Friday, March 1, 2019

What Votes Can’t Change!

       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

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