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<div class=Section1><pre><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>Keely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Maybe it will help to at least come to agreement for now about what it would mean to answer this question either way. Here’s how I would understand the weakest possible version of question: if homosexuality is part of our sin condition, that would mean that God did not design or intend the sexs and sexuality for a homosexual union. This sort of behavior is not what God intended originally in virtue of creation. On the other hand, if homosexuality is NOT part of our sin condition, then it is perfectly natural in virtue of creation; God fully intended it and designed the sexes and sexuality for a homosexual union. Or perhaps a different way of stating this weak version of the question is to simply ask: Is homosexuality a result of the fall?<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I think this way of setting up the question is a bit too weak for my taste, but perhaps it is a good testing ground for a first step in agreeing about what the question even is. So I would be interested to know if you agree with at least this way of understanding the question. This has been such a controversial issue around here, and so it would seem this is a worth while pursuit.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The biblical categories on the subject would of course have to include issues such as homosexuality as ‘judgement’ (Rom 1), and something that perverts and destroys the goodness and holiness of sexuality, not to mention one of its basic functions: a bunch of little kiddies. Marriage between a man and woman speaks of the eternal Trinitarian communion and of the relationship between Jesus and the church (Eph 5); and so homosexuality could possibly be seen as theological heresy, a lie about God and redemption, if it was concluded that it was in fact part of our sin condition. (note: such heresy and lying would be even more extreme for husbands who mistreat their children and wives.) So more interesting questions would be lurking in the nearby bushes once we settled the weak version of the question; but that is of course not where we are at for the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>One last note. I’m not sure how to take your statement, “Some things are absolutes. Love is one of them; a stance on homosexuality isn't.” This becomes important in these ‘postmodern times;’ clarification would be good. Are you saying that there isn’t possibly a correct answer to this question, one that is ‘absolute?’ Does God not even have an answer to this question? <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Or, do you mean that it is just too exegetically murky? Something that we just can’t figure out based on the revelation of the bible? Something that God was perhaps purposefully silent or ambiguous about? <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>In other words, is there just no answer in principle for us, or is it just in principle impossible for us to know at this time?<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>If this is putting you on the spot, don’t worry; Joe will come after me! :-)<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Thanks<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Michael <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Keely Wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Sorry, Michael -- you must have sent this yesterday?<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Anyway . . . I don't know. I believe that some people are born homosexual <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>and that most are born heterosexual. I believe that relationships, <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>sexuality, attraction, gender and the like are quite complex. I also <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>believe that the simplest, most literal reading of Scripture may, in many <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>cases, not bring about the correct understanding birthed by more intense <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>study. Some things are absolutes. Love is one of them; a stance on <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>homosexuality isn't.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Suspecting as I do that you want, then, a simple "yes" or "no," I'm sure <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>you'll understand why that hill is not one I'm willing to die on without <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>much more study, understanding, defining of terms, and prayer. I will <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>stand by my original answer and gladly die on the hill of honoring Christ <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Jesus in love, and loving others because of Him.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>That's a simple answer I'm able to give any time.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>keely<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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