"For the Bride–Reprise: New Posts" by J. Steven Harper for Tuesday, 19 September 2017David Gushee recently revised his book, 'Changing Our Mind,' making editorial changes and adding new material that reflect his subsequent thoughts on sexuality since he first published it in 2014. I have been asked about my subsequent thoughts regarding my book, 'For the Sake of the Bride.'
I have no plans to revise the book, but like David, I have not stopped thinking about what I wrote in 2014. Quite the contrary. I have now read more than 5000 pages of books and articles related to topics in the book--particularly material from theology and the behavioral sciences. The reading spans the conservative/progressive spectrum, because I want my subsequent thoughts to arise from a consideration of multiple perspectives.
If you followed Oboedire back in 2014, you know that from September 2014 through July 2015, I wrote a series entitled "For the Bride" to begin an immediate and sustained expansion of ideas in the book. This series is archived on the sidebar of the Oboedire home page. Those posts were my first recording of subsequent thoughts in the year following the publication of the book.
But now, more than three years after writing 'For the Sake of the Bride,' I am going back through the book to see where I am in relation to it. Books are living things, even though a printed text "freezes" ideas on the page. Every author has ongoing thoughts about a book, and now seems like a good time to ponder mine. Several factors have prompted me to do this.
Sadly, the divide between Christians regarding sexuality has persisted since I wrote the book, and it has widened, as illustrated a few weeks ago when a group of fundamentalists issued The Nashville Statement, which (in addition to its repetition of anti-LGBTQ+ theology) now declares those who hold different views and are allies for LGBTQ+ people to be 'sinful' and 'departed' from the faith (Article 10). I have been described in both these ways (and others) the past several years, but The Nashville Statement "makes it official" in a more-universal way not previously seen.
Most recently, Father James Martin has been vilified by fellow Roman Catholics (and others) for his book, 'Building A Bridge,'--a book which is constructed using the instructions in the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' to relate to homosexual persons with respect, compassion, and sensitivity (para 2358). It is a serious matter when a priest is condemned for advocating the application of the Church's catechism! It is a fresh sign as to how swiftly and severely someone held in high esteem can fall out of favor--something I too experienced within a week after writing, 'For the Sake of the Bride,' with a widening of my persona non grata status since then.
And finally, in my own Wesleyan tradition, the disagreement about sexuality is heating up as The Way Forward Commission labors to present a report at a called session of the General Conference in 2019--a report aimed at unity in The United Methodist Church by eliminating (somehow) the "double-speak" in the Book of Discipline which refers to homosexuals as persons of "sacred worth" but living lives "incompatible with the Christian faith."
Taken together, these post-2014 realities lead me to a fresh look at my book, not simply to revisit it, but also to provide a fresh expression of thought for any and all who are open to considering sexuality from something other than the fundamentalist position. Since 2014, I have met Christians who have told me they want and need more than a one-size-fits-all perspective--that they have no interest in identifying with any "our way or the highway" group over a matter that is so obviously complex--and that they are upset that any view of sexuality can be advocated that does harm to LGBTQ+ people and allies through demeaning and damaging attitudes and actions..
So, this is the introductory post to a new series I am calling, "For the Bride--Reprise." It will be a chapter-by-chapter walk through of the original book re-enforcing some things and adding other things to the original book. This may prove to be enough to provide the updating of my thinking. If not, I may decide to write additional posts. We'll see. I plan to offer a new post once a week. I do not want this updating to consume my time and energy, or yours.
If you have a copy of 'For the Sake of the Bride,' keep it at hand as you read this new series. If you have not read the book, you will benefit the most from these updates by doing so. It is available as either a paperback or ebook at http://www.amazon.com. Then read the "For the Bride" series that I mentioned above.
