The Gay Bishop problem

Even if nobody does the right thing, it is still right. And if everybody does the wrong, it’s still wrong. Increase in the gay population does not make homosexuality right ... Bringing homosexuality into the highly sacred office of bishop, is certainly taking things much too far.

The controversy surrounding homosexuality and religion has been here for thousands of years. Biblical history takes us way back to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, recorded in the book of Genesis. In the case of those two cities, the Scriptures indicate that homosexuality had gotten extremely rampant as men “left the natural use of women and burned in their lusts, one towards another, men with men...” (Rom 1:27). This behaviour incurred the wrath of God with such intensity, that He rained fire upon the cities, entirely destroying them. Later, God gave very stringent laws against the practice of homosexuality. In Leviticus 20:13 the Lord states, “If a man lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”

The Lord’s firm position on the issue continues to be reflected in the New Testament. In fact, it appears to be even stronger, in that the New Testament states those who are involved in homosexuality “shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven” (1 Cor 6:9). If God made man and his sexuality, and He declares this, who are we to debate it? I must add however, that primarily, God condemns the sin, not the sinner. But it’s vitally important to take into account that the Lord does put the binding responsibility upon the sinner to “repent and turn from the wicked way” or face the consequences. In the light of such straightforward biblical position on homosexuality, the idea of gay bishops becomes quite a baffling one. Really, it appears to be impossible to reconcile homosexuality and the sacred office of a bishop or minister of the Gospel. The Bible is very clear on the qualifications of a bishop as it pertains to marital status: “The bishop must be the husband of one wife” (1 Tim 3:2). It’s evident therefore that there is no room for homosexuality in the highly sacred call of a bishop or Christian religious leader.

None of us is perfect. We must all acknowledge this. We all have weaknesses and are subject to shortcomings. And surely it’s not within our power to judge another, based upon our own prejudices. But we must surely give due attention to the fact that the Lord has provided us with definite guidelines in His Word, as to rights and wrongs. From this viewpoint, it is not difficult to conclude that the extreme of homosexual practice being mingled with the awesome sanctity of the call and office of bishop, is indeed a serious issue. Being an “ordinary” gay person is bad enough, but to bring this lifestyle into the office of bishop is certainly taking things much too far. And we should note that when God’s anger rose to the point of completely annihilating Sodom and Gomorrah, it was not bishops involved in the ungodly act. It was not even as serious as that. It was merely “ordinary people”. For those who hold special positions of sanctity and divine charge, such as elders and bishops, the Lord says “we carry the greater condemnation” (Jas 3:1). “To whom much is given, much is required” (Lk 12:48).

I have to wonder, though, that in a case such as the latest controversy in which the Rev Gene Robinson who was recently elected Bishop of New Hampshire at the Episcopal General Convention, what’s really the essence of the contention? Before Rev Robinson was elected bishop, he would have held the office of priest (or minister/elder). During this time, he, from all that we now know, had openly lived with a male partner for more than 13 years. From all appearances, there was no objection or protest from any of the voices at the Episcopal Church, which are now fuming big time. What really is the significant difference between being a gay priest/minister/elder and a gay bishop? The office, function, qualifications and sanctity are really all the same. Only the “technical rank” is different. So in truth and in fact, it was no strange thing that the Rev Robinson got the nod at the Convention, for elevation to the bishop rank. Double standards always backfire. What I can tell you is that people of the Episcopal Church who are truly determined to live purely by the Word of God, will hastily migrate to churches which stick with the full Gospel.

While certain churches may pander to the worldly trends and “changing society”, radically compromising the Word of God and moral absolutes, there are those who think otherwise. They know that even if nobody does that which is right, the right thing still remains the right thing. And if everybody does that which is wrong, the wrong is still the wrong. A massive increase in the gay population does not make homosexuality right. Essentially, it only means that there is a more rapid move towards the Sodom and Gomorrah status — and the consequences. All in all, Christians must get it absolutely clear that we are to fully respect, love and care for gays, as we do other people with various hurts and needs. We must introduce them to the love of Christ, for deliverance into a straight and normal life, which so many gay folks continue to enjoy after their born again experience.