Emergent leader Tony Jones has a riddle for those who oppose homosexuality. He wants us to explain to him "WHY a gay or lesbian person who is in a long-term, monogamous relationship would not be able to wholeheartedly follow Christ?" The answer, on the surface, is simple: because it is contrary to the gospel as laid out in Scripture.But that is the trick. Jones has one stipulation:
You may not quote one of the six verses in scripture that mentions homosexuality. Instead, you must use theological and/or philosophical arguments to attempt to convince me that when you have genital contact with someone of your own gender, it somehow inhibits your relationship with Christ.
Thank you in advance for your civility in answering this question
How convenient. The primary source for Christians in voicing their opposition to homosexuality is not allowed. This is like asking a surgeon to perform a major surgery without referencing any medical sources or like asking a lawyer to defend you without using the law. What Jones asks goes beyond tying our hand behind our backs, he is asking us to abandon the essence of our faith. By giving up God's revelation and the gospel it reveals severely handicaps and paralyzes the Christian worldview.
Jones finds such an argument dumbfounding. Why would the Christian worldview be paralyzed if it is denied the words of Scripture? Because without the text of Scripture, there is no Christian worldview. To step over God's Word is not to embrace a Christian worldview, but a secular worldview. And it is that that Jones seems to want. He wants Christians to offer valid reasons to oppose homosexuality apart from Scripture. He wants a secular argument.
The stipulation to cast aside those six verses and yet at the same time give a theological and philosophical reason to oppose homosexuality is nonsense. It is difficult to give a theological critique without the words of the "Theos." There is no thorough critique of homosexuality apart from the words, and stipulations, laid down in the Word of God.
It is a sad day whenever Christians would rather hear secular arguments rather than biblical arguments for issues regarding sexuality and marriage. Is it too much to ask for a Christian to have their worldview shaped, not by the culture in which they find themselves, but in the authority they are called to submit too?
Herein lies the problem with Jones and other Emergents: by accommodating to the culture (though they may deny it) they are forced to compromise biblical truth. The culture doesn't want to hear biblical arguments, it wants to hear philosophical arguments. To give into to that stipulation is to compromise what it means to be a Christian.
No one should waste their time answer Jones' question with his given stipulation. To be a Christian is to submit to the authority of God as clearly laid out in His Word. We do not need secular arguments to be confident in the will of God. The real question is why is Jones so afraid of those six verses? If he is challenged by them, then maybe God is telling Him something. Jones, and others like him, should be more willing to submit to the will of God rather than the wind of culture.
The issue of homosexuality comes down to the gospel. To put a stipulation on the gospel is to spit on the cross of Christ.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. -1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Sorry to break the stipulation.
*Update: Jones has responded to some of his criticism regarding his post via youtube.
For More:
Tony Jones - An Honest Question about Gays in the Church
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