Where the Spirit Leads: The Evolving Views of United Methodists on Homosexuality

Rating:
Summary: Where the Spirit leads
Review: 1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

This review is in response to the issue this book raises in advocating the acceptance and promotion of open sin into the church. When professing Christians depart from the truth and seek to elevate those living in open sin into a position of authority, then it suddenly becomes a serious issue that needs to be responded to. In the quest for truth, one can either turn to man's opinions, or to the source itself: God's own Word.

The church was warned early on about the rise of this kind of anti-Scriptural theology. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

And also in 1 Timothy 4:2 he writes, "1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

In 2 Timothy 3:4-5, Paul warns Timothy of those who are, "4 ...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Paul, writing to Titus in Titus 1:16 said, "16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus said, "15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Are those who call themselves Christians, who are living in open sin, bringing forth 'evil fruit'? By continuing in open sin and thus setting an example for others to follow, are they doing what Jesus would call the 'will of my Father which is in heaven'?

Galatians 5:7-10, "7 ... who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 ... he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be."

2 Peter 2 says, "1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

"14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"

"17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

How can it be any more plainly stated? Who are the "wolves in sheep's clothing" and the "false prophets"? How can they subtly gain entrance into the Church? By simply turning people away from the authority of the Word to the vain opinions of fallible men. Much of what they say is dressed in religious sounding terms.

Not everyone who claims to be speaking by the leading of the Holy Spirit is speaking by the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is why we are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to "Prove [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] all things; hold tight that which is good", and in 1 John 4:1 to "Test [examine, scrutinize, verify] the spirits (to see) whether they are of God..." After comparing the liberal theology espoused in the pages of this book to the clear commandments in the Bible, we clearly see the two cannot be reconciled. So when man says one thing and God says another, who are we to believe?

Romans 3:4 answers, "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Rating:
Summary: Proving all things
Review: Despite some of this book's expressed opinions to the contrary, what instructions does the Bible give regarding those who should be in a position of leadership and authority in the Church? With so many differing opinions, how do we know what to believe?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 2:15 says to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

1 Thessalonians 5:21 says to "Prove [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] all things; hold fast that which is good."

In Acts 17:11, the Apostle Luke wrote about the noble Bereans: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

So, what does God's Word have to say about homosexuals/lesbians in the pulpit?

In 1 Timothy 3 (see Titus 1:5-16 as well), Paul instructed Timothy about those who should hold the office of a bishop or deacon: 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour...

10 And let these [deacons] also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

So the bishops and the deacons (those who are in charge) must be "blameless" and of "good behaviour". They must set an example for others to follow. Would God call abominable sin (Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 20:13) "good behaviour" and those that commit such acts "blameless?" Should we also arbitrarily promote the idea of drunkards, fornicators, adulterers, extortioners, and pagan religions in the Church pulpit as well, despite God's strongly expressed will and commandments to the contrary?

Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, are given to the church for the 'perfecting of the saints' (v.12), among other good things.

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 5 says: 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person...hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Reprove, means 'to rebuke' or 'to correct', not 'to promote, partake and fellowship with'. Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Titus 1 says: 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers... 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not...

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

In Revelation 2:18-23, we read how the church of Thyatira had allowed an adulterous woman named Jezebel to teach in the church. As a result of her influence, we read the Lord's servants were seduced into committing fornication and idolatry. Jesus rebuked this church and warned that failure to repent would result in judgment. There is hope though. Jesus gave even this false teacher space to repent of her deeds.

2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (turning away from sin...a change of mind). Unfortunately, many will reject God's Word, choosing rather to stubbornly remain willfully ignorant, continuing on in their sin. There will be no hope for them in the Day of Judgment. Hebrews 9:7 says it is given unto men once to die, and after that the Judgment. Jesus said in John 14:28 that in the last day, people will be judged by the Word which He has spoken. Therefore, our emphasis should be on His Word, as opposed to the fallible opinions of men.

Ministers in the pulpit teach not only by word, but by deed. They are an example to others. If I call myself a minister of the Lord, and condone living in open sin, this sends a strong message to weak believers. They would become emboldened to go out and sin, and if continued in, would eventually perish. Jesus said in Matthew 18:26/Mark 9:42/Luke 17:2 that it would be better for a millstone to be tied around a person's neck and them flung into the sea, than for them to offend [literally meaning to 'cause to stumble'] someone. Are these matters left up to opinion? Do vain words of fallible men outweigh the Word of God? Sadly they will be held accountable for not only their own actions, but the influence they had on others on the Day of Judgment, unless they repent.

I strongly urge the reader to search the scriptures daily! See if the opinions and interpretations you read and hear from others line up with all of the Word of God. And finally, we should follow the instructions written in Romans 3:4, "..let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Rating:
Summary: Best book ever written on this subject
Review: James Wood has written the definitive book for our time showing how the homosexuality debate within the mainline churches (specifically the United Methodist Church) exemplifies how the churches have always interpreted the biblical witness within the surrounding culture's ethical and moral understandings. Wood shows how a person can be both a committed Biblical believer and understand "the role of culture in mediating God's revelation." Wood's sociological-organizational-church polity understanding of the issues is must reading for anyone who wants a specific vision of how the mainline churches can live in unity and avoid schism during this crisis. The depth of understanding and the wealth of specific information contained in these 144 pages is astounding.