tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post1731919334281050098..comments2023-02-02T05:18:40.234-05:00Comments on Mr. Garner Goes To Washington: Embracing Sin With Hearts Wide ShutUnexplained Caseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399455073170218148noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-48602282132454647522013-03-29T00:57:06.166-04:002013-03-29T00:57:06.166-04:00JeseC, for starters you shouldn't have to argu...JeseC, for starters you shouldn't have to argue with other Christians. It should be a discussion. If others are making assumptions or being judgmental, that's on them.<br /><br />Interpretation of Scripture can be very personal. I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that nothing in it should be changed from the original text. However, if one tries to make a translation more modern, they are already taking a step in the wrong direction as a translation of a translation is unwise.<br /><br />And you're correct. Assuming someone is any of the things you mention above is unproductive.Rick Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02549697947866066232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-4082401745215998242012-08-10T12:48:24.765-04:002012-08-10T12:48:24.765-04:00If I may speak from the other side for a moment? ...If I may speak from the other side for a moment? I'm not going to offer a defense of homosexuality here. What I am going to say is - I have reasons. I have studied the Bible, and the arguments, and come to the conclusions that I have. And I tire above all of people assuming that I have not. What seems obvious to one person is often not obvious to another. But when I argue with other Christians, there will be no acknowledgement of that. Often the first assumption is that I am willfully denying the truth out of attachment to my sin - despite the fact that I live as a single, chaste woman.<br /><br />I believe the Bible. But I don't believe every interpretation of it, or every idea of inspiration out there. We can talk about that. The conversation we can't have is the one where people assume the other is evil, or unintelligent, or uneducated, and refuses to engage with them.JeseCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-18712915513917160212012-08-08T14:37:20.305-04:002012-08-08T14:37:20.305-04:00Thanks for sharing, Angie! And your comment does a...Thanks for sharing, Angie! And your comment does add a layer of complexity to the conversation that was addressed by one of the videos I posted: being a gay Christian. It's clear that you are doing exactly the right thing in loving him regardless of choices or actions. That's unconditional love.<br /><br />Society today wants to imply that one cannot love and accept someone unless choices are embraced. But that's coming from a society that doesn't understand sin.<br /><br />It's far better for us to love someone, disagree with certain choices, and let the Holy Spirit convict them. Family or friends trying to change someone rarely works out well.Rick Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02549697947866066232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-19510570700822762702012-08-08T14:29:51.897-04:002012-08-08T14:29:51.897-04:00Matt, thanks so much for reading and your support!...Matt, thanks so much for reading and your support!Rick Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02549697947866066232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-84527634453858457062012-08-02T11:33:30.809-04:002012-08-02T11:33:30.809-04:00Thanks, friendgirl! This is definitely an issue re...Thanks, friendgirl! This is definitely an issue requiring a dialogue.Rick Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02549697947866066232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-74816959504966477812012-08-02T08:51:43.707-04:002012-08-02T08:51:43.707-04:00Jesus was a master of thoughtful, engaging respons...Jesus was a master of thoughtful, engaging responses. But we love soundbytes and jumping to erroneous conclusions. :) Great post, Richard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-85911393831122063432012-08-02T07:48:08.448-04:002012-08-02T07:48:08.448-04:00Very eloquent...and very right. I don't disagr...Very eloquent...and very right. I don't disagree with any of what you say here. Not a word of it. But one thing that makes this issue very difficult for me is that I am the <br />motherr of a gay son. He loves Jesus. I love him...unconditionally...which is sometimes confused as embracing his lifestyle instead of embracing him. My job as his parent is to love and lead. I'm leaving it to the Holy Spirit to convict him of the sinfulness of his choices. Because for me to convict him would give the message to him that I don't love him. And I won't do that. Ever.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06155134213128405386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591058027712196623.post-48669769136814889292012-08-02T02:47:04.512-04:002012-08-02T02:47:04.512-04:00good stuff!good stuff!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com