We had a discussion the other day, “we” being the ‘leadership team’ of the church I hang with.  The topic was the authority of the scriptures.  My observation was that I thought God was pretty secure with His sense of authority, that since He is unchanging, we could count on His word to stand regardless of whether other people agree - and Thus I don’t think we need to put much effort into getting people to verbally affirm the Bible, we just let it be true and live accordingly.

I was intrigued as I read the follow up posts on the Isaiah 58 blog.  I wonder why homosexuality has been singled out in the abominations?   Of course I have read Leviticus 18:22 ‘you shall not lie with a male as with a female, it is an abomination”.  And Leviticus 11:12 ‘whatever in the water does not have fins and scales is an abomination’.  (So sad because I love crab….)  Proverbs 16:5 “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.”  Proverbs 6:16, 19: Ther are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him (ps, sex of any kind didn’t make the list) a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.  This last bit is what intrigues me.  The issues of sexuality, myriad as they are, have stirred much strife.  ??

Back at the leadership team meeting, I was getting a bit worked up becuase we had wandered into moralism - which I despise despite it’s attractive costumes.  The discussion was about homesexuality and people living together before marriage and taking a careful but clear stand for ‘the truth’.  I explained that many years ago I worked at a home/resource center for women involved in prostitution in Chicago.  One night a very pregnant 19 year old hooker came in late to a court mandated “support group”.  She was late because she had done a quick ‘date’ enroute. ???  (Guys, explain, please!)  This was a gal who had a mom who was a truck stop worker/prostitute.  One day mama never came back.  The girl learned how to survive quickly.  My point was and is that if Jesus were to appear in front of this young lady he would not castigate her moral “choices” or call her a sexual deviant, he would cradle her in His arms until for the first time in many, many years, she felt cherished.  And perhaps then, only then and yet maybe not, would He begin to talk to her about being in healthy relationships and how much He dreams for her happiness.

I wonder how much energy has been put into obeying the call to suspend judgement?  I am not saying open the gates and let the pedophiles become Sunday school teachers.  I am wondering ho wmany sermons have been preached, books written, etc… on the importance of not judging, of not pretending to know someone else’s story and the primacy of compassion.