![jesus and john wayne author jesus and john wayne author](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Qe0AAOSwcm5fTnAe/s-l300.jpg)
Now, a lesser discernment ministry would hold back. But I’m going to do so in conversation & communion with my LGBTQ sisters & brothers in Christ. We can spend our lives asking what right belief & obedient discipleship looks like in all these areas, & we should. Agreed! So much so that I refuse to use views on gender, sexuality, atonement theory, baptism, spiritual gifts and the like as a way to preemptively exclude believers from fellowship in the Body of Christ. Burk points to I Cor 15:1-5 as the heart of the gospel. It’s possible hold evangelical theological views but denounce Christian nationalism.” It’s possible to believe in male headship but refuse to link masculine “protection” to American militarism. It’s possible to hold “traditional” vie w s on sexuality but hold them very differently. “ So, how do I treat “homosexuality” in J&JW? The fact that there’s a strong historical/theological tradition of Chrs denouncing same-sex relationships (there are also intriguing counterexamples) does not in & of itself explain Anita Bryant, anti-ERA, or seeing the “homosexual menace” as a threat to America. I’m doing this all in community, w/ scholars, pastors, theologians, & LGBTQ+ Chrs, as part of my local church, as part of an officially sanctioned denominational process, and in an official capacity as a representative of my university.” I’ve read several but have several more to read, and am doing so in conversation w/ “traditional” perspectives. Since that time, I’ve encountered compelling theological & historical arguments that challenge or complicate traditional approaches to this issue. (Esp among my Dutch profs who’d endured Nazi occupation.) My own strand of Reformed thinking comes w/ a deep respect for pluralism & rejection of Christian nationalism. This wasn’t because I was currying favor with progressives. As far back as I can remember, though, I never believed that a theological view on this matter should dictate government policy in a way that abridges fundamental civil rights. I grew up holding the “traditional” view, that same-sex sexual relationships were sinful. I’m participating, but as a historian, not a theologian. “Do I personally affirm “the church’s teaching that homosexuality is sinful?” Which church? My own church (local & denomination) is actively reexamining this issue in light of tradition, interpretation, history, & science. Rather than respond “yes” or “no” and despite ragging on him earlier for taking too long to respond to, she tweeted that she was out shopping at IKEA, and that she “Will get back to this when I can.” 12 hours later she has emerged with an article where she very much comes out in support of LGBTQisms, writing: