Near-Sighted Pilots

I want to begin this post by saying that I don’t want to write it. I have been working on other, more enjoyable writing projects. However, when the official publication of the Christian Reformed Church decides to publish an article like “Where Have They Gone?” (February 21,2014), a muddled push for rethinking the denomination’s response to homosexuality, I felt the need to offer a response.

I use the word ‘muddled’ in describing this article because it never identifies its real target with any sort of clarity. It speaks about the church’s position on homosexuality in paragraph four, but then in paragraph five the author takes aim at the response of pastors and the congregational response in paragraph eight. Which is it? Based on the concluding remarks about welcoming back same-sex couples I will assume that the denominational position is being challenged, and not just congregational responses.

Further, the author doesn’t provide any significant exegetical support for his conclusion (the treatment of John 10:10, regardless of the conclusion, is simply poor reasoning and dismal hermeneutics) and provides a smattering of underdeveloped arguments. Readers, regardless of the positions they take, should join together in hoping that The Banner elevates its publication standards.

In response to “Where Have They Gone”, I’d like to isolate the premises of one of its arguments: the argument based on feelings of exclusion. I’ll evaluate each premise and offer some concluding remarks.

Premise 1:  The church’s current position on homosexuality has resulted in many gay men and women leaving the church and rejecting God because they have felt excluded [from paragraph six].

I would not disagree over this paragraph. I’m sure anecdotal evidence could be gathered in support of it. Rather than disagree, I’d like to express grief that this is so. I think all Christians should be grieved anytime anyone—gay, straight, transgender, black, white, old and married, young and single—walks away from the church and from God. Sometimes, probably far too often, the conduct of the church towards those who experience same-sex attraction—beyond its doctrinal position—has exacerbated feelings of isolation and confusion. This too is to be grieved and repented of. A sincere apology, however, does not mean one has to concede their principled position.

Premise 2:  A position that causes anyone to feel excluded is wrong and should be changed [implied from paragraph eleven].

If I knew the author of the article, I’d want to clarify whether they thought this supplied premise was a fair one. I’ve supplied it based on paragraphs five, six, and eleven, where the author expresses his or her frustration specifically over the feelings of rejection that have been felt and concludes that it is time to “welcome back its gay sons and daughters, along with their spouses and children”. The article would have been stronger if the author had been clearer about what exactly is problematic about the church’s position on homosexuality—is it that it provokes feelings of rejection in those who experience same sex attraction? The article seems to suggest two reasons for the rethinking the denominational stance on homosexuality: emotional distress caused and cultural shifts.

If the argument is that the position should be changed because the church’s position causes emotional distress, then I think we can work from premise 2. Premise two has some obvious problems. No one can possibly hold to it consistently (premise 2 makes me feel excluded and therefore it is wrong and should be changed! It’s self-defeating). Nor should anyone want to hold it! Suppose an airline company has a policy that only people with 20/20 vision are able to pilot their planes; unfortunately, this makes a near-sighted, jittery applicant feel left out. Does that mean that the airline’s policy is wrong and should be changed? Of course not! And if it ever did mean the airline should change its policy let me know—I’ll return to Scotland by boat!

But, someone might object, applying to fly a plane is hardly the same as wanting to feel included in a voluntary association like a church. What if we narrow the premise?

Mod. premise 2:  Any association that holds a position that causes feelings of exclusion should change their position.

But again, there are problems with this premise. Suppose that John wants to join his local association of Democrats. Rather oddly though, John is for smaller government, less taxes, and fewer restrictions on firearms—positions that immediately clash with the values of the Democratic Party. John expresses his disagreement to the local leaders. Should they recognize they’ve upset someone and change their policies? Will they? No, because presumably they have good reasons for holding the positions that they do. They should explain their reasons to John, but they’re under no moral obligation to change their policies.

Premise 2 is untenable.

Conclusion: The church’s current position on homosexuality, as it makes some people feel excluded, is wrong and should be changed.

Premise 2 appears self-defeating, and would make the world an impossibly unpredictable place to live in (with policies shifting as moods swung… I can’t imagine what that would do to any number of hormonal high school student clubs!). Therefore, the conclusion is not obtained.

To be clear: the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) does not exclude men and women who experience same-sex attraction (at least they shouldn’t!). They and I are extended the same invitation to find grace in the cross of Christ, to participate in the life of the church, and share in ministries of the church in the world. The CRC does say, in keeping with Scripture, that homosexual practice is off-limits, just as it says women who are not my wife are off-limits to me. Gay and straight alike are called to forgo or deny certain desires when we are joined to Christ through faith. Difficult though it may be, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. It is exactly in this dying to our own desires and being raised to new life and obedience in Christ that we come to experience life and life abundant. 

For those who are looking for a helpful resource dealing with a Christian perspective on same-sex attraction, I’d recommend Sam Allberry’s little book, “Is God Anti-Gay?” Allberry is a pastor who experiences same-sex attraction. In his writing he is both compassionate and thoughtful. If you’d like to read a review or two first, you can do so here and here.