Is THIS what Christianity SHOULD be about ...?

[KCKID]

I was just cruising the Internet and came across the below site. I didn't want to devote too much time to it but I became so engrossed in the message that I just had to listen to it in its entirety ...about 80 minutes in total.

Please ...grab yourself a cup of coffee (tulc) and a snack if need be and listen to the message/s of Tony and Peggy Campolo concerning the topic of homosexuality. Both have different perspectives on the issue but BOTH express Christianity like I haven't heard in a long, long time. I urge IAmRedeemed, FloatingAxe, Ishida, and others that are rather 'hardline' on the anti-'gay' side of the discussion to take the time to listen and comprehend the message.

Please.

Dr. Tony Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern College in suburban Philadelphia, is a well-known and highly respected voice in evangelical Christianity today. Dr. Campolo is an ordained Baptist minister, a popular speaker, author of numerous books, and founder of a ministry which reaches out to poor and hurting people worldwide in the name of Jesus.

Dr. Campolo's position on homosexuality is conservative: he believes that the Bible forbids all homosexual activity. However, he does not support attempts to "convert" gays into straights; rather, he advises gay people to pursue celibacy. His position is what some refer to as "Side B."
Peggy Campolo, Dr. Campolo's wife, takes a different view. She supports monogamous, same-sex relationships, and believes that marriages should be recognized in the church for both heterosexual and homosexual couples. Peggy's position is what some refer to as "Side A."

Two committed Christians with two different views - yet they are able to share the same bed each night and respect each other's faith. How do they do it?

Tony and Peggy Campolo have spoken about their divergent opinions on homosexuality to churches and other Christian organizations. Recently they addressed a gathering of The Shepherd Initiative, an organization devoted to encouraging dialogue within the church on this issue. We've been given permission to make this entertaining and enlightening presentation available via the web, so just use the links below to download and listen to Tony and Peggy speak!

http://www.gaychristian.net/campolos.php

 

[stumpjumper]

I like Tony Campolo and he generally has sound Christian advice though I may not agree with everything he says he's a man of charity for sure...

 

[Apollo Celestio]

I can't right now because I have school in the morning, but I'll check it out since you asked. I didn't know I was "hardline" anti-gay though.. lol

 

[KCKID]

I can't right now because I have school in the morning, but I'll check it out since you asked. I didn't know I was "hardline" anti-gay though.. lol

I think you'll appreciate it, Ishida. Maybe you're not "hardline" ...I just grabbed a few names of those who participate regularly on the 'anti-gay team'.

Anyway, the messages of Tony Campolo and wife Peggy are about 72 minutes in duration. It's a very 'listener friendly' 72 minutes, however.

 

[Phinehas2]

Well I agree with Tony Campolo's position and I think his wife's position is gross error. I see also from the OP that Tony Campolo appeals to the Bible authority and his wife says what she thinks.
Now Christianity isnt entirely about this at all, quite the opposite, it isnt about compromise on major issues and this is one of them. One of the main lines of argument of the pro-gays within the church is we must accept differring views, yet as the anti-gays point out, with scriptural justification, we are most definately not to. Nonetheless Tony Campolo is married to his wife they are united according to God's word despite having different opinions.

 

[bubblefish]

WHY? If people don't want to hear your 'advice' why do you continue to push it on them? It will push them away further - Sure, if someone is unsure and wants to talk about the different ideas then you talk about it, but why do many Christians continue to push people further away from Christ by convincing them that they are evil?

 

[FaithLikeARock]

Ishida isn't really hardline. He's a good guy with an opinion.

 

[AetheriusLamia]

Dr. Campolo's position on homosexuality is conservative: he believes that the Bible forbids all homosexual activity. However, he does not support attempts to "convert" gays into straights; rather, he advises gay people to pursue celibacy. His position is ...

... that espoused by the Roman Catholic Church, a very reliable source of authority when people cannot agree over the interpretation of Scripture.

(To be clear, read the section of the Catechism relating to chastity and homosexuality.)

Personally, I've decided to give up caring about this issue. I've done about everything I can. I'm ready to pursue relationships with women, but if one develops with a guy, so be it. We'll see how any relationships I may have turn out. God willing, I'll be dead tomorrow anyway.