This is one of many reasons we are trying to change the “Oscar culture” by producing and developing God honoring films and documentaries like This Life I Live.

We need to change the mind set of this culture as Jesus did in His time. To have people question, seek for truth and righteousness.

Jesus himself did speak about same-sex relationships. He says in Mark 10:6-8 – “…at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his WIFE…” and in both Matthew 6:31-32 and Mark 10:10-12 Jesus speaks of marriage and divorce being between a man and a woman, clearly using feminine and masculine terms. It is clear He never considers man with man or woman with woman.

Jesus was clear in his message, He spoke concerning a man and a woman not same sex marriages. This is a huge issue for many but very simple and clear from a christian perspective.

God Bless

You wrote, “And what our friends and neighbors need more than anything is for Christians to set forth a faithful counter-witness when it comes to marriage and sexuality. The messages coming from the “Oscar culture” are clear. The church’s should be even more so.”

I couldn’t disagree more ardently. I believe that ‘more than anything’ Christians need to be people who actually love people that they see as their enemies rather than launching counter rhetoric. I believe that Black was correct when he said, “No matter what anyone tells you, God does love you.” I wonder if you would disagree with that. If you do, then I would point you to Jesus and the God who sent him to die for people like Black, and you, and me. I believe that Christians too often busy themselves with attempts to be “right”, when the gospel would be better served if they would simply shut up, love their enemies, and “not judge lest [they] be judged” (cf. Luke 6.37).

It’s seems strange to me that, although there was rampant sexual immorality (including sexual immorality) in the first century CE, we don’t see any stands in the NT about ‘gay marriage’ or whatever. You’d think that if it was as important to Jesus as it is to his later followers that he would have addressed the issue more directly (his remarks on divorce and his citation of Gen 2 hardly count).

Philip Kledzik
“An Issue of the Heart”
authorphilipkledzik.books.officelive.com

I agree with you that it is sad that we have to remind our fellow proclaiming Christians what the Bible says on these topics, but we all need to be more literate in understanding the framework (e.g. postmodernism) from which these challenges are coming from and we need to be able to make arguments that are thoughtful, persuasive and centered on Scripture as well as wisdom (i.e. knowing when and where to fight your battles).

I also think we need to be aware of the serious consequences of abandoning our Biblical mandate to advocate and articulate our Christian perspective, worldview and value system in the public sphere. Many remain unpersuaded that this is a worthwhile endeavor.

Thanks, John, it was nice of you to shoot back the comment!

Marriage is always addressed within the Scripture as being between on man and one woman and it is ordained by God as is for the Church and as long as the Church stays within the Word of God this is a non-issue.

Finally, to both Darius and Brian, my previous comment should have said, “…those who are trying…” and not those of you. I am sorry for that…I’ve spent the day in bed with a bug that must have started last night!

And so when I interact with guys whose affections are toward other guys, I can get uncomfortable. What can I say? How can I even relate?
Well, you know what, I absolutely can relate. Though I’ve never had a homosexual thought in my life, like those who feel the draw of same-sex attraction (SSA), I have experienced my heart drawn toward things that Scripture says are unacceptable.

It’s an important point for me to remember. I may not relate in specific experience (with SSA), but I can certainly empathize (I struggle with sin as well, but, following the bible, I certainly don’t call dark light or evil good).

And I am curious, too, what is unbiblical about the comments here (assuming that as the reference in John’s remark in #20).

Thanks.