ftn15\">[15]<\/a> Ibid., 108.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref16\" name=\"_ftn16\">[16]<\/a> Ibid., 109.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Life is filled with issues.\u00a0 What if?\u00a0 What if I am? What will people think about me?\u00a0 What will others say about me?\u00a0 What will I worry about the most?\u00a0 Whose opinions really matters?\u00a0 What is love?\u00a0 What is an orientation? \u00a0Who determines what is right or wrong?\u00a0 Is there such a thing as truth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"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":[875,862,663],"class_list":["post-12617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-andrew-marin","tag-dmimlgp6","tag-lgp6","cohort-lgp6"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12617","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\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12617\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}