I pray this new series will be as instructive and formative as what I originally wrote--for the sake of the Bride.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Categories: For the Bride--Reprise
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N NASHVILLE STATEMENT: A COALITION FOR BIBLICAL SEXUALITY
“Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…” (Psalm 100:3)
Preamble
Evangelical Christians at the dawn of the twenty-first century find themselves living in a period of historic transition. As Western culture has become increasingly post-Christian, it has embarked upon a massive revision of what it means to be a human being. By and large the spirit of our age no longer discerns or delights in the beauty of God’s design for human life. Many deny that God created human beings for his glory, and that his good purposes for us include our personal and physical design as male and female. It is common to think that human identity as male and female is not part of God’s beautiful plan, but is, rather, an expression of an individual’s autonomous preferences. The pathway to full and lasting joy through God’s good design for his creatures is thus replaced by the path of shortsighted alternatives that, sooner or later, ruin human life and dishonor God. This secular spirit of our age presents a great challenge to the Christian church. Will the church of the Lord Jesus Christ lose her biblical conviction, clarity, and courage, and blend into the spirit of the age? Or will she hold fast to the word of life, draw courage from Jesus, and unashamedly proclaim his way as the way of life? Will she maintain her clear, counter-cultural witness to a world that seems bent on ruin? We are persuaded that faithfulness in our generation means declaring once again the true story of the world and of our place in it—particularly as male and female. Christian Scripture teaches that there is but one God who alone is Creator and Lord of all. To him alone, every person owes glad-hearted thanksgiving, heart-felt praise, and total allegiance. This is the path not only of glorifying God, but of knowing ourselves. To forget our Creator is to forget who we are, for he made us for himself. And we cannot know ourselves truly without truly knowing him who made us. We did not make ourselves. We are not our own. Our true identity, as male and female persons, is given by God. It is not only foolish, but hopeless, to try to make ourselves what God did not create us to be. We believe that God’s design for his creation and his way of salvation serve to bring him the greatest glory and bring us the greatest good. God’s good plan provides us with the greatest freedom. Jesus said he came that we might have life and have it in overflowing measure. He is for us and not against us. Therefore, in the hope of serving Christ’s church and witnessing publicly to the good purposes of God for human sexuality revealed in Christian Scripture, we offer the following affirmations and denials.
Article 1
WE AFFIRM that God has designed marriage to be a covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife, and is meant to signify the covenant love between Christ and his bride the church. WE DENY that God has designed marriage to be a homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous relationship. We also deny that marriage is a mere human contract rather than a covenant made before God.
Article 2
WE AFFIRM that God’s revealed will for all people is chastity outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage. WE DENY that any affections, desires, or commitments ever justify sexual intercourse before or outside marriage; nor do they justify any form of sexual immorality.
Article 3
WE AFFIRM that God created Adam and Eve, the first human beings, in his own image, equal before God as persons, and distinct as male and female. WE DENY that the divinely ordained differences between male and female render them unequal in dignity or worth.
Article 4
WE AFFIRM that divinely ordained differences between male and female reflect God’s original creation design and are meant for human good and human flourishing. WE DENY that such differences are a result of the Fall or are a tragedy to be overcome.
Article 5
WE AFFIRM that the differences between male and female reproductive structures are integral to God’s design for self-conception as male or female. WE DENY that physical anomalies or psychological conditions nullify the God-appointed link between biological sex and self-conception as male or female.
Article 6
WE AFFIRM that those born with a physical disorder of sex development are created in the image of God and have dignity and worth equal to all other image-bearers. They are acknowledged by our Lord Jesus in his words about “eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb.” With all others they are welcome as faithful followers of Jesus Christ and should embrace their biological sex insofar as it may be known. WE DENY that ambiguities related to a person’s biological sex render one incapable of living a fruitful life in joyful obedience to Christ.
Article 7
WE AFFIRM that self-conception as male or female should be defined by God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption as revealed in Scripture. WE DENY that adopting a homosexual or transgender self-conception is consistent with God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption.
Article 8
WE AFFIRM that people who experience sexual attraction for the same sex may live a rich and fruitful life pleasing to God through faith in Jesus Christ, as they, like all Christians, walk in purity of life. WE DENY that sexual attraction for the same sex is part of the natural goodness of God’s original creation, or that it puts a person outside the hope of the gospel.
Article 9
WE AFFIRM that sin distorts sexual desires by directing them away from the marriage covenant and toward sexual immorality— a distortion that includes both heterosexual and homosexual immorality. WE DENY that an enduring pattern of desire for sexual immorality justifies sexually immoral behavior.
Article 10
WE AFFIRM that it is sinful to approve of homosexual immorality or transgenderism and that such approval constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness. WE DENY that the approval of homosexual immorality or transgenderism is a matter of moral indifference about which otherwise faithful Christians should agree to disagree.
Article 11
WE AFFIRM our duty to speak the truth in love at all times, including when we speak to or about one another as male or female. WE DENY any obligation to speak in such ways that dishonor God’s design of his image-bearers as male and female.
