Emergent church leader says gay can be biblical lifestyle

Once again another leader who has the influence to shape the minds and theology of this next generation has drastically compromised the truth of the Gospel.  Tony Jones is an author and leader in the Emergent Village movement, which in my opinion, is one of the most dangerous movements facing the church today.  Tony has finally stated that he believes “‘gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer’ individuals can and should live out their sexuality in – and blessed by – the Christian church.”  Emergent authors such as Tony have been saturating the publishing world with books that are marketed to the teenage to twenty-something demographic.  Their message is clear, today’s Christianity needs to be redefined for a more relevant generation and its theology reframed for current culture.

In this article, Jones states “all the time I could feel myself drifting toward acceptance that gay persons are fully human persons and should be afforded all of the cultural and ecclesial benefits that I am.”  Here is the key; of course homosexuals are fully human people that should be treated with the basic respect that is afforded to everyone.  The Church, unfortunately, has missed this mark dramatically in the past and we are now reaping the consequences of our actions.  However, this is not an excuse to throw away 2 millennia of sound church doctrine and the unmistakably clear statements of scripture on this issue because of the Church’s irresponsibility to display the love of Christ in all situations.  The point is that the perception of homosexuals being anything less than fully human is tragically false and this is where Jones made his first mistake.  Had he initially seen them as creations of the Heavenly Father who are intended for a divine purpose and loved unconditionally, he would have been able to navigate and interpret Scripture without the compromise of “his experiences and feelings leading him toward a different conclusion.”

Many have made the mistake of seeing those impacted by homosexuality as something less.  This perception instantly removes us from a Biblical foundation and misrepresents the heart of God.  We are, therefore, left with no alternative than to be led by experience and emotion in order to find our way.  If we initially see each person as a divinely created being intended for relationship with the Father, then we have our compass to guide us in the correct interpretation of Scripture that leads to a Biblical response of mercy and truth to all who will hear.

via Emergent church leader says gay can be biblical lifestyle