PCT leaders discuss biblical teachings on homosexuality and study of ethics

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

3099 Edition

July 18-24, 2011

Headline News

PCT leaders discuss biblical teachings on homosexuality and study of ethics 

Written by Chen Shang-jen and Chen Nan-jou  

Translated by Lydia Ma

The issue of whether homosexual pastors can be ordained has been subject to 
fierce debate among U.S. churches in the past 40 years, especially among 
mainline churches such as the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, 
and the PCUSA. 

To understand this issue and how current trends are affecting Taiwan, Taiwan 
Church News asked two distinguished pastors to express their understanding on 
this matter. Chen Shang-ren is Acting President of Taiwan Theological College 
and Seminary and an ethics professor, while Chen Nan-jou is a former professor 
of ethics at Yushan Theological College and Seminary and currently pastors a 
church in Taitung.

According to Chen Shang-jen, at the core of this debate are 3 issues in which 
both camps hold vastly different views, they are: Bible interpretation, 
understanding of human nature and sexual desires, and of understanding of 
justice.

Among evangelical and conservative Christians, the Bible’s stand against 
homosexuality is clearly underscored in passages such as Leviticus 18:22, 
20:13; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; and 1 Timothy 1:10.

But many mainline Christians would point out that many laws listed in the Old 
Testament were abandoned by the time the New Testament was penned, such as the 
requirement for Gentiles to be circumcised. In fact, many practices forbidden 
in the 1st century are longer prohibited today, such as the ordination of 
women. If such insurmountable age-old church traditions can be relaxed, there 
is no reason why bias against gay ordination should continue.

Liberal Christian theology also tends to paint human nature in an optimistic 
light and sympathize with human desires. In an age of sexual liberation and 
emphasis on pursuit of happiness at any cost, churches that have embraced 
Liberal Theology also tend to take a laissez-faire approach toward pre-marital 
sex, divorce, infidelity, and abortion. Hence, acceptance of same-sex marriages 
is merely the next step in this slippery slope, Chen Shang-ren said. 

As for differences in the understanding of justice, liberal theology teaches 
that justice means protecting every marginalized person in society and striving 
toward a society where everyone is treated equally. But Chen Shang-ren feels 
that gay rights advocates have taken advantage of equal rights movements such 
as Liberation Theology, Black Theology, and Feminist Theology out of their 
contexts to fulfill their own desires when there is no parallel to be drawn.

In contrast, evangelical Christians believe that all forms of justice must 
conform to God’s will and character first and foremost. Ever since the Fall, no 
one has been able to completely understand God’s will and character. Hence, 
Biblical revelation becomes the prime standard used by Christians in discerning 
right from wrong.

Chen Nan-jou underscored that, just as those opposing gay ordination say their 
position is inspired by the Holy Spirit, those supporting gay ordination also 
say they are led by the Holy Spirit. Hence, extensive dialogue and discussion 
ought to take place before big decisions such as this one are made. He also 
advised churches to keep in mind that they aren’t discussing “issues” , but 
rather, “real people with names and faces – brothers and sisters”.

He quoted a gay Christian friend who said, “it’s reasonable for churches to 
consider abilities, academic requisites, and moral values when deciding whether 
or not to ordain a pastor. But to consider skin color, gender, sexual 
orientation, or whether a person is in a same-sex relationship as criteria for 
refusing ordination, isn’t that discrimination? I’d like to know what’s wrong 
about a couple who love and respect each other, and have an intimate sexual 
relationship? How does that run against good moral values?” 

This friend underscored that, at the end of the day, churches should use the 
same moral criteria to judge heterosexual couples and homosexual couples. 
Commenting of the recent PCUSA decision (10-A), another friend of Chen Nan-jou 
who is a gay Christian and church elder said he hoped for the day when churches 
wouldn’t need a church law to tell them what to do about gay ordination.”