The Simple Pastor
By Phil Whittall, church planter, blogger & book reviewer
RT @lukedvd: Hope his resignation from the England manager job will allow @JoelVirgo to focus on his church duties #nomorehairdye 1 day ago
Over the past year I’ve read a number of books on the issue of Christianity and homosexuality. Some have been about helping those who want to leave the gay lifestyle behind them, some have been about the differing views of Christians on the issue, some have been about defending Christianity against homosexuality and still others about the way forward on a theoretical level.
Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin does none of those things, instead it’s the way forward on a practical, personal level. Marin was a self-confessed homophobe who began to change when 3 college friends all came out to him as gay (or GLBT). Since then he has sought to build bridges between two warring communities – the GLBT community and the church. On the whole it seems he has done a remarkable job.
Marin is a missionary to the GLBT unreached people group and this book is in part about cross-cultural mission and seeking to understand the culture in order to bring people to know God’s love. The aim of the book is to ‘elevate the conversation’ away from the traditional battle grounds so that there is genuine dialogue, relationship and trust and so avoids easy answers.
I think sometimes he avoids a bit too much, so for example he says a few times that, “if we could only release control of what might happen down the road in a GLBT person’s life when Jesus enters, I promise that God loves his children enough to always tell each of them what he feels is best for their life.” (p85)
Sounds nice. What God feels is best for their life. And I can work that our for myself can I? Just by listening hard? Listening to my feelings? Trusting my heart? This is, for me, one of the weaknesses of the book is that it holds to the individualism of the 20/21st century and it is the individual who decides what is ultimate and that usually leads to conflict.
Pastors in particular are in the uncomfortable position of concern for the body corporate and individual, its integrity, its discipline, its witness and holiness. There are no easy answers to that but its unavoidable that all those issues come sharply into focus if a practising gay joins the family.
Marin, to his credit does argue (rightly) that as people come closer to Jesus, if their hearts and lives are laid before him change of some sort is inevitable, that is what happens in a surrendered life. But the challenge to all (straight or gay) is to surrender everything, sexuality included.
It would be interesting to see how his thought matures, whether he will write something for the church leader or even more intriguingly if he wrote something aimed at those in the gay community who are seeking Christ or engaging with the church.
A few other observations, the guy cries a lot. Maybe I’m just hard hearted and not heard as many anguished stories but there is an awful lot of blubbing going on. A few times ‘research’ was mentioned without reference which isn’t helpful because we can all quote that sort of research and it really needed better referencing.
This is an important book because it recognises that the debate about homosexuality is also a debate about real people and in this case people that are often vulnerable, often defensive, often hurting. It’s a good reminder for the church to have. Marin will be speaking at Spring Harvest in 2010.
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a husband, a father, church planter, keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
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