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The following article was written over 10 years ago, but is as applicable today as it
was then.
In the Viewpoints section of the Dallas Morning News there was a pathetic article written by Candace Talmadge. The article identifies her as a "therapist and writer who lives in Lancaster." I have no knowledge personally pertaining to her skills (or lack thereof) as a therapist, but I can emphatically state that she has absolutely no business writing about spiritual matters! It is sad that we live in a society where many have a growing disdain for the Bible, God's authority, and the church of our Lord. Let me put things in perspective. The Turtle Creek Chorale and the Women's Chorus of Dallas were scheduled to perform at First Baptist Church of Dallas until the church found out that approximately 75 percent of both musical groups are homosexuals. The First Baptist Church announced that neither group would be allowed to perform as "they symbolize a lifestyle the church finds contrary to God's word." The First United Methodist Church graciously volunteered to host the two groups the Baptist church rejected. Even though both denominations are steeped in religious error, the Baptists were right in stating that homosexuality is contrary to the Word of God. It is amazing the depth to which the Methodist church has sunk over the years. John Wesley would no doubt be appalled at the so-called "tolerance" of the Methodist church today. But all is well because we have Candace Talmadge's viewpoint that the newspaper gladly printed. She said, speaking of the Baptist spokesman's remarks: "His remarks prompted me to wonder what Jesus might say about all of this. I turned to the Gospels, where his words have been recorded. Interestingly, I could find no mention anywhere by Jesus of homosexuality. The Gospels contain nary a word about whether he taught being gay is a sin. But I did find something fascinating about adultery in the book of John: A group of scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and show him a woman who they say was caught in the act of adultery. They try to bait him by asking if they should stone her to death, according to Mosaic law. But Jesus replies, 'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.' That comment caused the scribes and Pharisees to rethink their righteousness, and they depart, leaving Jesus alone with the woman. 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more,' he tells her. What Jesus was trying to tell the scribes, the Pharisees, his disciples and anyone else with ears to hear is that unconditional love supersedes Mosaic law, which of course condemns adultery, homosexual acts and other so-called evil deeds. Unconditional love means without any judgments, without any expectations, without any hooks and without any so-called family values... God loves us if we are straight or gay, white or black, rich or poor, believer or atheist (emph., MLW). First, the apostle Paul warns against handling the Word of God deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2). Am I to believe that homosexuality is now right because Christ Himself uttered no such warning? Is not "every scripture inspired of God" and "also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16)? Second, the Word of God always condemns homosexuality regardless of the covenant man is living under. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of this sin (Genesis 19:1-13). It was an abomination and forbidden by the Mosaic law (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13), and the New Testament declares it to be "contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:10). Speaking by inspiration the apostle Paul says, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due" (Romans 1:26-27). Verse 32 says those who practice and support such sins are worthy of death! Third, Jesus said, "go and sin no more" to the woman caught in the act of adultery. Such implies repentance (Luke 13:3), which involves a turning from sin. The love of God is not "unconditional" and does not negate His commands! Fourth, note how disbelievers in God's Word seek to confuse the facts. What does "black and white" or "rich and poor" have to do with "straight and gay" or "believer and atheist?" They have absolutely nothing in common. It is not a sin to be a particular color or to be rich or poor. It is a sin to practice any sin including the sin of homosexuality! Fifth, to have "no expectations, no hooks, and no family values," one must undermine, disrespect, handle deceitfully, and show utter disdain for the inspired Word of God. Beware of calling homosexuals righteous or skunks domesticated kittens — neither is true! |