July 18-24, 2011
Headline News
PCT leaders discuss biblical teachings on homosexuality and ethics
Written by Chen Shang-jen and Chen Nan-jou
Translated and summarized by Lydia Ma
The issue of whether homosexual pastors can be ordained has been subject to fierce debate among U.S. churches in the past 40 years, especially among mainline churches such as the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, and the PCUSA.
To understand this issue and how current trends are affecting Taiwan, Taiwan Church News asked two distinguished pastors to express their understanding on this matter. Chen Shang-ren is Acting President of Taiwan Theological College and Seminary and an ethics professor, while Chen Nan-jou is a former professor of ethics at Yushan Theological College and Seminary and currently pastors a church in Taitung.
According to Chen Shang-jen, at the core of this debate are 3 issues in which both camps hold vastly different views, they are: Bible interpretation, understanding of human nature and sexual desires, and of understanding of justice.
Among evangelical and conservative Christians, the Bible’s stand against homosexuality is clearly underscored in passages such as Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; and 1 Timothy 1:10.
But many mainline Christians would point out that many laws listed in the Old Testament were abandoned by the time the New Testament was penned, such as the requirement for Gentiles to be circumcised. In fact, many practices forbidden in the 1st century are longer prohibited today, such as the ordination of women. If such insurmountable age-old church traditions can be relaxed, there is no reason why bias against gay ordination should continue.
Liberal Christian theology also tends to paint human nature in an optimistic light and sympathize with human desires. In an age of sexual liberation and emphasis on pursuit of happiness at any cost, churches that have embraced Liberal Theology also tend to take a laissez-faire approach toward pre-marital sex, divorce, infidelity, and abortion. Hence, acceptance of same-sex marriages is merely the next step in this slippery slope, Chen Shang-ren said.
As for differences in the understanding of justice, liberal theology teaches that justice means protecting every marginalized person in society and striving toward a society where everyone is treated equally. But Chen Shang-ren feels that gay rights advocates have taken advantage of equal rights movements such as Liberation Theology, Black Theology, and Feminist Theology out of their contexts to fulfill their own desires when there is no parallel to be drawn.
In contrast, evangelical Christians believe that all forms of justice must conform to God’s will and character first and foremost. Ever since the Fall, no one has been able to completely understand God’s will and character. Hence, Biblical revelation becomes the prime standard used by Christians in discerning right from wrong.
Chen Nan-jou underscored that, just as those opposing gay ordination say their position is inspired by the Holy Spirit, those supporting gay ordination also say they are led by the Holy Spirit. Hence, extensive dialogue and discussion ought to take place before big decisions such as this one are made. He also advised churches to keep in mind that they aren’t discussing “issues” , but rather, “real people with names and faces – brothers and sisters”.
He quoted a gay Christian friend who said, “it’s reasonable for churches to consider abilities, academic requisites, and moral values when deciding whether or not to ordain a pastor. But to consider skin color, gender, sexual orientation, or whether a person is in a same-sex relationship as criteria for refusing ordination, isn’t that discrimination? I’d like to know what’s wrong about a couple who love and respect each other, and have an intimate sexual relationship? How does that run against good moral values?”
This friend underscored that, at the end of the day, churches should use the same moral criteria to judge heterosexual couples and homosexual couples. Commenting of the recent PCUSA decision (10-A), another friend of Chen Nan-jou who is a gay Christian and church elder said he hoped for the day when churches wouldn’t need a church law to tell them what to do about gay ordination.”