Article 12
WE AFFIRM that the grace of God in Christ gives both merciful pardon and transforming power, and that this pardon and power enable a follower of Jesus to put to death sinful desires and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. WE DENY that the grace of God in Christ is insufficient to forgive all sexual sins and to give power for holiness to every believer who feels drawn into sexual sin.
Article 13
WE AFFIRM that the grace of God in Christ enables sinners to forsake transgender self-conceptions and by divine forbearance to accept the God-ordained link between one’s biological sex and one’s self-conception as male or female. WE DENY that the grace of God in Christ sanctions self-conceptions that are at odds with God’s revealed will.
Article 14
WE AFFIRM that Christ Jesus has come into the world to save sinners and that through Christ’s death and resurrection forgiveness of sins and eternal life are available to every person who repents of sin and trusts in Christ alone as Savior, Lord, and supreme treasure. WE DENY that the Lord’s arm is too short to save or that any sinner is beyond his reach.
Initial Signatories Institutional affiliation for identification purposes only
Denny Burk President, Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
John Piper Founder & Teacher, Desiring God Chancellor, Bethlehem Seminary and College
James Dobson Founder, Focus on the Family
Russell Moore President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
J. I. Packer Professor of Theology, Regent College
Wayne Grudem Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary
R. Albert Mohler, Jr. President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Tony Perkins President, Family Research Council
D. A. Carson Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
John MacArthur Pastor, Grace Community Church President, The Master’s Seminary and College
Sam Allberry Speaker & Apologist, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
R. C. Sproul Founder & Chairman, Ligonier Ministries
Rosaria Butterfield Author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
Francis Chan Author & Pastor, We Are Church
Marvin Olasky Editor in Chief, World Magazine
Ligon Duncan Chancellor & CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary
Steve Gaines President, The Southern Baptist Convention Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church
Andrew T. Walker Director of Policy Studies, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
H. B. Charles, Jr. Pastor, Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church
Christopher Yuan Speaker & Author, Moody Bible Institute
Dennis Rainey Founder & Former President, FamilyLife
Frank Page President & CEO, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee Former SBC President
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth Author & Speaker, Revive Our Hearts
Daniel L. Akin President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kevin DeYoung Senior Pastor, Christ Covenant Church
Alistair Begg Reverend, Parkside Church Heath Lambert Executive Director, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
Jerry A. Johnson President & CEO, National Religious Broadcasters
Mark Dever Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church
Randy Alcorn Director, Eternal Perspectives Ministries
Karen Swallow Prior Professor of English, Liberty University
Matt Chandler Pastor, The Village Church
Fred Luter Senior Pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Former SBC President
James MacDonald Founder and Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel Former SBC President
James Merritt Pastor, Cross Pointe Church
Jack Graham Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church
J. D. Greear Pastor, The Summit Church Darryl Delhousaye President, Phoenix Seminary
Thomas White President, Cedarville University
Bryant Wright Senior Pastor, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Former SBC President
Don Sweeting President, Colorado Christian University
Jeff Purswell Director of Theology, Sovereign Grace Churches
Johnny Hunt Pastor, FBC Woodstock Former SBC President
Jason K. Allen President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Erick-Woods Erickson Editor in Chief, The Resurgent
Mark L. Bailey President & Senior Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary
K. Erik Thoennes Professor and Chair of Theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Vaughan Roberts Rector of St. Ebbe’s Church (UK)
David French Senior Writer, National Review
Paige Patterson President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
R. Kent Hughes Visiting Professor of Practical Theology, Evangelism and Culture, Westminster Theological Seminary
Jeff Iorg President, Gateway Seminary
Sam Storms Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church Richard Land President, Southern Evangelical Seminary
Robert A. J. Gagnon Scholar and Author of The Bible and Homosexual Practice
Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver President, Union University
Ronnie Floyd Senior Pastor, Cross Church Former President, Southern Baptist Convention
C. J. Mahaney Senior Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville
Jason G. Duesing Provost, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary & College
Matt Carter Pastor of Preaching and Vision, The Austin Stone Church
Chuck Kelley President, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Burk Parsons Copastor, St. Andrew’s Chapel
Eric Teetsel President, Family Policy Alliance of Kansas
Alastair Roberts Scholar & Author of Heirs Together: A Theology of the Sexes
Kevin Ezell President, North American Mission Board
Ray Ortlund Pastor, Immanuel Church
O. S. Hawkins President, GuideStone SBC
Thom S. Rainer President & CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources
Michael Reeves President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology (UK)
Todd Wagner Pastor, Watermark Community Church
John M. Frame Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary
