What is a Bishop? (Homo/Heterosexual/Fema

 

Originally posted by The Article Robinson feels that people who use the Bible to condemn homosexuals fail to understand Scripture. It is called an abomination for a man to lie with another man as with a woman, but, he writes, the Bible also says it is an abomination to eat pork or shellfish, to wear clothing made of two different fibers, or to sow two different types of seed in the same field.

 

Robinson's statement here is so theologically problematic one has to wonder whether it stems from ignorance of the basic nature of the Law in Christian theology or is simply an attempt to justify his behaviour. The first and most obvious criticism of Robinson's assertion is that the dietary laws and other aspects of the Old Covenant are no longer applicable in the New Testament (see Acts 10). The prohibition against homosexual relations is (see Romans 1).

 

The second criticism is a bit more complex than the first, and requires a basic understanding of Christian covenantal theology to grasp. Basically, the purpose of the law is to lead us to Christ; it is a sort of tutor, which convicts us and makes us aware that we can never fulfill it, and consequently can never be justified by our own actions -- enter Christ. With the Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of the God-man, we find the possibility of salvation through union with Christ, who fulfilled the Law. By becoming united with him, in true repentance through Baptism and the partaking of the Eucharistic gifts, we are united with his fulfillment of the Law, and we are, consequently, saved. The problem with Robinson's position is that it precludes seeking union with Christ. He who feels he has no need to repent -- for, indeed, Robinson has rationalized his behaviour and does not believe it to be sinful -- cannot repent. Thus, while the opportunity to atone and become celibate -- which would bring him a crown of glory in place of the shame he now bears -- remains, so long as he refuses to acknowledge the prohibition against the lifestyle he has chosen he precludes the possibility of repentance.

 

-Akolouthos

 

Next on a more general note, just my .02 to share. I personally don't think people are "straight" or they are "gay". I think this is just a "meme". And I hate to use a Dawkings term. Technically the only thing I agree with him about are certain things some Greek scholars in the ancient world already discribed though I had come to the same conclusion on that specific point before really reading in depth of either. In any case, just to give an example. One can find both a man and a woman attractive. But acting upon either or changes the perspective. I don't believe in this notion of "i'm straight so I CAN'T see a man as attractive." And i don't mean attractive as in you want to sleep with them either. So I don't think people are gay or straight. I think people can wait until they are married, I think some people can not or will not, and I think some people commit homosexual acts.

 

But I think the main reason in (Orthodox) Christianity that homosexuality is a sin is first and foremost because you can't marry the same sex. And sex outside of that is considered sinful (for our own good!) and since you can't marry the same sex then yeah. So people can knit pick about homosexuality and what some verse could possibly mean (I had someone argue with me that when Christ was stuck in the side with a spear, it was actually a "poetic" allusion to commiting a homosexual act.) the point is in the end that marriage between a man and a woman is the only one that is found in (Orthodox) Christianity.