Mike's Heresy of the Month: Walking Shoes

I just wrote this as a comment on a post of Adam's, and I've decided to put it up here.

Here's an outrageous thought:

Everyone put down their books, put on their shoes, go find a gay person (or, even better, a gay couple in a long-term, stable relationship), and make friends with them.

And then come back and talk to us.

Peace.

I probably should have fleshed this out a little more, but it gets across the heart of what I wanted to say. This isn't a shot at Adam; I'm glad he's tackling this issue the way he is. What I'm trying to say is this is not an intellectual, philosophical, or even theological question. (I'm not sure there are such things, anyway.) What we decide is truth will impact the way we treat people. (Don't try to tell me it won't... I won't believe you.)

Of course, I'm writing this at 3:45 in the morning. I don't think I'll feel differently in the morning, though.

Comments

[anj]

Mike - you have voiced, clearler than I ever have, my feelings about this issue. Until I know the story of the gays or lesbians I am around, how can I determine where God is for them? Once I know their story, their sexual orientation becomes much less of an issue. Friendships with two long term lesbian couples have helped to put flesh on this issue for me. How I love them and honor their image-bearer dignity is all I really care about. Jesus really can take care of the rest. Peace and blessings to you this blessed season.

[Vaughn Thompson]

Mike- Thanks for being a man of action. Although, I would have to add a caveat to your excellent post, here. Any person who has to go out and "find" someone who gay or lesbian is not exactly looking around themselves or perhaps just needs to get out more. Sort of like having to "go" out and "find" someone who is black or asian. I work with two gay men and it has raised these thorny questions for me. I'm starting to be inclined towards Adam in this regard but not from reading about it (although perhaps I should) but from my friendship with a couple of guys at work. Perhaps, an incarnational approach might be to flip your statement about truth on its head - How we treat people could shape what is true for us. Treating gays and lesbians with love and respect may just open our eye to our Savior. Thanks again for your thoughts.

[Mike]

Point taken, Vaughn. I'll chalk it up to a poor choice of words, a little sarcasm, and the fact that it was 3:45 am at the time. The reality is Sue and I have new friends - 2 men who could teach just about every one I know (including most Christians)a thing or two about loving relationships. Like Anj, I'll say that it changes your whole outlook when it ceases to be an intellectual exercise.

[Lisa]

Well, you already know where I stand on this issue. These two friends of mine have taught me more about committment, love and relationship than any of my het friends.

But the important point is that I love them because of who they are. Not because of any 'incarnational approach' or anything like that. That has been the most valuable gift of our friendship; in their presence, I've learned to leave behind the awkward purposeful evangelism, lay that by the wayside and enter the friendship in love - love without designs or expectations.

[Adam]

Mike, just a quick comment to let you know that I'm with you...

[Matthew]

I wish I could say "Yeah, I agree with all of you." Maybe I am still just reserving the right to say "I don't know." Is it okay at this point not to know?

Do I know people in homosexual relationships? Absolutely. Do I love them? Absolutely? Am I ready to endorse the lifestyle? No, I guess I will be honest and say I'm not. Can we learn from people in homosexual relationships? Yeah, of course, if everyone is an image bearer of God then they have the potential to show us more about who God is. But that's not because they are heterosexual, homosexual or whatever, but because they are an image bearer.

I do totally agree with "How we treat people could shape what is true for us." But is how we treat people always mean we endorse how they live, whatever the issue may be? I'm not ready to go there.

Anyways, that's putting myself a little out there on Christmas Eve. Hope you still love me, Mike!!!

[robert]

Love is love.
Hate is hate.
I may be accused of over-simplifiying but I believe it's actually pretty simple if you think about it.