BBC News published a story on today about a “heckler” protesting the first openly gay Anglican bishop during his sermon. In the video (watch it here for better audio), the bishop is saying how it’s a shame that the church is being split because of…then the protestor jumps in, “because of heretics like you, sir!” It’s hard to hear everything he says, but you can very clearly hear him say, “Go back, repent, repent!” several times. While maybe it wasn’t the most loving way to do it, I don’t know if it was inappropriate. It’s not like this English motorcyclist was going to have a chance to meet one-on-one with the American bishop.
The church ends up drowning the man out with singing. The guy leaves, then the bishop continues his “sermon”. He asked the church to “pray for that man.” Then he goes on to say…
This discussion of homosexuality we are having in the Church is not so significant because of what it says about homosexuality, but of what it says about God. When someone stands up and says homosexuality is an abomination, does that make you want to get to know God? …You know, whatever you think makes you unworthy, I don’t think God wants to hear it any more.
These are troubling words for two main reasons:
1) Homosexuality is a sin (Lev 18:22, 20:13; Rom 1:26-27). The only way to get around that is to pick and choose what you want to believe out of the Bible. It’s not that a man has stood up and said homosexuality is an abomination, God’s Word says it explicitly. Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” Those are God’s words. Smarter people have written much more about this, so I’ll stop here.
2) He’s belittling sin and trying to turn God and the Church into people-pleasers. Let’s not mention homosexuality and the fact that it offends God because we may in turn offend men. Let’s not say, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom 3:23). Let’s not say, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell,” (Matt 5:29). People might be offended. And by the way, don’t bother confessing your sin and unworthiness to God. He’s tired of hearing about it.
Sin is serious. Hell is real. Judgment is coming. Christ will return, and God’s wrath will be poured out upon all unrighteousness.
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:56-57
Christ gave himself for our sins. He gave Himself for homosexuals and alcoholics and idolaters and materialists and Worldly Wisemen. He is at present sitting at the right hand of God interceding for the saints. He’ll never ever tire of hearing your confessions and seeing and aiding your repentance. May the Word shape our lives, despite what the world would think.
Pray for this bishop and the Anglican Church.
