Hello Laura,

I hope that you've had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for responding to my email(s). I understand what you've said, but still can't align with it. I still have a few more questions that I'd like you to consider.

>I dont think there will ever be real common ground in this area because
>I too believe I am living my life by the principles in the bible. A
>saying among us liberals is that we dont take the bible literally, we
>take it seriously - I am just telling you that so you can understand how
>serious we take OUR interpretation of the bible.
>

I can see areas where people may interpret parts of the Bible differently. For example, whether a church has communion weekly or once a quarter, views on baptism, spiritual gifts, drinking, etc. But, are there absolutes in life? And, if so, where do you find them? If we don't say the Bible is THE standard, aren't we just governed by what mankind has accepted? That changes all the time, and seldom, if ever, for the better. That would be a very slippery slope.

Taking the Bible serious is not the issue. Taking the Bible as THE standard is. To do my job, I have several reference books that are necessary. I take them seriously. However, the Bible is on a totally different plane in my life. It is THE book, THE Word of God, not just another good book.

>I can say that I am at peace with my understanding of the risen Christ
>and my faith. I have a peace that passes understand. I have turned my
>will and my life over to the care of God. I am doing what I am called
>to do. I serve God, I do this out of love for my fellow human beings.
>My husband supports me financially, this is my service to God.
>

Pardon me for asking again, but how can you have this peace? On what is it based? It's got to be based on your belief of what is written in the Bible, right? I don't see how one can be sure of salvation, without believing that the Bible is without error (not even one). In short, who makes the policy of what's in and what's out? Does it ever change? I believe that you have accepted Christ as your Savior and you do have peace of that acceptance. The source of that peace is the same as mine - God's revelation through His written Word. However, if I didn't think His word was totally without error, I don't believe I could have the peace.

> My mission is to have people find faith in God and Jesus Christ, no
>matter what their orientation. And if I am wrong, I have lost nothing
>either, but have gained a lot of friends, and hopefully brought people
>to an understanding of a compassionate God. I believe that gays and
>lesbians are turning AWAY from God in droves because the mainstream and
>evangelical church condemn them, rather than accept them as Children of
>God.
>

A noble mission. My mission is the same. I long for all people to find faith in Jesus Christ. What I find interesting is that you're pointing people to a compassionate God. Many descriptions are attributed to God in the Bible. Some are: compassionate and gracious God, Holy One, righteous judge, jealous, him who is able to keep you from falling, our refuge and strength, as well as about hundreds more. My point is why is it just the compassion of God that we want others to come to know? We can't put God in a box. God is God - He's Holy and far above anything we can comprehend.

Jonathan Edward's sermon was "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". How might his sermon have differed had it been "Sinners in the Hands of a Compassionate God"? One title has people turning from their ways in order to approach God righteously (as righteous as we can get). The second has people coming to God - as they are (which is right) and staying that way (which is wrong).

Where do you draw the line? What about the murderers that feel the church is condemning them? What about the child molesters? What about the thiefs? What about the spouse abusers? What about those addicted to pornography? What about the adulterers? What about the liars? What about the gossips? What about the polygamist? Should any of these people have to turn from their ways? Surely, we can agree that these are not lifestyles that God appreciates. Or do you think that God will accept those that continue in these lifestyles? If so, where does repentance fall into your Christian vocabulary? Should these people change?

I believe that people need to reach out to gays and lesbians. What they need to know is that the sin God hates, the sinner God loves. We, as Christians, need to be able to separate the two. I would agree that the mainstream and evangelical church does tend to condemn them, which is wrong. However, we, you and I, need to help show others that God wants us to live holy lives. Looking for loopholes in Scripture does not qualify as holy living.

Gaining friends is another noble effort, but I would contend that we should be more concerned with our relationship with God than acquiring friends. As I said in my last note, - I guess my question is "What does it mean to love your brother?" If I truly love someone, I want to tell them the truth. If I know otherwise and don't tell them, do I really have a friend. Are they mine or am I theirs? I don't think so.

In closing, I pray that you will seek God on this issue. I do believe that you are much more able to reach gays and lesbians than I. But, I would pray that you would be able to help people out of those lifestyles and into a lifestyle that gives honor and glory to God. That has to be our highest priority. In doing so, you will truly be blessed with friends, while giving honor and glory to your Father in heaven as well.

In Christ,
Don

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