Date of Article: 12/11/2008 This document was presented by Rev Sihlahla to the 2006 meeting of the GA for discussion: the document was discussed and the meeting felt that this document represents one side of the argument. It was the resolution of the meeting that no decision could be taken on the bases of the document; the matter was referred to the Presbyteries for further discussion. PCA members are challenged to submit their views in writing on this matter.
Introduction.
The intention of this document is to introduce the many issues involved in the debate on Homosexuality in the Church today. As such it does not attempt to take any particular position, nor to prescribe the way forward, in what can only be described as a crisis the Church is facing over the question. It is a crisis not only because opinions are polarized over questions such as”is Homosexuality a sin”, “what does the Bible say about Homosexuality” and “What should the attitude of the Church be towards Homosexual members and clergy, and same sex unions?” It has taken on the proportions of a crisis because the debate goes much deeper to fundamental issues of scriptural authority and interpretation, the meaning of inclusion and exclusion in the body of Christ, the nature and the purpose of sexuality, and the relation between science and theology. In many instances it has served to split the Church along conservative versus liberal lines and has become one of those touch stones ethical issues by which people are often judged and labeled. In most of Africa, European colonizers and missionary evangelization have sharply reduced the frequency of homosexual relations by lessening their religious and social importance within African Societies. Only in Southern Africa, where apartheid and other forms of racial labor control of Africans have led to the exclusion of African women from towns where their men are working, has European colonization created new areas for socially important Homosexual relations.
The discussion in the church is still somewhat new to the South African context, although elsewhere such as in North American churches this matter frequently debated. It is today commonly accepted that human sexuality is a continuum and that there is no exclusive homo- or heterosexual person, and reports indicate that gay and lesbian practice was quite widespread in the Western world. Along with broader socio-political changes in South Africa, homosexuality is once again a topic of debate, also in the church.
One of the most important aspects when discussing a matter such as homosexuality is to ensure that everyone is talking about the same thing: the difficulty yet necessity of conceptual clarity. Sexual orientation here is used to refer to desires for sorts of people (e.g. large breasted women or muscular men) and sexual preferences for desires for sorts of activities (sadomasochism or being passive). The categories of Heterosexual, Homosexual and Bisexual are therefore categories of sexual orientation. It is further important to distinguish between homophily or homosexuality, and homosexual acts. Homosexuality is taken here unless the context calls for gender distinction, in which the case the terms gay and lesbians will be used to refer to a same gender sexual orientation often/usually? Expressed in male-male and female-female sexual relationships and activities. Homosexual activities as such do not constitute homosexuality but refer to same sex genital and other physical expression. Unfortunately the term Homosexuality has acquired a clinical pathology and a focus on sexual acts per se rather than on human beings.
In dealing with Homosexuality the Church should first of all put to the fore the fact that all people are God’s and He loves them irrespective of their sinfulness and does not like to see them perish. There is what we believe in as prevalent grace i.e. the grace that we get when we are utterly undeserving. Against this background there is what God expects of us in return of his grace that is repentance. I am saying this at a critical point in time when there are previously unknown evils in the society at large and the church is by no means an exception. The moral fabric of the society has been and still greatly affected by these evils. One of these evils is Homosexuality. Some people do not agree with me when I say Homosexuality is evil. What is Homosexuality? It is an act of having sexual orientation in persons of the same sex, i.e. gays&lesbians. This act includes sexual intercourse and often leads to marriage and that is a natural disorder. This arrangement seeks to overthrow the natural order in that in such marriages there is no procreation. In order to have such a perception one does not have to be a Christian or religious person. Is is naturally unacceptable for same sexes to get to a point of having sexual relationships. The Church that is ambivalent on this issue is not a church. The church that sleeps with government in one bed is likely to fall in that trap of ambivalence and lukewarmth especially in issues like this. Furthermore the Church is the prophet, and the role of the prophet is to speak on behalf of God, is to warn people against all that is evil. I present to you a prophetic model of the church; the church is in this world but not of this world. The church must say no to what is evil. The church must discourage people, government from mixing values of good and evil.
It is important to note that the church is the body of Christ, with Christ as the head; it is thus the duty of the church to model Christ. The mission of the church should therefore be that of Jesus which was that of inclusivism.It must be clear that therefore as God loves Homosexuals it is also the duty of the church to love them. Be that as it may God does not like Homosexuality and the Church should follow the same suit. The church’s act must not be to stigmatize or discriminate, but to provide workshops, spiritual guidance and counseling. I just want to draw an attention or perhaps let me create a case study “two male persons enter minister’s study and request the minister to solemnize their marriage” fellow Christians, once a minister is confronted with such a situation, undoubtedly his/her integrity is put to a test. These people will approach as a minister knowing that they have rights as guaranteed in the constitution, refusal to solemnize their marriage could be a violation of their rights cf the constitution of constitution is the Bible. The government knows that it is wrong to have a society that is characterized by same sex marriages but the government is giving people the choice to choose just like God would never force people to go to Heaven. The duty of the minister is to teach the couple that it is biblically abominable. He/she should refer the couple to what happened in Sodom and Gomora. St Paul refers to homosexuality as the worst sin humanity has ever committed. I refer to homosexuality as a sickness and sickness needs healing cf John 9. The duty of the minister is to invite the couple to counseling sessions as the way of taking them through and out of this unfortunate state of Homosexuality. The question is can a minister marry or solemnize their marriage? I as a minister will not solemnize the same sex marriage unless there is something from the court of law that says I must do it, so I can sign them but never bless them, because I would be acting in contrary to God’s will. Bazalwana let me end by saying the church must take a stand in abortion, homosexuality, prostitution and other related evils. If the church can unite and say with one audible voice NO. If the church can play its role as a prophet meaningfully, if the church can be upright surely the world can be right. James in his letter to the Christians has this to say “above all my beloved do not swear either by heaven or by earth or by any oath but let your yes be yes or your no be no so that you may not fall under condemnation” James 5:12
“If you believe and I believe and we together pray, the Holy Spirit must come down and Africa will be saved”
Rev Kenneth Sihlahla
| |
