“The biblical insistence that Christians must resist temptation and so maintain sexual holiness, in both desire and behavior, applies equally to heterosexually attracted individuals as it does to same-sex attracted persons. We acknowledge, however, that Christians who are same-sex attracted face challenges even in Christian communities.” - CPost
“We must seriously weigh some questions: Is the biblical sex ethic a boundary marker for the faith once and for all delivered to us? Can someone reject it and still inherit the kingdom of God?” - TGC
“What is temptation? As John Owen notes, ‘It is raising up in the heart, and proposing unto the mind and affections, that which is evil; trying, as it were, whether the soul will close with its suggestions, or how far it will carry them on, though it do not wholly prevail….’” - Ref21
“It offers hope for a Christian fighting misplaced impulses and longings, since the Bible offers guidance in how to overcome temptation (see more below).” - Ponder Anew
Pastor Tom Buck of First Baptist Church Lindale, Texas “takes issue with how Shaw explains navigating same-sex attraction and has called on Sam Allberry and The Gospel Coalition (TGC) not to support Shaw any longer.” - C.Leaders
Debate over whether there can be such a thing as a “gay Christian” has raged for a while now, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Much of the conflict is over deeply incompatible views on the authority of Scripture, and the right basic approach to interpreting it. Some of the conflict, though, might not be necessary at all—because it arises from a combination of unclear language and slightly (but consequentially) faulty interpretation.
If we could clear some of this up, we’ll relate the Bible better to the times we live in and—as much as possible—avoid sending the wrong message. Three principles may help.
“Why, then, should we use—much less build ministries around—identities imposed by a fallen culture that detract from the transformative power of the gospel that gives every believer new life in Christ?’“Same-sex attracted Christian?’ ‘Gay Christian?’ I fail to see how such designations can survive a proper appreciation of our union with Christ.” - Tom Ascol
