Are mainline evangelicals becoming more open to homosexual Christians?

by Philip
(Texas)

Rick Brentlinger Answers -

The move toward accepting gay Christians as part of the body of Christ is clearly observable in the Emergent Church movement and also in many mainline denominations. This move is a good thing for us as gay and lesbian Christians but it also presents some doctrinal and spiritual dangers we need to be aware of.

By the way, even some anti-gay evangelicals are starting to admit that some parts of the Bible long believed to condemn homosexuality really do no such thing, the Sodom story in Genesis 19, for example.

This sometimes grudging acceptance of gays and lesbians presents blessings and problems so we need to exercise Bible-based spiritual discernment. Otherwise we gay Christians leave ourselves open to embracing lots of false doctrine in the process of rejoicing that some churches are now accepting gays and lesbians.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
-1 John 4:1

Emergent Church, aka, Emergent Christianity, aka, Emergence Christianity leaders who tend to be more accepting of gay Christians include:

1. Rob Bell
   
2. Tony Jones
   
3. Doug Pagitt
   
4. Phyllis Tickle
   
5. Bryan McClaren
   
6. Shane Claiborne
   
7. Dallas Willard
   
8. Richard Foster

The problem for gay Christians
who believe the Bible

The problem with the above religious leaders is that the "spirituality" they recommend and the doctrines they teach are radically different from New Testament Biblical Christianity.

They've embraced the false teachings of the Contemplative Spirituality movement which introduces romanticized medieval Catholic monastic practices and New Age meditation into church youth groups and retreats, as a (false) way of growing closer to God.

The "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4) of Emergence christianity may have been God in the flesh (they aren't sure), may have been different than other religious leaders (but probably not according to Emergence teaching), may have died on the cross for our sins (they're not sure about that) but according to Emergence silliness, they are pretty much convinced that Jesus did NOT die a substitutionary death to pay the penalty for our sins so that God's holiness and justice could be satisfied.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and in which you stand;

By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that

(1) Christ died for our sins

(2) according to the scriptures;

(3) And that he was buried,

(4) and that he rose again the third day

(5) according to the scriptures."
-1 Corinthians 15:1-4

For the gospel to be true, the gospel must be "according to the scriptures" and MUST contain the death of Christ for our sins, His burial and His physical, bodily resurrection, according to the scriptures.

If your gospel
doesn't have those points,
its not the gospel

When people substitute their own ideas or the romanticized mysticism of the desert fathers or their New Age opinions instead of preaching what the Bible says, they are preaching a false gospel.

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." -Mark 13:32

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted...

such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..."
-2 Corinthians 11:4, 14, 15

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel...

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." -Galatians 1:6, 9

Christians who follow unscriptural teachings end up being New Age "christians" with a small c, who embrace the false doctrine of Universal Salvation as truth or believe the false teaching that all religions eventually lead to God and heaven. Of course, those beliefs are not genuine Christian beliefs taught in the Bible.

The gospel of Emergence "christianity" is a watered down, New Age, Bible-rejecting counterfeit which is definitely NOT the scriptural gospel which is proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

Emergence christians are able to "pass" as Christians because they use some Christian terminology but they redefine words and doctrines so that they don't mean what they mean in the Bible.

Which denominations are starting
to accept gays and lesbians?

Some mainline denominations are becoming more open to accepting gays and lesbians as members of the body of Christ. That said, many of these mainline denominations have also backed off from believing the Bible.

That means that going to some gay-affirming churches is little different than going to the country club or a positive thinking lecture. There is precious little verse by verse expository teaching of the Bible in most of the gay-welcoming churches.

Denominations which now have some churches or groups in their fellowship which welcome gays and lesbians include:

1. United Methodists
   
2. Presbyterian Church USA
   
3. Episcopal Church
   
4. United Church of Christ
   
5. American Baptists
   
6. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
   
7. United Church of Canada
   
8. Alliance of Christian Churches
   
9. Anglican Church
   
10. Disciples of Christ
    
11. Independent Greek Orthodox Church of the US
    
12. Mennonite Brethren

It is vitally important for gay Christians to believe the Bible. After you get saved, believing the Bible and knowing what the Bible says is foundational to spiritual growth. That's why we offer Free Bible Study printable pdf downloads It is so important to find a doctrinally sound church which preaches and teaches the Bible.

For Links to churches which are accepting and welcoming to GLBT Christians, our Gay Affirming Church page provides links to help you locate a church in your area.

For some people a House Church may be the answer.

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