Sodomite weddings at the UMC

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

The pharisees liked to stand lofty and look holy but their hearts were dead because they had no love. They followed the law but were not saved.

If the pharisees truly followed the Law, why would none cast a stone at the woman caught in adultery? Interesting rendition on the pharisees, btw. What if one of the problems with the pharisees was actually thinking their actions and thoughts made them righteous, so they refused to accept what God Himself told them? What if part of their issue was actually their acceptance of each other's sin, because "everybody sins", and they were just relatively better than others--like that tax collector?

 

[☦Marius☦]

If the pharisees truly followed the Law, why would none cast a stone at the woman caught in adultery? Interesting rendition on the pharisees, btw. What if one of the problems with the pharisees was actually thinking their actions and thoughts made them righteous, so they refused to accept what God Himself told them? What if part of their issue was actually their acceptance of each other's sin, because "everybody sins", and they were just relatively better than others--like that tax collector?

Because Christ spoke with authority and they realized they were in err? Dude if you are going to try to take that spin on the NT to suit your argument then go ahead LOL but I don't think you will be able to back it up. The issue with the pharisees was that they followed the law in action, but their hearts did not understand the point of it all. They were righteous sure, but completely cold which Christ condemned. Hence "he who has not sinned cast the first stone"

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

I could be wrong but hasn't the UMC as a denomination been going in that direction for quite a while now? If so, why not just leave the denomination as a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 1 Cor 5:6

You are correct. The UMC has been going downhill for the past several years. They even allowed an unrepentant lesbian to become a bishop not too long ago. To be honest, I've ignored the downward trajectory of my denomination, thinking that things will be fine so long as the church I attend doesn't follow suit. Nonetheless, I'm planning on trying a different church this Sunday. In fact, I've already picked it out and read up on it.

 

[God bless Joshua]

I don't claim homosexuality to not be a sin,

"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." Levi 20 verse 13

 

[☦Marius☦]

If more Christians looked at their own sins instead of constantly focusing on their brothers, then maybe we wouldn't have so many pastors getting caught in sex scandals or fraud.

 

[☦Marius☦]

"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." Levi 20 verse 13

Point? Your verse agreed with my sentence you quoted?

 

[Zoii]

There are numerous parts in the Bible where homosexuality is condemned. For example, in Leviticus 18:22, sodomy is rightfully called an "abomination." And in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, scripture says that sodomites will not inherit the Kingdom of God. To put it another way, active homosexuals who don't repent will suffer eternal agony in the burning, fiery depths of hell.

There are some Christians who unfortunately deal with same-sex attraction, but they never act on their desires and seek the counsel of God for dealing with their immoral lust. They aren't sinning because they aren't committing sodomy despite liking those of the same gender. Most importantly, they keep their feelings to themselves.

However, a grave sin has happened within the United Methodist Church. A male UMC minister married another man! Even worse: his congregation "overwhelming supports" him and his sodomy proclivities! Read about it here: Gay Methodist minister David Meredith, church claim victory The article talks about a UMC committee charging the queer preacher with misconduct.

What has the United Methodist Church come to? Why is a man in deep homosexual sin allowed to preach in the first place? And why on earth does his congregation support him? If I went to a religious service here at my UMC church and our minister announced that he is gay and intends to marry his sodomite lover, it would be my last time ever attending that church. I would promptly find another church to join.

Times change and so do views expressed in the bible

 

[☦Marius☦]

You are correct. The UMC has been going downhill for the past several years. They even allowed an unrepentant lesbian to become a bishop not too long ago. To be honest, I've ignored the downward trajectory of my denomination, thinking that things will be fine so long as the church I attend doesn't follow suit. Nonetheless, I'm planning on trying a different church this Sunday. In fact, I've already picked it out and read up on it.

I am glad you've found a church where the entire administration is glorified, and completely free of sin.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

If more Christians looked at their own sins instead of constantly focusing on their brothers, then maybe we wouldn't have so many pastors getting caught in sex scandals or fraud.

