1.

Homosexuality
A. Initial Clarifications
a. b. c. a. b. c. Recent History Trend in Public Opinion Key Issues re The Same-Sex Debate Origins, Pronunciation and Usage Complementary: The Biblical Design Androgyny / Unisex / Ambigender / Polygender: A Popular View The Great Sex Charade: Sexuality as Indicator of Intimacy

d.

e.

B. Models of Sexuality

C. The Nature of Homosexuality a. An Identity, A Behaviour or An Inclination?

b. Spectrum of Views on Orientation and Behaviour c. Causation: Gay Genes? Nature v. Nurture: The Scientific Evidence d. Other Unsupported Claims e. The Human Desire for Intimacy: Has authentic Intimacy always to be related to Sex? Bonding in Music and The Arts f. Grim Facts about Homosexual Practice Higher prevalence of promiscuity: Sexual health: Myth of A Normal Healthy Gay Lifestyle Staggeringly High Risk of HIV Mental health: intrinsically insecure, depressive and suicidal Reduced life expectancy a. History of A Western Cultural Revolution The Emergence of Gay Awareness Genesis of Stonewall The AIDS Epidemic Gay Pride Carnivals / Festivals Democracy Cut from Its Judeo-Christian Roots Caves in to: The Goal of The Gay Agenda The Present Reality: A Social Revolution The Planned Stratagem: A Strategy to Change Attitudes Transforming Societys Values and Norms Blueprint for Revolution The Initial Strategy: Overhauling of Straight America The Strategy Developed: Eight Graduated Tactics Three Phases of the Gay Campaign. ! Phase 1: Desensitization. ! Phase 2: Exaction Pricing, jamming (or Psychological Terrorism). ! Phase 3: Conversion.

f.

g.

D. Recent History: The Politics of Homosexuality

h. a. b.

A Clever Marketing Strategy: The Use of Spin Positive Rebranding of Homosexuals (e,g Gay less offensive!) Linguistic Manipulation (e.g. Marriage redefined) Marketing Strategy - 4 Ps: Product, Price, Place, Promotion Gay Lobby Tactics Subterfuge: Subversion of Truth by Substituting Propaganda Over-egging The Scientific Evidence Phony Comparison with Racial Discrimination Influencing The Media Creative Arts Role in Challenging Traditional Values Indoctrination in The Schools Consequences of The Revolution: The New Intolerance Reversal Societal Approval in The Public Domain Intolerance Towards Traditionalists Pressure to Moderate Personal Beliefs and Conform Totalitarian Belligerence of Political Correctness. Church under attack from gay protest groups. Hounding of Traditionalists Professional Pressure on Therapy Research and Practice Pressure to Ban Reparative Therapy Societys Slippery Slope The Progression of the Social Status of Homosexuality Incremental Steps Gay Lobbyists Goal: Normalisation of Homosexuality. False Assurances of A Soft Revolution. Western Culture Shift Now Pedophiles Follow Gay Tactics UK Governments association with the LBGT lobby. Plausibility of Same Sex Behaviour The Chief arguments Summarised For and Against Approval Liberties Threatened: Injustice in Governmental Decision-Making Shutting Down Opposition to The Gay Agenda Civil and Religious Liberties at Risk Potential Areas of Conflict Traditionalist Response to Homosexual Behaviour Discrimination: Who? How? Why? Where? What? When? Discrimination a neutral concept Discrimination and Political Correctness. The Morality (or Otherwise) of Homosexual Practice

E. Issues Relating to Gay Rights Agenda

b.

c.

c. d. e.

f.

2. Same Sex Relationships and Marriage

A. Marriage and Society
a. Understandings of Marriage Same-sex marriage Conjugal marriage ! Its Unchangeable Nature ! Marriage The Seedbed of Society b. The Family As The Stabilizing Factors of Marriage Marriage and Familys Fixed Natural Purpose to Raise Children for Society. Families The Building Blocks of Society c. Altering The Significance of Marriage Redefinition: Making Words Mean What You Want Redefinition has no logical stopping point. Category Changes When Same Sex Relationships Are Equated With Marriage Category Confusions: Equality and Equivalence. d. Some Misconceptions e. The Goal of Gay Lobbyists: Elimination of The Institution of Marriage

Love is the same; the institution should be the same. (Political) Marriage is always evolving. Thereve been myriad changes. (Evolutionary) SSM will strengthen marriage. (Naive) SSM wont diminish my marriage. (Red Herring!)

B. A Biblical View of Marriage

a. The Purpose of Marriage Companionship Sexual bonding Children Humanity Formed in The Image of God (Biblical View) The Nature and Strengths of Traditional Marriage (Biblical View) Marriage as a Covenant Arguments about Rights, Happiness, Trends and The Institution of Marriage Homosexuals have a universal right to marry.(Humanist) A Right To a Life-long, Faithful, Intimate Relationship with Another (Romantic) Arguments about Toleration Depriving gays the right to marry is as immoral as racism. (Historical) Those who would exclude gays and lesbians are homophobic (Dogmatic) Arguments about Happiness If two people want to be happy in marriage, why stop them?(Hedonistic) Arguments about Trends The younger generation is all for accepting homosexuals. (Sociological). In recent polls a majority approve of same sex marriage. (Democrat Arguments about The Institution of Marriage

D. Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage a. An Empty Pretence b. Rights (Entitlements) distinct from Right (As Opposed to Wrong) Distinguish: Right and Wrong: what is true, honest and good. Right and Proper: what is just and equitable. Human Rights: moral or legal entitlements. c. Confusions and Inconsistencies d. Why Complementarity Matters e. The Good of Traditional Marriage Undermined: Archbishop of Canterburys objections to SSM f. Against Nature and Revelation: A Catholic Defense of Marriage g. Politics: An English Objection A Scottish Objection h. A Liberal Case Against Gay Marriage Divine Design v. Social Construct Liberationist or Post-Modern View of Marriage Traditional Christian View of Marriage Later Modifications The Notion of The Priority of Happiness Marriage as mutual support between two sexual partners. Public Celebration of Gay Marriage Imposes on Traditionalists.

b. c. d.
e.

E. Consequences of Same-Sex Marriage

a. b. c. d. e. f. Undermines Marital Responsibilities Undermines The Family Makes Marriage Available to All - Polyamory The Next frontier? Desires of Adults Trump Needs of Children? Leads to A Genderless Society Provides Poorer Models of Marriage For Those who Oppose It Injustices and Inequalities Objects of Totalitarian Intolerance Some Employments Threatened Objects of State-sponsored Discrimination Pressure on The Monarchy Whos Triumphant? Gay Awards in The Palace of Westminster Trivialisation of an Important Issue

C. Arguments For Same-Sex Marriage

a.

b.

c. d.

F. Constitutional and Political Issues

a. b. c.

e.

3. Homosexuality and The Bible

A. Biblical Authority
a. b. c. Gods Authority and The Role of Scripture Shift from The Written Word of God to The Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ The Affect of Our attitude to Gods Word upon Our View of Homosexuality

B. Biblical Interpretation a. Crucial Tenets of Hermeneutics Understand The Literary Genre Employed Note the Literal Context Note the Cultural Context View The Big Picture b. Skewed Hermeneutics: OT o Old Interpretations Modified In The Light of Experience o Laws Adapt To Changing Times. o How Relevant Are Old Testament Texts? o Anti-homosexual laws merely about national identity (being different). o Arent Traditionalists Being Selective about OT Texts Anyway? NT & Jesus o Privileging One Theme of Scripture o The compass of Jesus and a trajectory of Scripture that trumps proof texts. o Slavery: The Trajectory of Scripture Against It Encourages a Change of Attitude. o The Silence of Jesus Loving, Committed, Long-term SS Relationships: How Relevant Is The Bible Evidence? o The Bible is only against bad (promiscuous) sex, not good (committed) sex. o The Bible does not address the contemporary issue of cohabiting faithful gays. o David and Jonathan exhibited a committed consensual homosexual relationship. o Positive Biblical Values (love, justice, etc) trump more negative texts. Does the Bible really say what we think it does? o Extreme exegesis justifying orgies!

