First Glance

  Willmore D. Eva 

This month we take up the issue of homosexuality. Although there is some significant reflection in one or two of our theme articles on the source and "curability" of homosexuality, our primary focus is on the more general challenge of how to he pastors following Christ in our care of those who are homosexual.

In addressing this question, we must declare a foundational belief that along with some heterosexual behavior, the practice of all homosexual behavior is foreign to God's original design for human sexuality. Sexuality is not only to be experienced and celebrated within the bounds of heterosexual marriage as a beautiful "recreative" divine gift, but is also to be embraced, because of its inherent powers, as a "procreative" gift. It is this foundational procreative capability that homosexuality, by its innate physical design, is clearly unable to achieve and thus to authentically celebrate. This obvious and natural inadequacy in homosexual relationships demonstrates the foreignness of homosexuality to God's will and creative genius, and to what is essential in human sexuality and our very existence.

We believe it is critical to preserve the integrity of God's original design and craft of humanity. We believe also that this same humanity is jaded when one human being steps in to destructively judge the personal life of another. Thus we are contending for a christocentric, biblical, and decisive approach as we care for those with homosexual concerns.

We will not all agree with what we read in this issue, but whatever our thinking, it is always ours to exercise the spirit of Christian forbearance.

This article was published in the November 1996 issue of Ministry magazine, the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association, published by the Review & Herald Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown MD 21740.

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