EPISCOPAL DENOMINATION APOLOGIZES TO HOMOSEXUALS

EPISCOPAL DENOMINATION APOLOGIZES TO HOMOSEXUALS

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August 16, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - During its triennial General Convention in Philadelphia in July, the Episcopal Church in America apologized to gays and lesbians "for years of rejection and maltreatment by the church."

The Convention also voted to make it mandatory that dioceses [ecclesiastical territories ruled by a bishop] ordain female priests. In 1976 the Episcopal Church approved ordination of women, but it allowed bishops to be exempt from the practice. As of 1997, four of the denomination’s 113 dioceses still refuse to ordain women. They are now required to do so.

The Convention also issued a directive for a theological study of "same-sex unions," referring to homosexual relationships.

We have done our own theological study of "same-sex unions." The Bible has a lot to say on the subject, in fact. While it is true that there are many sins other than homosexuality and all sin is wicked before God, and while it is true that any sin can be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Bible does not say that all sin is the same in its effect in this world. God did not pour out fire and brimstone upon Sodom because of its jealousy or covetousness or lack of hospitality. He did not pour out fire and brimstone upon Sodom even because of its adultery. It was specifically because of its homosexuality (Genesis 19; Jude 7). Though all moral sins are evil in God's eye, homosexuality is especially corrupt because it is a sin against nature itself. It destroys the very fabric of society, which is the family as defined biblically--a man and a woman united in holy matrimony rearing children to fear God and to be productive citizens. Homosexuality is to "change the natural use into that which is against nature" (Romans 1:26). In Romans chapter one, homosexuality is called "vile affections" (v. 26), "against nature" (v. 26), "unseemly" (v. 27), "a reprobate mind" (v. 28), "not convenient" (v. 28).

That is our theological study on "same-sex unions." We commend it to our Episcopalian neighbors. Homosexuality is a grave sin against God and man, and it can be forgiven through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).