Randy Stinson Senior VP for Academic Administration and Provost, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Thomas Schreiner Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
H. Wayne House Academic Dean and Distinguished Research Professor, Faith International University
J. P. Moreland Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Bruce Ware Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Michael Goeke Associate Pastor, FBC San Francisco
Joel Belz Founder, World Magazine, World News Group
Afshin Ziafat Lead Pastor, Providence Church
Stephen Strang Founder & CEO, Charisma Media
Christiana Holcomb Legal Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom
Owen Strachan Associate Professor of Christian Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Anthony Kidd Pastor of Preaching, Community of Faith Bible Church
James M. Hamilton, Jr. Professor of Biblical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bryan Carter Senior Pastor, Concord Church
Chris Larson President & CEO, Ligonier Ministries
Bruce Riley Ashford Provost and Professor of Theology & Culture, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Candi Finch Assistant Professor of Theology in Women’s Studies, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Curtis Woods Associate Executive Director, Kentucky Baptist Convention
Nathan Finn Dean, School of Theology and Missions, Union University
James Robison Founder & President, LIFE Outreach International Founder & Publisher, The Stream
C. Ben Mitchell Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University
Darrell Bock Senior Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary
David Mathis Executive Editor, Desiring God
Ken Magnuson Professor of Christian Ethics, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Daniel Heimbach Senior Professor of Christian Ethics, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Hershael W. York Professor of Christian Preaching, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Mary Mohler Director, Seminary Wives Institute
Hunter Baker Associate Professor, Union University
Dorothy Kelley Patterson Professor of Theology in Women’s Studies, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jim Shaddix Professor of Expository Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
John N. Oswalt Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
Jack Deere Author and Speaker, Grace Church
Juan R. Sanchez Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church
Malcolm B. Yarnell III Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jonathan Leeman Editorial Director, 9Marks
Mary A. Kassian Author, Director, Girls Gone Wise
Mark Daniel Liederbach Professor & Vice President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Matthew J. Hall Dean of Boyce College & Senior VP of Academic Innovation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Micah Fries Senior Pastor, Brainerd Baptist Church
Nathan Lino Senior Pastor, Northeast Houston Baptist Church
Paul Weber President & CEO, Family Policy Alliance
Bob Lepine Vice President of Content, FamilyLife
Casey B. Hough Senior Pastor, FBC
Camden Russell Shubin Director, Salem Media Group
Allan Coppedge Retired Professor of Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary
Daniel DeWitt Director of the Center for Biblical Apologetics & Public Christianity, Cedarville University
Charlotte Akin Homemaker, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Don Buckley Physician, Spanish Trail Family Physicians
David Schrock Pastor for Preaching and Theology, Occoquan Bible Church
E. Calvin Beisner Founder & National Spokesman, Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation
Donald A. Balasa Adjunct Faculty, Trinity International University
Donna Thoennes Adjunct Professor and homeschool mom, Biola University
James A. Borland Professor of New Testament & Theology, Liberty University
Eric C. Redmond Assistant Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute
Grant Castleberry Pastor of Discipleship, Providence Church
Jose Abella Lead Pastor, Providence Road Church
Phillip Bethancourt Executive Vice President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Adam Greenway Dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, & Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Joy White Homemaker & Assistant Professor of Women’s Studies, Cedarville University
Gregory Wills Dean, School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Katie McCoy Assistant Professor of Theology in Women’s Studies, Scarborough College
Rhyne R. Putman Associate Professor of Theology and Culture, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Barry Joslin Professor of Christian Theology, Boyce College
Rhonda Kelley President’s Wife, Adjunct Faculty, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Peter Jones Executive Director, TruthXchange
Bryan Baise Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Apologetics, Boyce College
Kenneth Keathley Senior Professor of Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jeff Struecker Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church
Rebecca Jones Volunteer, truthXchange
Evan Lenow Associate Professor of Ethics, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Daniel Patterson Vice President for Operations and Chief of Staff, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
David Talley Professor of Old Testament, Biola University
Travis Wussow VP for Public Policy, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Sean Perron Chief of Staff, The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
Michael L. Brown President, FIRE School of Ministry
Keith Whitfield Assistant Professor & Dean, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jeffrey Riley Professor of Ethics, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Dannah Gresh Co-founder, Pure Freedom Matt Damico Associate Pastor of Worship, Kenwood Baptist Church
Colby Adams Director of Communications, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Paul Felix President, Los Angeles Bible Training School
Colin Smothers Executive Director, Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
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