Your post implies two things: 1. that a Christian who criticizes the sinful conduct of others isn't aware of his own sins, and 2. that criticizing the sinful conduct of others causes pastors to get involved in sex scandals or commit fraud, which doesn't make any sense. Please explain your ideas, because they aren't making much sense to me.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

Times change and so do views expressed in the bible

The Word of God is eternal; your cultural relativism isn't.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

I am glad you've found a church where the entire administration is glorified, and completely free of sin.

Hey, can you pass me the straw, man?

 

[☦Marius☦]

Your post implies two things: 1. that a Christian who criticizes the sinful conduct of others isn't aware of his own sins, and 2. that criticizing the sinful conduct of others causes pastors to get involved in sex scandals or commit fraud, which doesn't make any sense. Please explain your ideas, because they aren't making much sense to me.

Hypocrisy is a sin. Pride is a sin. Pastors who attack homosexuals exclusively from the pulpit, but pay no attention to the sins they consider "less bad", are often the ones who end up in some sort of scandal. My point is everyone needs to work on their own salvation more than worrying about others, unless another asks or needs that help.

 

[Zoii]

The Word of God is eternal; your cultural relativism isn't.

No i cant agree. We dont stone people, we eat shellfish, we work the sabbath, women lead in all practices including religous areas... times change regardless of whether we want them to or not

 

[☦Marius☦]

The Word of God is eternal; your cultural relativism isn't.

I agree that the word is eternal, but the way people interpret it is very much based on cultural relativism whether liberal OR conservative.

 

[☦Marius☦]

People seem to forget that cultural relativism works both ways. It can also lead to a legalistic view of the Gospel, which is just as bad as an ultra liberal. Balancing love and morality is something that starts by looking inward first.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

No i cant agree. We dont stone people, we eat shellfish, we work the sabbath, women lead in all practices including religous areas... times change regardless of whether we want them to or not

Do you think that in the future stealing will be an acceptable, alternative life-style that isn't sinful, since we're always evolving with the times? If you don't say "enough is enough," people will be eventually start misusing Bible scripture from the Book of Hosea to promote the idea that prostitution is a good thing and not sinful.

 

[☦Marius☦]

No i cant agree. We dont stone people, we eat shellfish, we work the sabbath, women lead in all practices including religous areas... times change regardless of whether we want them to or not

Much of what you refer to is Jewish law. The reasons we don't perform them is because we are not under Jewish law, not just because of cultural change.

 

[Rescued One]

We live in deeply ungodly times where cultural relativism and liberalism have infected Christians. These renegades scoff at the eternal Word of God and think of scripture as something that "evolves." Which is to say, they pick and choose which verses to follow and not follow.

Why are you a Methodist?

 

[Zoii]

Do you think that in the future stealing will be an acceptable, alternative life-style that isn't sinful, since we're always evolving with the times? If you don't say "enough is enough," people will be eventually start misusing Bible scripture from the Book of Hosea to promote the idea that prostitution is a good thing and not sinful.

Of course. Thats the nature of society's progression. You can scream as loudly as you like but society will evolve. So.... what you think the morals in bible times was so much better then, than now? People crucified for petty crimes, wars on a tribal level with the rape and murder of innocents, girls married at prepubescent age.... life was cheap back then so i refute your argument that society is heading into more sinful ways...... heck less than 100 years ago there was no equality for blacks and asians, women didnt vote, and world wars raged along with genocides. So I dont want a sermon telling me how sinful this generation or society is.... I think we are moving along ok

 

[Zoii]

Much of what you refer to is Jewish law. The reasons we don't perform them is because we are not under Jewish law, not just because of cultural change.

The reason we have moved along and eat prawns if we choose to has nothing to do with me sitting n thinking... oh im not a jew so its cool.... it has everything to do with people thinking that this sort of old out of date biblical laws are nonsense