I actually felt like the conversation was really helpful. And, I think most of the answers that were given were from a well balanced biblical perspective that understands the gospel. At first I struggled with the concept that a gospel-centered Christian could have a life long battle with same-sex attraction. But then I realized my shortsightedness(I don't even know if that is a word). The key word is attraction. It is not a life long battle with giving in to homosexual behavior that is being talked about. A godly man who is attracted to the opposite sex will always be fighting against letting his sexual passions go on either pornography or multiple partners or whatever else you can fill the blank with. Because we live in a fallen world I don't see why the converse is possible where a godly man could have a life long battle fighting against same sex attraction. There are many other analogies I think I could go to but I don't want this comment to be too long.
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Benji Davis
10/4/2012 11:23:01 am
I agree with Jon that his distinction between same-sex attraction and behavior is helpful in thinking through the issue. But two points stood out to me as significant in what Vaughan was saying. First, a Christian's struggle with a particular sin (whether it be life-long or for only a season of life) doesn't define them. As Christians, we have transformatively encountered the risen Christ and continue to encounter him along our metamorphic journey from being identified by sin to being identified by and transformed into the crucified and risen Christ. Second, Vaughan's call for openness and dialogue concerning this matter in churches is to be commended. Churches should set a biblical agenda and tone concerning this discussion and not allow it to be directed by the political and cultural battles of our day. This will require that we smash the straw men that we have erected for anyone struggling with the slightest degree of same-sex attraction and allow the Spirit to forge an atmosphere of openness where people can come and transformatively encounter the risen Christ in the community of the baptized.