There's this catchy new song on the radio. I'm not gonna lie; I kind of like the rhythm, the flow, and the melody. I really respect that Macklemore and Lambert stand up for what they believe. The message throughout "Same Love" is that those of homosexual orientation were born that way, cannot change, and should therefore be granted the same marital rights as those of heterosexual orientation.
I must sympathize with homosexuals who, as is pointed out in the song, have felt discriminated against or judged, especially by the church. If I was a homosexual today, I am sure the church is not the place I would be looking for love or acceptance. But this is not the purpose of the church.
The church was created for God's glory, as a fellowship of believers who are united by their faith in Christ. It is the hands and feet of Christ...so yes it needs to be seeking to care for those society rejects.
Oh, but...yes, there is always a but. But...I cannot fully agree with them. The artists build their case on a few foundational points that are questionable. The first is in the refrain, "I can't change/ even if I tried/ even if I wanted to." Aside from the fact that this seems contradictory, as if someone admits they have not tried something because they haven't wanted to, then they don't actually know if it will work or not, this also has not been scientifically proven.
The question has often been raised: is homosexuality hereditary? If one is talking strictly about genetic predisposition or a "gay-gene," the answer is no. However, in the nature-nurture arguments, a person is not determined merely by one's genetic make-up. Rather, there are limitless possible stimuli in a person's environment that can have an impact on who someone becomes. An interesting assessment of some inconclusive genetic studies can be found here.
In John White's Eros Defiled: the Christian and Sexual Sin, he notes a few patterns among those who have chosen a homosexual lifestyle. All those he counseled either had absent father-figures or some sort of inappropriate sexual encounter at a young age. This is not a scientific study, but the above mentioned are psychological stimuli that could make one more inclined to have sexual identity confusion.
All this being said, I firmly believe we always have a choice, and are not merely defined by our genetic make-up and environment. The nature-nurture argument does not take into account the fullness of the human consciousness, which God created distinct above all other living things. I cannot agree that a person cannot change their choices.
I, of course, like every other human being, am guilty of judging others based on the choices they make. As a Christian I am called to love, not to judge. That's God's job. So I ask Him for forgiveness, and do the best I can to love instead.
But loving does not mean I have to agree with and fight for the things that someone else stands for. As homosexuality is a choice, I must admit it is one I do not agree with as a Christian. Please believe I have wrestled with Biblical passages on this and I have not simply accepted second-hand dogma. Furthermore, our identities are far more complex than simply a matter of sexual orientation. The biggest part of our identity should come from being human: made in the image of God. That gives us value that no one can touch.When I say I cannot agree with a person's lifestyle choice, I am not rejecting the whole person. Parents constantly have this complexity in relating to teens: I love you, but I don't have to like all the things you do.
God did create and loves persons of homosexual orientation. I do not believe He created them to be homosexuals- rather, He created them to be in a loving relationship with Himself first, and in human relationships He has purposed and blessed. We live in an imperfect world, so both these relationships are tainted. Still, God is at work making bad things good and ugly things into things of beauty. That includes relationships. I want to offer to anyone of homosexual orientation these words: God loves you. I want to love you. I am sorry for how society and the church has often treated you. I sincerely hope if you are seeking after God that you will not be deterred by those who, unfortunately, will judge you.
No comments:
Post a Comment