It saddens me. It’s clear that there’s a real need for a ministry that supports Christian parents and same sex attracted children helping them navigate through this. Though, I don’t understand how you can encourage people to read the gospels , particularly the “red letters” ( as referred to in the article) and tell families that to affirm or not affirm ultimately is a decision between you and Jesus. Jesus always brought love and compassion but never avoided the sin in a persons life. If we truly believed that God is the author of salvation and that He is the one who draws men to himself we wouldn’t be so afraid to bring truth in love. Ambiguity from our pulpits would end and we would be free truly love people and allow the Holy Spirit to work.
Thanks again Dominic. I’m looking forward to hearing more from both you and Jeff!
Trusted theologians are dropping like flies. To your point about Stanley’s comments over time, it made me think of when Ernest Hemingway was asked how he went bankrupt, he said “Gradually, then suddenly”. The same is true with Stanley and the many theologians folding to cultural pressure; even worse than financial, theirs is a moral and spiritual bankruptcy. Speaks to the critical importance of good, solid, clear biblical teaching in our local churches. As you pointed out, defining the terms here is crucial “What do you mean when you say biblical orthodoxy?” Or “What is extreme LGBTQ advocacy?”.
Couple other thoughts as I read: I get the sense that anytime words like “orthodoxy” or “reformed” come out, those who would adopt those labels are seen as prudish or snobby, irrelevant and behind the times. That can seem true at times (I’m saying that as someone who would warmly embrace those labels), but it is a mostly untrue and unfair characterization of reformed, orthodox people. The orthodox and reformed beliefs are there because we believe they’re the most loving, fulfilling, and lead to true human flourishing. It isn’t because the reformed crowd enjoys turning their noses up at others, it’s because they see the church at large shrugging its shoulders at core, essential Christian beliefs and how dangerous and harmful it can be, they see Christians adrift in a sea of nuance and arbitrariness, and also the meaninglessness and purposelessness it produces when the gospel is reduced to an anemic pursuit of one’s own happiness coated in Christian language.
Sadly, I believe the harshest language in scripture is reserved for Stanley and pastors like him; they perfectly embody what the Catholics would call the “sin of scandal” defined as “…when one directly induces another to do a thing which he cannot do without sin, either formal or material” (Catholic Encyclopedia). A Christian understanding of scandal comes from the passage where Christ says “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Here Christ doesn’t sound very kind or winsome). In the strongest way, and with the strongest language, we should rebuke and oppose pastoral leaders like Stanley, for the sake of both his soul and those he is leading astray. Always remembering that we do that so that these pastors and those following them may be redeemed and repent.
I appreciate your optimism about people receiving what they need at Stanley’s conference, but I think we both know deep down that’s probably not going to happen. The stage is set. I do however share your hope that Christ will continue to wake up His church up to the One True Gospel. That Jesus came and died for our sins, and we are not our own but belong to Him. Excellent post here, brother.
I read your article again this morning and also ending up reading about the McDonalds ministry
https://baptistnews.com/article/couple-helps-parents-of-lgbtq-kids-come-out-of-the-closet/
It saddens me. It’s clear that there’s a real need for a ministry that supports Christian parents and same sex attracted children helping them navigate through this. Though, I don’t understand how you can encourage people to read the gospels , particularly the “red letters” ( as referred to in the article) and tell families that to affirm or not affirm ultimately is a decision between you and Jesus. Jesus always brought love and compassion but never avoided the sin in a persons life. If we truly believed that God is the author of salvation and that He is the one who draws men to himself we wouldn’t be so afraid to bring truth in love. Ambiguity from our pulpits would end and we would be free truly love people and allow the Holy Spirit to work.
Thanks again Dominic. I’m looking forward to hearing more from both you and Jeff!
Trusted theologians are dropping like flies. To your point about Stanley’s comments over time, it made me think of when Ernest Hemingway was asked how he went bankrupt, he said “Gradually, then suddenly”. The same is true with Stanley and the many theologians folding to cultural pressure; even worse than financial, theirs is a moral and spiritual bankruptcy. Speaks to the critical importance of good, solid, clear biblical teaching in our local churches. As you pointed out, defining the terms here is crucial “What do you mean when you say biblical orthodoxy?” Or “What is extreme LGBTQ advocacy?”.
Couple other thoughts as I read: I get the sense that anytime words like “orthodoxy” or “reformed” come out, those who would adopt those labels are seen as prudish or snobby, irrelevant and behind the times. That can seem true at times (I’m saying that as someone who would warmly embrace those labels), but it is a mostly untrue and unfair characterization of reformed, orthodox people. The orthodox and reformed beliefs are there because we believe they’re the most loving, fulfilling, and lead to true human flourishing. It isn’t because the reformed crowd enjoys turning their noses up at others, it’s because they see the church at large shrugging its shoulders at core, essential Christian beliefs and how dangerous and harmful it can be, they see Christians adrift in a sea of nuance and arbitrariness, and also the meaninglessness and purposelessness it produces when the gospel is reduced to an anemic pursuit of one’s own happiness coated in Christian language.
Sadly, I believe the harshest language in scripture is reserved for Stanley and pastors like him; they perfectly embody what the Catholics would call the “sin of scandal” defined as “…when one directly induces another to do a thing which he cannot do without sin, either formal or material” (Catholic Encyclopedia). A Christian understanding of scandal comes from the passage where Christ says “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Here Christ doesn’t sound very kind or winsome). In the strongest way, and with the strongest language, we should rebuke and oppose pastoral leaders like Stanley, for the sake of both his soul and those he is leading astray. Always remembering that we do that so that these pastors and those following them may be redeemed and repent.
I appreciate your optimism about people receiving what they need at Stanley’s conference, but I think we both know deep down that’s probably not going to happen. The stage is set. I do however share your hope that Christ will continue to wake up His church up to the One True Gospel. That Jesus came and died for our sins, and we are not our own but belong to Him. Excellent post here, brother.