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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Sorry, the formatting didn’t turn out right the first time around
for my screen, so here’s another try:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Keely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>If this is putting you on the spot, don’t worry; Joe will come
after me! :-)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thanks<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Michael <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Keely Wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Sorry, Michael -- you must have sent this yesterday?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Anyway . . . I don't know. I believe that some people are born
homosexual <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>and that most are born heterosexual. I believe that
relationships, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>sexuality, attraction, gender and the like are quite complex. I
also <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>believe that the simplest, most literal reading of Scripture may, in
many <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>cases, not bring about the correct understanding birthed by more
intense <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>study. Some things are absolutes. Love is one of them; a
stance on <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>homosexuality isn't.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Suspecting as I do that you want, then, a simple "yes" or
"no," I'm sure <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>you'll understand why that hill is not one I'm willing to die on
without <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>much more study, understanding, defining of terms, and
prayer. I will <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>stand by my original answer and gladly die on the hill of honoring
Christ <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Jesus in love, and loving others because of Him.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>That's a simple answer I'm able to give any time.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>keely<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<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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