February 2012
28 posts
“I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly...”
– Vincent van Gogh
(via blua)
1 tag
2 tags
Meanwhile in another part of the Salvation Army
The conversation is still going on. Johnny Laird (who kindly posted a blogpost about my article series on LGBTQ) reminded me of this excellent video segment from Just Salvos featuring an interview with Jay Bakker:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jKbWepVs5I[/youtube]
I think the most important part of this video clip is the realigning of the LGBTQ issue from a sin issue to a social...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 12 - coming out
Sitting here pondering and reflecting on some of the discussions that have come out of LGBT posts here on the blog. The first thing that strikes me is that there are so few persons leaving comments in relation to the high number of visitors.
I think that fear may be a large factor, both for those who disagree (who fear being labeled as bigoted fundamentalists) and those who agree (who are afraid...
I don't Believe in conversion
Q: Ok, if you were trying to convert me, what books etc would you tell me to read??
A: hmmm, Well I don't think I'd want to convert you
Q: Why??
A: But I would LOVE the conversations we would have around http://amzn.to/xpDQGT. I don't believe in conversion, I believe in conversation ... the goal is not to become christian. the goal is to meet with god. Conversion is ugly and coercive. I would love to have conversations with you about that book, about the immanence of the divine and the process of god ... the science and the philosophy ...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 11 - Continued conversation
Following many words and much wrestling with the scriptures, doctrines, and my own faith, I have come to find, that no matter how I read the biblical text, I can never escape from my commission to love the Lord with all my soul, with all my heart and with all my strength. And to love my neighbor as myself. Unless Jesus came into the world to condemn it but rather to save it, then it’s not...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 10 - Recommended reading
Recommended reading
Andrew Marin – Love as an Orientation – Elevating the conversation with the gay community. (Paperback – Amazon UK, Kindle International)
Jay Bakker – Fall to grace – A Revolution of God, Self & Society (Hardcover – Amazon UK, Kindle international)
Walter Wink – Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of conscience for the churches (Paperback – Amzon UK, Kindle...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 9 - The Salvation Army
The problem persists in the Salvation Army, of today. In which way can we include LGBT persons in our fellowship without creating groupings; an A team and a B team? How can the Corps offer (church) membership in the Salvation Army in a positive manner that allows GLBT persons to feel valued, appreciated and loved by both the corps fellowship (soldiers/adherents) and also by the God to Whom the...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 8 - Four possible approaches
There are probably as many ways to approach LGBTQ issues as there are people with opinions. What follows is a summary of the second half of “One familyâs story” written by Bishop Paul Wenner Egertson and found in Walter Wink’s book: Homosexuality and the Christian Faith (pages 28-30).
Bishop Paul Wenner Egertson depicts four different approaches to LGBTQ people who may be...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 7 - Pastoral care
The LGBTQ issue has always created friction between the way we understand and interpret the Bible’s view of holiness and how we as pastors are to preserve order, caring for and counselling LGBTQ people. The greatest dichotomy is perhaps between whether we are called to “liberate” LGBTQ people or to have a conversation with LGBTQ people, where we recognize their reality and...
January 2012
44 posts
2 tags
LGBTQ part 6 - Double standards
The church in general and the SA in particular (at least for the moment) in the aftermath of the Eyewitness News program “Cold Facts” – followed closely in FSAOF blog) is under constant attack from the public where the Church is called to account for the prevailing double standards and selective biblical adherence.
There are several issues where the various Christian communities need to consider...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 5 - Jesus
After a review of the scriptures that have traditionally been used to describe and condemn homosexual acts, it’s deemed important to consider Jesus’ awkward silence on the issue. It is not unimportant to note that Jesus did not speak out on this issue. Jesus is the head of the Church and the individual disciples’ headmaster. (Lead teacher) Therefore, a credible perspective of Jesus must put...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 4 - Scripture
Of course, one must carefully consider the scripture portions that deal with homosexuality. It may be interesting to take into account the fact that there are six Bible verses (three OT and three NT) and two Old Testament stories traditionally associated with homosexuality.
Set this against the more than 600 Bible verses that talk about greed, one can imagine that the number of words / hours...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 3 - Science
Part 3 -2012 LGBTQ and Science
Before moving to and delving into the depth of the biblical text, we might want to look at what science has to say on the GLBT issue, primarily to clarify the position (starting point) on which the following texts are based.
An entire dissertation could be written on what science has to say about homosexuality to date, and naturally this has already been done. The...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 2 - Hermeneutics
LGBTQ Part - 2
“ We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.”
These are the opening words of the Salvation Army’s eleven doctrines. And it is here that one must begin each theological discussion. But perhaps it is not enough to simply have the...
2 tags
LGBTQ part 1 - Introduction
Part 1 – Introduction From the Swedish – HBTQ: Homosexual. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer movement in Sweden 2012
It was an ordinary day (as if there are ordinary days for those who follow the Spirit’s leading), and the Holy Spirit tells Philip that he must go down to the desert road. There Philip is instructed to stay close to a chariot carrying an Ethiopian eunuch. “Go to that chariot and stay...
2 tags
LGBTQ - Prelogos
I have written an extensive blog series (12 posts) on my Swedish blog about LGBTQ issues within the church in general and the Salvation Army in Sweden in particular. I was undecided whether or not I should post it in english as well, but when Sven Jungholm asked last week if he could translate and post it over on his blog for former officers I agreed. Then I thought I might as well post it over...
