Representatives
of the United Methodist Church (UMC) met in St. Louis recently and voted on
whether or not to continue to oppose same-sex marriage and gay clergy or to
change the current policy and affirm and accept these practices in their congregations.
The official rules of the UMC currently forbid same-sex marriages and ordaining
of gays. According to an online newspaper report many Methodists hoped that the
church would amend those rules at the recent meeting of more than 800 "clergy"
and lay leaders from around the world (washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/02/26/religion
"United Methodist Church votes to maintain its opposition to same-sex
marriage, gay clergy"). But when the vote was taken and the dust
finally settled, 53 percent voted in favor of upholding the church’s
traditional view of sexuality – and to punish those Methodist ministers and
officials who perform same-sex marriages and approve of LGBT people as clergy
(that is, members). That leaves 43 percent who wanted other options that would
have allowed local churches and ministers to choose their stance on sexuality.
I
am not a member of the United Methodist Church, nor do I agree with all they
teach, including the idea that a governing body which, in itself, is
unrecognizable in the New Testament, could presume to vote on and potentially
change fundamental Biblical teaching on doctrine and morality. But having said
that, I want to unapologetically affirm that I applaud and support the decision
of the UMC to to uphold what has been their traditional – and more importantly
Biblical – position and policy on human sexuality. Can I say that and not be a
"gay-hater?" This issue has become so heated and politicized that some
people (on both sides of the issue) cannnot discuss it with civility,
gentleness, patience and humility (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Some Christians
speak the truth on it, but use the truth as a lash instead of speaking it in
love (Ephesians 4:15). Meanwhile, militant advocates of LGBT issues
bristle up and charge anyone who dares oppose their ideology and practices of
being "homophobic...intolerant...hate- filled...judgmental." We all
need reminding a thing is not right – or wrong – just because a lot of people say
it is or because a few people say it while pounding the table with their fist
and growing red in the face. But both sides of the argument over human
sexuality can’t be right. Words from Mike Tanaro have stuck in my mind like
chewing gum on a shoe ever since I heard him say them – "If it’s new it
ain’t true, and if it’s true it ain’t new." God Almighty speaks to us
through His Old Testament prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:6a – "For
I am the Lord, I do not change." The Bible says, "There is a
way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" (Proverbs
14:12). The Good Book is old but it is still good, and it says in Hebrews
13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
forever." Jerry Kulah, head of the UMC African Initiative, stated after
the aforementioned UMC vote in St. Louis – "I’m happy to go back to old
ladies and old men in villages (in Africa) who received the Bible from
missionaries and let them know that the Bible hasn’t changed." The Bible
hasn’t changed, and never will. Whether old or young, in Africa or America,
there are some things human beings and church leaders can’t change with a vote.
What God says about sexual morality and behavior is one of them.
Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN
