I wrote some time ago a comment on Mackan Andersson's post about the Salvation Army and the GLBT issues. My comments have been translated into English by Sven Ljungholm and published as separate comments to Patrick Olterman’s blog series on the same topic at www.fsaof.blogspot.com. Here is my comment:
Mackan subsequently shared a comment relative to my comment. First of all, thank you Mackan for the nature of the tone you use in your comment. I'm don’t feel at all spoiled by being treated respectfully recognizing that my comments are not politically correct.
Here are some brief comments addressed to Mackan. Last time we discussed this issue, you and I, was over an ice cream on a hot summer morning in Almedalsveckan (Christian conference – Almedals Week) quite a few years ago.
We are clearly agreed that a reasonable starting point for biblical interpretation is to read as it is written. I would perhaps say that number two is the question whether the Bible offers up an unambiguous message or if it appears to point in different directions. When the Bible offers up different messages on the same subject one ought to be a bit more careful in maintaining one’s absolute certainty about what the Bible really means. For example, the question of whether a woman ought to speak or not speak in church. Here is the case of a message pointing in different directions. In the New Testament we meet female prophetesses (who are presumably offering up their messages in the church by speaking), while we face restrictions concerning woman's right to speak.
But when it comes to homosexuality, the Bible offers up an unambiguous message in the few passages in which the subject is addressed: Homosexual acts are wrong.
You also mentioned that there are (in fact) so few Bible passages that speak about homosexuality and therefore ‘it’ is incidental (peripheral). Patrik goes even further and shows how many times greed is mentioned and that therefore we ought not worry about homosexuality as it is mentioned (in comparison) so very few times.
If frequency were the cornerstone of our preaching virtually all sermons would be about Jesus' return. There is nothing that is spoken of as much in the New Testament as about Jesus' return. But I rarely hear a sermon preached about Jesus' return. However, I have heard a thing or two about greed from the pulpit. But I do not think I've heard anyone preach against homosexuality.
To my best knowledge there is no lobby group that argues that greed is virtuous. There is no association or fellowship of greedy Christians who want to protect their right to be greedy. If such an organization should be created, you can probably expect a few motions in the debate arguing against the notion that greed is good.
Last and in conclusion Mackan, you sign off your arguments referencing your family where there are different sexual orientations. I have great empathy for the dilemma this creates for you, but biblical interpretation can hardly be steered or directed by whom we know or to who we are related.
With all due respect to you, Mackan, although I strongly dispute your position on the issue.
Peter Baronowsky
Daily devotions
Wednesday
TSA world wide prayer meeting
Topics for The Salvation Army World Wide Prayer Meeting
ONE ARMY: We see a God-raised, Spirit-filled Army for the 21st century - convinced of our calling, moving forward together
We will...
deepen our spiritual life
unite in prayer
identify and develop leaders
increase self-support and self-denial
ONE MISSION: Into the world of the hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means
We will...
emphasise our integrated ministry
reach and involve youth and children
stand for and serve the marginalised
encourage innovation in mission
ONE MESSAGE: With the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life
We will...
communicate Christ unashamedly
reaffi rm our belief in transformation
evangelise and disciple eff ectively
provide quality teaching resources
Sunday
Early Sunday morning in Riga - February 5
Last Sunday we had a soldiers enrolment at the corps in Iecava. It was many years since that corps enroled soldiers last time. So this Sunday was a great event for the corps.
Soldiers enrolment in Iecava. Se more pictures here
Most of the past week we have spent on different meetings in Stockholm. Two nights we have spent on the ferry to and from Stockholm.
When we finally got a day in the office on Friday it felt like Monday because it was the first day in the office this week. But now I have adjusted and now I know that it is Sunday today.
Today we will travel to the outpost in Seda for the morning service. After the service and dinner we have invited all soldiers, adherents and other interested people to an "Open Microphone", an informal gathering where we will inform about what is happening in the Salvation Army in Latvia and also to answer questions and have a dialogue with the people in Seda.
On our trip to Seda we will also bring the first year cadets, One of the cadets will be our interpreter into Russian.
I just hope that the car will start early Sunday morning. We will pick up the cadets at the Training School at nine and then we have a two hours drive to Seda.
The Hall in Seda
When we come back to Riga it will be Sunday evening and then a new intensive week will soon start.
Have a blessed week!
Peter Baronowsky
Saturday
Words of William Booth 3
William Booth commenting a new translation of the Bible:
”If the Revision throws any new light upon the precious volume – the Book of Books – I shall accept it gratefully. Meanwhile…I want to see a new translation of the Bible into the hearts and conduct of living men and women…It is no use making correct translations of words if we cannot get the words translated into life.”
From "Words of William Booth" by Cyril Barnes.
Thursday
Headlines week 5
Charisma News - "Eighty-year-old Marilyn Hickey preached the gospel to hundreds of thousands of people in Karachi, where the lame walked and the blind saw."
Blind See, Deaf Hear at Bonnke Meeting in Africa
Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda wrapped up the fourth night of Christ for All Nations' Gospel Campaign there and are reporting an outpouring.
“The Holy Spirit was poured out on the multitude in a mass baptism of fire! Dramatic signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of gospel,” Kolenda wrote in an update to partners."
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