C. The Biblical Evidence a. The Key Texts 1 Thessalonians 4:3-10 How should we behave today? (Genre: Exhortation) Genesis 1 & 2 What did God create? (Genre: Creation Story) Genesis 19 & Judges 19 What decadent behaviour resulted from godlessness? (Genre: Narrative) Leviticus 18 & 20 What is the moral law on sexual practice? (Genre: Law) Romans 1:24-27 Why did Paul condemn same sex acts? (Genre: Apologetic) Matthew 19:3-8 What would Jesus say? (Genre: Gospel Narrative: Teaching) John 8:3-11 What would Jesus do? (Genre: Gospel Narrative: Action) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 How serious is sexual immorality? (Genre: Letter: Teaching) Galatians 5:19-21 What are the eternal consequences of sexual immorality (and other fleshly behaviour)? (Genre: Letter: Exhortation) 1 Timothy 1:4b-11 What role does the Law play in the teaching associated in the Gospel? (Genre: Letter: Teaching) 1 Thessalonians 4:3-10 How should we behave today? (Genre: Exhortation) b. Pauls Teaching in Romans His categories: Married and Unmarried (not homosexual and Heterosexual!) Suppression of truth > idolatry > decadent behaviour Idolatry involves role-reversal We are all born with a tendency to sin c. The Seriousness of Homosexual Sin d. Conclusions Regarding Biblical Teaching Human sexuality: a story of warped desires being disciplined and re-ordered. The biblical proscription of same-sex intercourse is absolute, pervasive and severe. !

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4. Homosexuality and The Church

A. The Issues At Stake
a. Whats It All About? A question of authority: Where does authority lie in the church? Background: The Kirks mixed economy The Church decides what is and what is not the Word of God. Three Clear Positions o Tolerating homosexual lifestyles o Preach against the sin of homosexuality o Fight for justice on behalf of the oppressed gay minority. A More Nuanced Approach b. The Traditionalist Stance Reason for Opposing Homosexual Behaviour Who Wants The New Morality Anyway? Homophobic Charge?

C. Same Sex Conundrum: Embracing Truth While Practicing Grace

Balance Grace and Truth: Beware The Error of: The Sadducees (grace without truth) The Pharisees (truth without grace) b. Distinguish the different contexts in which homosexuality is experienced 1. Unwanted same-sex attraction 2. Tolerated same-sex practice of others all are welcome (in an inclusive church) 3. Celebrated same-sex practice, but within a loving faithful committed relationship. 4. Vociferous campaigning of gay activists. 5. Promiscuous same-sex practice. c. Diverse Attitudes to Those with SS attraction (Ex-Gay Christians Testimony): 1. Affirming a false identity 2. Judging a sinful behaviour 3. Inviting to freedom in Jesus a.

B. Arguments For Same-Sex Practice

a. Arguments From Observation and Experience Negativism Alienates Youth and Undermines Mission Inclusive Church: Stigma Makes Church Seem Unwelcoming to Homosexuals Experience and Good Gay Relationships Revisionists Take Note! How Feasible is Monogamy for Gay Men? b. Arguments From Theology Jesus The Word and Love Jesus the Living Word (rather than an ancient book, the Bible!) So what would Jesus say today? Jesus taught the primacy of love. Aren!t we too judgemental and not loving enough? A Gospel of (Cheap) Grace. God accepts you just as you are! Our Presuppositions affect Our Interpretation of Scriptures. Re-interpretations of Texts Charges of Inconsistency against The Traditionalist Opposition to Homosexual Practice The Churchs Change of Mind on Slavery and Other Issues The Spirit Leading Towards Acceptance of SS Unions SSM Has Equal Covenantal Authority with Heterosexual Marriage. c. Arguments From Science Scripture and Scientific Progress A disease model of homosexuality is condescending to gays.

D. Church Membership of Those in Same-Sex Relationships

a. Accommodation or Compromise? Accommodation Arguments: Even if we think homosexual practice is a sin, o Is this really an issue worth dividing the church over? o There are more important things about which to be concerned. o Doesnt love and commitment at least moderate the severity of homosexual practice? Compromise: look faithful (its a sin) but tolerate practice (no worse than other sins). b. The Question of Homosexual Adherents Welcome to attend only? Pro-active effort to minister to those with SSA c. The Question of Homosexual Members The Church is as inclusive as other institutions in society Why do homosexuals find church such a dangerous place? Two views on membership Critique of Arguments for Granting Membership (Gagnon) Having a stable relationship justifies homosexual practice. The church is not a citadel of the perfect but a hospital for sinners Homosexual intercourse is not as bad as some other sins. Many practicing gay Christians exhibit the Spirit in their lives. Excommunicating practising homosexual persons is impractical and unenforceable.