Divorce vs Homosexuality

I view both divorce and homos*xuality as satanic assaults upon the institution of marriage ordained by God in the Garden of Eden.

Whether this country continues its eithical slide into relative morality or not....will not change the fact that:

1. God hates divorce

2. homos*xuality is viewed by God as an unnatural abomination.

peace to youraying:

 

Baptists typically have a good hermeneutic vis-a-vis the opposite of heterosexuality. However, the modern Baptist hermeneutic re: divorce is terrible, unScriptural, and based solely on the itching ears of man, a desire to uphold a standard that is no standard at all. So no, I don't think in 50 years we'll have a different hermeneutic on the opposite of heterosexuality since we allegedly do on divorce. However, if our hermeneutic follows that which we employ regarding divorce, we're all in trouble as everything's up for grabs since we play so fast and loose with the Word of God. 5 minutes on Baptist Board shows you that.

 

Remember Mary and Joseph when he discovered Mary was with child? All Joseph had to do was declare his divorcement from Mary, or stone her.

Divorce was not always easy in modern society, but the commonality of splits made it a social demand and the laws cooperated.

Both evils have been in society from the beginning. Homosexual practices permeated the Greek society, even to this day men choose their "boys" and it has been accepted by wives.

I am not sure it is the homosexual act in and of itself as much as what it involves and what it generates. I have physical reasons why I oppose homosexuality, but can't discuss it on the BB.

Partly what we need is more premarital counselling and not the rush marriages we are experiencing. We need more sex counselling at the teen stage and not waiting for them to discover unwanted pregnancies and rushed marriages forced on them.

I think the scriptures are clear on both counts. We are ignoring the word, but what have the victims been taught? On one hand we are too hard and on the other hand we soft pedal them. Let's find a balance, even as we teach truthfully what the word actually says.

Cheers,

Jim

 

My experience with divorce has been to be rejected. The deacons in one church rejected me after I divorced my cheating wife. A second church rejected me after my second wife divorced me after realizing that I wasn't perfect like she was.

Christians seem to be able to forgive most anything except divorce.

 

Is divorce forgiveable? What about homosexuality?

 

A biblical case can be made for divorce in certain circumstances... whether people agree with the interpretation of those passages or not.. the passages are there. God still hates divorce, but does allow it in certain circumstances.

OTOH, there is no valid biblical case for the acceptance of homos*xuality. All attempts to make the bible endorse or validate such behavior involves creative interpretation and ignoring clear teaching.

Therefore, I don't see bible believing Christians accepting homos*xuality in the way they can accept divorce in some cases.

And yes, God can/does forgive anything... even divorce... even homos*xuality.

peace to youraying:

 

God can and will forgive ANYTHING and ANYONE, but ONLY if we call on Him in repentance and humbleness and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing. Unfortunately, too many people think they can hang onto their old life of sin, change nothing, and still call themselves a Christian.

God does NOT accept ANY sin, whether it be homosexuality, adultery, lying, or whatever. NO one can continue living a sinful life and be saved.

 

What do you mean by "rejected me"?

 

Shouldn't practicing homosexuals be treated like any other unrepentant sinner by the Church? Should we set aside homosexuality as more sinful than the cohabitating heterosexual couples who are otherwise faithful attendees (if not members) and are singing in the choir and teaching children's Sunday School classes? Or the thrice divorced brother of the Fundamental Baptist preacher who happens to sing and play the piano very well, and who is allowed to lead worship and sing specials, but can’t have the title “Worship Leader” because….well…he’s been divorced three times and living with a forth woman now.

These instances may or may not be fictional.

Unrepentant sinners should not be ordained by the Church, but they should be welcomed to respectfully attend services and be allowed to hear the preaching of the Gospel.

But what about Communion? The Baptist Churches I have attended have open Communion so all partake as they wish. I realize most of us Baptist only take Communion because we were told to, and we want to be obedient....not because we believe any grace is conveyed through it. Yet we should treat it as if it were the Body and Blood of Christ even if we do not hold to "real presence". How do we screen the unrepentant homosexuals and divorcees from that? Perhaps a questionnaire?

Ed B.... with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

 

yes!

There is no difference, however I hope we do not have openly sinful people teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir.

You are absolutely correct.

We can only explain what the scripture says about the matter and allow each to determine if they partake or not.

 

I think some vigilance should be undertaken by the elder(s) so as to not knowingly allow an unrepentant sinner to come to the table. The Bible speaks of the danger against the unrepentant partaking of the Supper.

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord.
28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.
30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.
31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged,
32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
1 Cor 11:27-32 (HCSB emphasis mine)

I know, I know...that's another discussion.

 

Very much like how we do it.

 

The churches in our area that I have been in a communion service with typically have a regular service then announce that we will be taking communion and foot washing for those who wish to partake. Those who do not are free to dismiss if they choose. Usally the Pastor will shake hands at the door with those leaving. After this we begin the communion service. Sometimes a few folks will stay and observe. Some will take part in communion, but pass on foot washing after the communion. No one passes judgement on those who partake in part or all of the service. Although attendance is usally down a bit because people do not wish to partake in the foot washing but are afraid to attend then leave. I don't understand why, but it happens. Some of our churches hold these services one a year, other twice, some quarterly, other monthly. I do know of any who do weekly. I have assisted many time, but will soon be leading a communion service now that I am a Pastor. Makes me a bit nervous because of the seriousness of the occasion.

I hope this is clear. If not ask and I will attempt to clarify.

 

How do others do it? This is the only way I have ever witnessed it.