God and the “Gay” Christian:

A Response to Matthew Vines

          We expect attacks from those outside the Kingdom of God.  After all it is not shocking for a non-believer to act according to his/her nature.  But when attacks come seemingly from the inside, it is particularly disturbing. 

          Who would have thought we would ever see a book title like the recent release by Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian.  Vines claims to be an evangelical Christian with a high view of Scripture.  He argues that being “gay” in a committed same-sex relationship (and eventual marriage) is totally compatible with biblical Christianity.  His arguments are not completely new, nor are they unique, but rather a synthesis of arguments previously made by revisionist Bible scholars.

          Vines identifies six Bible passages that he claims have stood in the way of countless gay people who have longed for acceptance from their Christian parents, friends, and churches.  These passages are Gen. 19:5; Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9; and 1 Tim. 1:10.  He basically argues that mankind has always had a flawed understanding of human sexuality stemming primarily from wrong teaching by the church on the issue. 

          Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, comments in a recent article countering Vine’s conclusions, “His book flows from a startling ambition – to overthrow two millennia of Christian moral wisdom and biblical understanding.”  (Albert Mohler “God, the Gospel, and the Gay Challenge – A Response to Matthew Vines.”  Read the full article at: http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/04/22/god-the-gospel-and-the-gay-challenge-a-response-to-matthew-vines/ )

          Inherent to all human being’s sinful nature is the inclination to interpret Scripture to fit our lifestyle rather than adjust our lifestyle to align with Scripture.  We do not want to violate God’s Word, largely out of fear of consequences; therefore it is much easier to try and seek out ways to synthesize our practices with Scripture.  Since Scripture does not, and cannot, change it is incumbent on human beings to change their behavior.  However, compelling desires have proven to lead people toward seeking to change Scripture instead of themselves.  Attacking it head-on has proven far less effective than more subtle attempts to undermine.  All human beings seek acceptance and justification for their lifestyle and/or behavior, which has led some to highly creative and imaginative interpretations.

          The Bible was not written in a complicated manner.  The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, the common vernacular of the people as opposed to the Classical Greek of the more learned and of literary prominence.  This means the Bible was written and inspired in such a way that even the under-educated could read and generally understand. 

          The Bible is as clear, or clearer, on the issue of homosexual practice than it is on any moral teaching.  There is absolutely no doubt what it says and what it means.  God did not give us a complicated set of Scriptures in order to keep 2 millennia of Christians completely confused and misled on the issue of homosexuality just waiting for Matthew Vines to come along and finally show them the light.  I know it sounds crazy, but Vines is saying, in effect, all the most Godly and learned theologians, pastors, seminary presidents, authors, professors, early church fathers, popes, reformers, missionaries and billions of laypersons have been wrong on this issue but now he has been honored as the one to reveal the truth at a moment in time when the political climate just happens to be primed and ready to applaud his efforts for doing so.  What a coincidence; quite interesting indeed.

          Certainly we should have a measure of compassion and concern to reach persons like Matthew Vines with the Gospel of Christ.  Salvation, we remember, is delivery from the bondage of all sins which enslave us.  Salvation was never intended to merely provide a coping mechanism by which we could somehow better tolerate remaining in bondage.  Vines is saying, in effect, that any salvation he claims to have is incomplete.  It is lacking in its ability to take control of his life.  Instead his homosexual desires still constrain him and control him.  He is the typical lost person in that sense – one who is lost/wandering/confused within his sinful passions.  Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove to do that which is the good, the acceptable, and perfect will of God.” 

          Vines doesn’t need to try and worry about what the Bible has to say concerning homosexuality until he can understand what the Bible says about giving his life to Christ.  The Apostle Paul claimed all sort of justification to persecute and kill Christians and believed he was, in so doing, performing a service for God.  But then he met Christ on the road to Damascus and his theology, wants, desires, passions, and outlook were changed in an instant.  He went from following a religion (set of ideas) to following the Redeemer (Christ)!  Matthew Vines needs to study carefully passages that tell one how to have a changed life and study carefully the overwhelming number of passages which give insight as to what that changed life looks like before he tackles moral teachings that can only truly be understood as the “new creature” 2 Corinthians 5:17 identifies.

          Vines writes of being raised in an evangelical Presbyterian church by Christian parents.  He says he came relatively late to understanding his own sexual desires and pattern of attraction.  He seeks acceptance from his parents, society, and from God.  But ultimately wants to be married to a man.  He argues the Bible simply has no concept of sexual orientation and that to deny him access to marriage is to deny justice and happiness which he has a right to enjoy.  He argues that celibacy cannot be mandated for same-sex individuals within the church, for this would be unjust and wrong.

          Although, still highly inaccurate, his arguments might carry slightly more weight if they were not so obviously self-serving.  If someone who did not desire to justify their own behavior and lifestyle – who had no dog in the hunt – compiled this research it might be more convincing to a few people.  But overwhelmingly, it clearly is antithetical to the Scripture’s teachings to a degree that is beyond dispute by any reasonable interpreter.  And his conclusions are self-serving to the point of absurdity.

          As I have considered these things, once I get past the initial anger of how someone could attempt to subvert and malign the clear teachings of Scripture on this subject, I cannot help but feel deeply saddened for this man.  Look at how far his sin has led him.  Not merely to get involved with homosexual practice, in the first place, and then to push for marriage, but literally to the extent of setting down with the Bible, eisegeting (reading into Scripture one’s own biases and presuppositions) it to fit his own desires.  The New Testament is clear.  It is “He” (Christ) who justifies us and we cannot justify ourselves.  Our justification does not come by strong/compelling desires, political movements, rhetoric, or even writing a book.  It comes only by repentance from our sins, turning our whole lives over to Christ and following Him.      

 

In Christ,

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor