Jesus was Freedom Fighter, not a Discriminator

The following is a response to a letter to the editor that appeared in the Albert Lea Tribune advocating acceptance of a Minnesota constitutional amendment to prevent gays and lesbians from marrying.

I appreciate Roger M. Nelson’s sincerity in his recent letter to the editor encouraging us to follow Jesus regarding the upcoming marriage amendment. However, I would like to suggest a different point of view from the conclusions he is drawing about what Jesus would have us do.

If Mr. Nelson had consulted his pastor or some other person who understands the nature of the contexts surrounding Bible passages, he may have discovered that the Romans passage he quotes was one that Jesus never read, and if Jesus had, it’s doubtful he would agree with Mr. Nelson’s interpretation of it. Mr. Nelson would have also likely found out that the writer of this passage was not referring to homosexuality as we know it today. In fact, he would have found that there is no word or phrase in the Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew languages to describe homosexual orientation at all.

The terms used in Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, and 1 Timothy 1, which many assume refer to homosexuality, are inadequate assumptions lacking in substance, as the Greek terminology used was referring to adult sexual activity with youth and rape, which represent abuses of power and of disrespect, not consensual activity between adults who are expressing love to one another.

I suggest that following Jesus means looking at what he said and did, and then trying to emulate that. Jesus was a liberal who defended the disadvantaged and outcasts of society (like women, prostitutes, the poor, the sick, tax collectors, etc.) from the privileged or conservative and pride-filled religious folk he would often confront (Mark 10:21; Matthew 23:23). We who are Christians would be well-advised that those whom Jesus chastised were often the self-righteous, educated and wealthy people in power who tended to see themselves as superior to those of lesser privilege.

If we want to follow the Jesus of the New Testament, we would do well to focus on feeding the poor, taking care of the sick and protecting the rights of those discriminated against in our society.

In my opinion, the government should not use legislation to prohibit the freedoms of its citizens, but to protect them. I support the right of churches to not marry gays if they wish, but they should not support the government in oppressing any minorities, gay or otherwise.       

I am writing as an invitation for us to examine and follow the Jesus of Matthew 22:35-40 and Matthew 7:1, who calls us out of judgment into acceptance and love.

I join with Mr. Nelson in his enthusiasm in considering how Jesus would vote on this amendment and also caution us to be careful about what we determine that means.

I, for one, will stand with the Jesus who defends his loved ones under attack from those who think it their calling to judge and control others. I will instead choose to support and accept those needing my embrace.

I will vote “no” on the upcoming amendment.

Following Jesus Means Love Trumps Judgment

Throughout our history, we Christians have had difficulty agreeing on what Jesus is really calling us to do.  Many times, we have used the Bible to condemn behaviors different from our own.

In the 1930’s and 40’s, some Christians uncomfortable with playing cards defined such as sinful.  In the 50’s, Christian used the Bible to proclaim dancing as taboo (Exodus 32: 19-21, 31).  In the 60’s & 70’s, you were sinning if you married a divorced person (Matt. 5: 31, 32). In the 90’s and 2000’s  - and still today - some Christians use the Bible to condemn homosexuals (Rom. 1: 26, 27). 

How we understand the Bible changes over time.  And it should.  If we are truly becoming more like Christ, as we move forward to mature in our faith, we will change. We will grow. We will become more like Him – more loving, more accepting, more welcoming of those different from ourselves.  As He demonstrated with the Woman at the Well (John 4), Zaccheaus (Luke 19), the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 7:53ff), and those crucifying him (Luke 23:34), this was His role-modeling.  Christians today who truly want to follow Him seek to spend less time judging, more time forgiving, less time excluding, more time including, less time rejecting, more time accepting.

For most Christians, it is no longer sinful to play cards, dance, or marry a divorced person.  Within a few years, most Christians will no longer consider it sinful to be homosexual.  We will instead refuse to participate in Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin (Ezekiel 16:49), and become ever more compassionate to those different from ourselves.

This will be a good thing.  Jesus prayed that we would all be One as He and His Father were One (John 17:9-11).  This can only happen when we stop our judging of others (Matt 7:1) and see us all as Children of God. 

Many gays are devout Christians.  Many of those who aren’t do not participate because when they sought the love of God in church, they could not find it there.

We all have the same Source, the same Creator.  And God does not condemn any of His children. Indeed, as Jesus said, “none have been lost” (John 17: 12).

The Prodigal Father  (Luke 15:20) was not interested in how the younger son was different from the older son. He was only interested in welcoming him home.  As we become more like the Jesus we follow, we too will be less concerned about judging others who are different, and more concerned about warmly accepting everyone into our midst.

I believe Jesus smiles as we become more like Him - when we recognize his Greatest Commandment  (Matt. 22: 36-40) trumps any other rule we may be compelled to embrace.

I share in Jesus’ hope that we will shed the responsibility we feel to be judges of each other. As we drop this judgment, we will finally become One, living the love of Jesus with all.

Are you living

Wide Awake?

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