AZspot AZspot

blue bits. red rocks.
Friday 13 August 2010
“Gospel” Response?

The “Gospel” response to Prop 8? “How do I love my homosexual neighbor as myself?”

Each generation we look back in horror at the things that have been done in the past, taking refuge in the thought that, had we been there, we would have defied the majority and fought for what’s right. How easy retrospect is!

  • “If I had been in Calvin’s Geneva, I would never have approved the burning of Servetus!”
  • “If I had been at the Westminster Assembly I would have stood against the regicide!”
  • “If I had been alive in the Middle Ages I would never have gone on crusade!”
  • “If I had been alive during the Spanish Inquisition I would have been a voice for grace!”

And, every generation we are given a mirror in the issues of our own day to reflect back to us that, no, had we been alive we would have capitulated to power and injustice–would have refused to ask, “What does it mean to love my neighbor?”–just like those who came before us did.

Oh no, if I had been alive in the first century I would never have participated in his crucifixion. And I know that because I faithfully hold fast to everything that’s written in the scriptures and pour my life into seeing that it’s upheld!

Yes, there were those in the first century as well. And they weren’t the followers of Jesus but the Pharisees who went off with the Herodians to plot how to kill him.

If I had been alive in the 21st century, I would have forced the Christians in my community to ask, “What does it mean to love your homosexual neighbor as your Christian self?”

No, you didn’t.

A GNT creation ©2007–2012