Our congregation Various friends, relatives and co-workers

Our nation, military and leaders James and Leon in the Army

EVENTS: Summer Youth Series

June 12 - Sugar Grove (Pepperdine) July 10 - West Houston (Harding)

June 19 - Kingwood (OCU July 17 - First Colony (LCU - Rob Duncan)

June 26 - Huntsville July 24 - Bammel (Lipscomb)

July 31 - Southeast (ACU/Acappella)

"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

A homosexual group called "Soulforce" has been traveling around the country "visiting" various religious and military campuses to discuss discrimination and violence against homosexuals. They were not invited but were going to attempt to discuss and confront those clearly opposed to any "gay rights" agenda. Since they were not invited but just chose nineteen campuses to visited, they were probably looking more for the publicity of reaction than for much dialogue, though dialogue was their stated purpose. The first six refused to let them on campus and organized protests against them. Some from "Soulforce" were arrested. All of this would draw media attention, and as is typical, draw negative press for the opponents.

The seventh campus to be visited was Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene, Texas. According to Royce Money, President of ACU, they received word in January of the impending visit. How would ACU respond to this visit was the question being asked by a number of people. Being the one hundredth anniversary of ACU, this was something that they really didn’t want but "in the ‘salt and light’ business, we do not always get to pick who we encounter in life," Money said in an email. What example should ACU set by this visit? They decided that they would use it as an opportunity to show the love of Christ in the lives of the faculty and student body.

They arrived on a Sunday evening and were warmly greeted, invited into the "Living Room" in the Campus Center building, given name tags (the first they received on their trip), and together with a number of faculty and students, ate a meal together. After dinner, about ten "Soulforce" members and ten faculty members had discussions on various issues including discrimination and Biblical texts. At 9 pm, everyone went to the University Church of Christ for a worship service and were moved by the acappella singing of the student body. The next morning breakfast was served. More discussions ensued during the morning. After lunch, just ACU students were invited into a discussion (no faculty members). Another panel discussion later in the afternoon occurred where one faculty member talked about her struggles and healing from same-sex attractions. They left Tuesday morning for Texas A & M and the cadet corp.

How does one approach sinners? Interestingly in all the debates about "sinners," we fail to grasp the fact that the Holy God came into a sinful and sin filled world to redeem us. When we see Jesus, He is eating with tax collectors and sinners, touching lepers, talking to the outcasts and Gentiles, none of which the religious leaders would be seen doing. Paul made it clear in the text quoted at the beginning that homosexuals would not inherit the kingdom of God, but neither would the greedy and slanderers among others. Then he said, "And that is what some of you were." Powerful words. We know that both Leviticus 18 and Romans 1 condemn homosexual activity and the consequences are extremely serious. We see that in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah though there were more sins involved (see Genesis 19 and Ezekiel 16:44-52). The point is that the message of Jesus is for everyone because God loves all people. We sometimes forget that we while might not be among the really bad and sinful people, we were at one time separated from God by our sins and rescued in Christ.

I think that the approach by ACU was very Christ-like and opened up a line of discussions. Now I don’t know how "Soulforce" will report this, but that really doesn’t matter. Our responsibility is to present Jesus Christ living in us. Some will see it as a pleasant and attractive aroma and others as the stench of death (see 2 Corinthians 2:15-16). People will make there own choices. Sure, some will take this event and say things that were not stated by either side. Paul understood that that would happened by those seeking to get him into trouble (Philippians 1:15-18). Because a secular press or someone else misrepresents us, does that mean we stop spreading the message? We learn to be clearer in our presentation.

Have there been criticisms of ACU because of how they handled it? So far I have only seen a few. Jack Reese, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies at ACU, has received some angry letters and emails, disappointed in how they responded to this (1). One fellow out of Kansas has been particularly negative, appealing to judgment texts in Acts 7 (vs. 51-54) and Titus 1 (vs. 9-11 - (2)). He praised the actions of West Point when the military academy resisted and arrests were made. I find this criticism particularly interesting considering the web site he runs is called "let Jesus lead us." Somehow I think he has missed something. Jesus cleansed the Temple and criticized the religious leaders of the day, not the sinners. And Jesus was straightforward with the sinners, and while eating with them He did not approve or accept their lifestyle but told them to repent or sin no more.

Jesus came where the sinners were. We can sit in our buildings and ignore the "sinners" out there, but how will they see the love of Christ in us? ACU acted in a Christian way without compromising beliefs. It is something we can all learn.

(2) Carroll Osburn, a retired professor at ACU, states in his lectures on Titus that homosexuality was a major problem on the island of Crete to which the letter of Titus was written.

Other sources:

"ACU shows ‘Christ-like love‘ to gay-rights demonstrators," The Christian Chronicle, May 2006, p. 22.

"If not changing minds, then softening hearts?" Houston Chronicle, March 18, 2006.

George B. Mearns