Disappointing!

Occasionally, people you hold up in high esteem disappoint you.  Such has just happened to me.  I have always appreciated what Tony Compolo has had to say.  I have even quoted him recently in a sermon.  But this past week has been a disappointment.

According to two different articles (Denison Forum & AlbertMohler.com) shared with me, Tony has caved.  His wife has been a proponent of considering gay marriages and relationships as something normal and should be accepted by the Church as consistent with God's desires.  He yielded to temptation and sided with her on the issue.  But he is wrong.

Al Mohler says it well when he suggests that no where in the Bible does it encourage homosexuality.  In fact, any time it is mentioned it is condemned.

1 Timothy 1:10 NIV puts it this way ... for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers ... and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine".  The point here is that homosexuality is contrary to sound doctrine (as well as the other sin habits mentioned).   

Romans 1:24-27 NIV uses words like "shameful lusts", "depraved minds", "unnatural", "indecent acts", and "perversion" when referring to homosexuality.  There is nothing in these descriptions that would suggest that it it consistent with the desires of God.  In fact, quite the opposite.  

Sorry Tony!  As much as I have appreciated much of what you have had to say, you missed it on this one.

Having said all this I must continue.  Even though the Church must not accept perversion as normal and acceptable, we are to love those who commit the perversion.  Most commonly put, 'we hate the sin but love the sinner'.  That is especially significant since we have all sinned (Romans 3:23).  But just because we all have sinned does not mean that we should become compliant with sin.  It simply means that as Christ followers who love others, we must expose the sin and restore the sinner!