[Linux4christians] OOT: My stand on Gay/Lesbian

[Peter B. Steiger]

On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 1:58 PM, Billy F. Staggs <bstaggs at staggs.net> wrote:

> Yes it is true enough that "malakos" does technically mean "soft" , but my
> understanding (perhaps erroneously) is that it is an idiom implying
> homosexually or at least overly feminine behavior from a man that is
> associated with homosexuals (rightly or wrongly).  Much the same as someone
> speaking English might say, "he is a little limp in the wrist, is you know
> what I mean" or "he is a pansy".  We wouldn't really mean that the guy has
> weak wrist or that he somehow resembles a flower.  We could most assuredly
> be inferring that he is a homosexual.  And though I may well be wrong I am
> at least in good company, as several major Greek scholars (of who I am
> admittedly not one) seem to believe it warrants being translated alone those
> lines :
>

>
 Oh, absolutely it is possible that the various translations ("effeminate"
or "homosexual") are correct; I'm just saying it's not as clear-cut as the
more explicit verses.

Just so I can correctly understand your position, are you saying that being
> "soft" in the literal sense is a sin? Could you elaborate on your
> interpretation please?
>

It's not really a position per se, so much as a shadow of a doubt.  If I
were to really cling to this interpretation, I'd lump it in with Jesus'
numerous other complaints leveled against the upper class.  Using the
"malakos" of "a man in fine clothing" as a guide, you could read this as
another example of how difficult it is for the rich -- i.e., soft in the
sense of pampered -- to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  But honestly, I don't
dwell on it.  I figure if I can manage the two greatest commandments even
most of the time, the rest will take care of themselves.

As for the funeral protest, that's just plan wrong, but you do raise some
> interesting thoughts on how we as Christian should deal with this.....  I
> live in a small rural town and my exposure to this has been very limited.  I
> have only dealt with it on two occasions in my 25 years as a Christian so I
> certainly have little experience to draw from.  I will admit to being
> somewhat homophobic, and I feel I better work on this as I will no doubt be
> seeing more of this in the future.
>
>

For what it's worth, I'm right there with you.  I didn't bring up the above
contrarian ideas to justify my own, or a friend's, behavior; I too carry the
aversion to homosexuality built in by society and upbringing.  What got me
started on my private campaign to get people to think about it differently
was seeing how the very subject evokes expressions of hate that I never
thought possible in my Christian brothers and sisters.  Is it possible for
an unrepentant homosexual to love the Lord and be a saved Christian?  I sure
hope so, otherwise churches full of unrepentant drunks, gossips, people who
cut corners on their income taxes, people who are envious or resentful etc.
etc. etc. are going to be mighty disappointed when they are all "left
behind" come the Rapture.  There were (probably still are) attitudes and
behaviors in my life that took me DECADES to even acknowledge were sinful,
and on any number of occasions I could very well have died before admitting
they were sins.

So how can we uphold our values and refuse to condone such behavior, while
at the same time not condemning those who practice it?  That's a tougher
line to draw.  Refuse to participate in activities which promote the
behavior, do not permit blatant offenders to hold positions of authority or
teach -- as long as the same standards apply to all prohibited behavior,
right?  I wouldn't want a person who goes out every night getting blind
drunk and joking about it teaching my kids in Sunday School either -- or a
guy who dumped his wife for a younger model, or a prostitute, etc.  But it's
a far cry from "Bob, I love you but I can't go to the pride rally with you
and here's why" to "Bob, you're a satan-worshipping pervert and you are
going to burn in hell for your disgusting lifestyle".

Anyway, I don't claim to have all the answers... I'm making this up as I go
along :-)

Shalom,
*PBS*
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