Faith Challenges: It Ain't All Comfort

I’m constantly running across people who run up against the interpretation they have been given of a few Bible verses that supposedly condemn homosexuality. The concern is that we would have to twist Scripture to interpret in any other way than this received condemnation. This is not the first time and the first issue that church and society struggled with changing a received traditional stance on one thing or another. We had virtually the same argument over slavery, over racism, over baptism, over which version of the Bible to use, over music styles and their place in worship, and appropriate dress for participation in church services. I would present the following questions for reflection for those having difficulty accepting that maybe traditional interpretations and attitudes about people in the LGBTQ+ community. I’d never expect that everyone agree with me on everything. If we can’t at least entertain questions, however, we would have to be very sure about our positions ...

John Wesley famously preached a sermon entitled, “The Almost Christian.” Kevin Watson summarized that sermon as follows: “While an almost Christian lives an outwardly Christian life in every way, an altogether Christian adds to this love for God and neighbor, and genuine faith (trust and confidence) in God’s love for them through the merits of Jesus Christ.” ( “John Wesley’s Sermon “The Almost Christian” A Brief Summary” ) It is that second point that jumps out at me as key to understanding the first of that sentence. To be a Christian requires we evidence love for God and for neighbor as our highest priority. Wesley was well familiar with people who went through the motions of expressing the Christian faith. He saw people going to church. He saw people preaching and listening to preaching. He saw and heard people praying and reading the Bible. He watched people participating in the sacraments of the church, in worship, and wearing the sign of the cross or other religious symbo...

We have historically looked at the cross as an essential symbol of Christianity. Early Christians like Paul spoke of the cross. They also used other things as symbols for Christianity, like the simple drawing of a fish, taking the spelling of fish in Greek as an anagram for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. We have used a crown of thorns at times and other images, as well. Mostly, however, we have found a way to distance those symbols from the reality of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and crucifixion. The cross on the altar table at the church I serve is a beautifully polished brass ornament. The cross I wear on the chain around my neck was lovingly fashioned of chain mail by my son. The cross on the wall above the altar is of polished wood. The cross on the grounds outside our sanctuary is in need of some repair, but it was also designed to project a peaceful image. None of those reflect the reality of death by crucifixion as a rude, crude, and vulgar means of torture. That ...