I wanted to cite another article on the same subject, written by the gay student himself, but Jim beat me to it! It is definitely more “colorful,” but worth the read nonetheless.
I would add one observation about homosexuality. It is one grievous sin among many which men commit. Running from the issue, or holding homosexuals at arm’s length is not the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer, for this or any other sin men struggle with. Too many Christians have such a visceral reaction to the sin that it impedes evangelism of a group of folks who sorely need the Gospel. The testimony of Rosaria Butterfield comes immediately to mind.
Nobody would advocate ministering to alcoholics by deriding them, barring the church doors to them or calling them “lushes” from the pulpit. Yet, some of us would not hesitate to shout the word “sodomite” from the pulpit, almost relishing the chance to condemn this particular sin. It does need to be condemned, in no uncertain terms, but if we’re being deliberately spiteful while we’re doing it we achieve precisely nothing.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
You are right of course, but some of it has to do with the people we are dealing with. Drunks don’t hold parades promoting “drunk rights” or go to court to get recognition and equal status under the law. The homosexual issue is about the way proponents approach the discussion as much as it is about the sin itself.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
This is sad but not shocking. I am two years into an online grade degree at Liberty. Part of the reason i chose them was because they generally recognized as a conservative evangelical school, but that has not been my experience. I just finished a class on conflict resolution where we had a secular text but did not spend a single minute on scriptural principles. I have had texts by 3rd wave charismatics who openly promoted additional reading from universalists and lots of squishy theology. It has been very disappointing - as is this whole story.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
That is a very sad state of affairs. I was pondering going with them for a ThM online down the road. I am disappointed to hear about your experience with them.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
@ JoshP - Yes they are accredited. However, my degree is an ed degree online. They are the only Christian program offering it, and I still think it’s better than a secular university.
@ Tyler - I would never pursue a theological degree here. I looked at their M Div program a couple years ago. It looks really good on paper, but I wouldn’t even take classes for something like that to transfer somewhere else now. Education degrees are a different matter. Though, honestly, I would never recommend the school for an undergraduate. For a mature Christian educator looking for graduate or post graduate work it has its limited value.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
Appreciate the insight, Chip. I’m leaning heavily towards going back active-duty as a Navy Chaplain once I get my MDiv, so I’ll have to find an online ThM going forward at that point. I’ll scratch Liberty off the list for now. Thanks.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
Appreciate the insight, Chip. I’m leaning heavily towards going back active-duty as a Navy Chaplain once I get my MDiv, so I’ll have to find an online ThM going forward at that point. I’ll scratch Liberty off the list for now. Thanks.
The administration of LU is faced with the reality that they have a student who is openly and proudly defying God’s blueprint for human sexuality. Will they follow the principles set forth in I Corinthian 5?
The administration of LU is faced with the reality that they have a student who is openly and proudly defying God’s blueprint for human sexuality. Will they follow the principles set forth in I Corinthian 5?
Walking on Liberty’s campus for the 2008 graduate Brandon Ambrosino is like taking a trip back in time.
I would suspect their situation is very similar to what the military was like before the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” We all knew fellow Sailors who were homosexual; some very openly so. However, unless there was an explicit pronouncement by the homosexual servicemember, then everybody … sort of looked away and pretended the issue wasn’t there. Unless the gay student walked into the administration office and announced, “I’m gay,” I am not surprised no action was taken.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
Discussion
NewAtlantic article
http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/04/being-gay-at-jerry-fal…
Twitter
Jim's Doctrinal Statement
NewCall me crazy, but...
…wouldn’t 1 Corinthians 5 apply here? And because LU won’t apply it, are they not “walking disorderly”?
A little compromise here, a little cultural relevance there and voila…
Sad.
NewAnother article on the same subject
I wanted to cite another article on the same subject, written by the gay student himself, but Jim beat me to it! It is definitely more “colorful,” but worth the read nonetheless.
I would add one observation about homosexuality. It is one grievous sin among many which men commit. Running from the issue, or holding homosexuals at arm’s length is not the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer, for this or any other sin men struggle with. Too many Christians have such a visceral reaction to the sin that it impedes evangelism of a group of folks who sorely need the Gospel. The testimony of Rosaria Butterfield comes immediately to mind.
Nobody would advocate ministering to alcoholics by deriding them, barring the church doors to them or calling them “lushes” from the pulpit. Yet, some of us would not hesitate to shout the word “sodomite” from the pulpit, almost relishing the chance to condemn this particular sin. It does need to be condemned, in no uncertain terms, but if we’re being deliberately spiteful while we’re doing it we achieve precisely nothing.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewBrandon Ambrosino
NewTyker, You are right of
Tyker,
You are right of course, but some of it has to do with the people we are dealing with. Drunks don’t hold parades promoting “drunk rights” or go to court to get recognition and equal status under the law. The homosexual issue is about the way proponents approach the discussion as much as it is about the sin itself.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
NewThis is sad but not shocking.
This is sad but not shocking. I am two years into an online grade degree at Liberty. Part of the reason i chose them was because they generally recognized as a conservative evangelical school, but that has not been my experience. I just finished a class on conflict resolution where we had a secular text but did not spend a single minute on scriptural principles. I have had texts by 3rd wave charismatics who openly promoted additional reading from universalists and lots of squishy theology. It has been very disappointing - as is this whole story.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
NewChip, they are accredited
Chip, they are accredited right? Could you transfer credits elsewhere?
NewChip
That is a very sad state of affairs. I was pondering going with them for a ThM online down the road. I am disappointed to hear about your experience with them.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
New@ JoshP - Yes they are
@ JoshP - Yes they are accredited. However, my degree is an ed degree online. They are the only Christian program offering it, and I still think it’s better than a secular university.
@ Tyler - I would never pursue a theological degree here. I looked at their M Div program a couple years ago. It looks really good on paper, but I wouldn’t even take classes for something like that to transfer somewhere else now. Education degrees are a different matter. Though, honestly, I would never recommend the school for an undergraduate. For a mature Christian educator looking for graduate or post graduate work it has its limited value.
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
NewGood to Know
Appreciate the insight, Chip. I’m leaning heavily towards going back active-duty as a Navy Chaplain once I get my MDiv, so I’ll have to find an online ThM going forward at that point. I’ll scratch Liberty off the list for now. Thanks.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewMaranatha has an online MA.
Maranatha has an online MA. http://www.mbbc.edu for more info.
Hoping to shed more light than heat..
NewThe administration of LU is
The administration of LU is faced with the reality that they have a student who is openly and proudly defying God’s blueprint for human sexuality. Will they follow the principles set forth in I Corinthian 5?
NewHe graduated in 2008
Walking on Liberty’s campus for the 2008 graduate Brandon Ambrosino is like taking a trip back in time.
(Or did I miss something).
Twitter
Jim's Doctrinal Statement
NewSimilar to the Military
I would suspect their situation is very similar to what the military was like before the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” We all knew fellow Sailors who were homosexual; some very openly so. However, unless there was an explicit pronouncement by the homosexual servicemember, then everybody … sort of looked away and pretended the issue wasn’t there. Unless the gay student walked into the administration office and announced, “I’m gay,” I am not surprised no action was taken.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewAccording to newsstation
According to newsstation WSET, he is a current student in their seminary.
http://www.wset.com/story/22249465/coming-out-at-liberty-university-the-story-of-one-gay-lu-grad