Evangelicals digest Chalke's homosexuality comments
Responses to Steve Chalke's comments in support of homosexuality have ranged from disappointment and sadness, to strong criticism.
Chalke shocked the evangelical community on Tuesday with an article in Christianity magazine explaining his decision to support same-sex relationships.
The leading evangelical figure explained that he now believes permanent, faithful, stable homosexual relationships are not sinful.
In his article, he also criticised the attitude of the church towards gay people and called for greater inclusion.
“Rather than condemn and exclude, can we dare to create an environment for homosexual people where issues of self-esteem and wellbeing can be talked about; where the virtues of loyalty, respect, interdependence and faithfulness can be nurtured, and where exclusive and permanent same-sex relationships can be supported?” he wrote.
Tony Campolo wrote a sympathetic response to Chalke in which he agreed that churches need to improve their treatment of gay people, but remained ultimately unconvinced by his arguments supporting gay relationships.
"The church cannot afford to go on alienating the youth of the nation by the way it treats gay people," he wrote.
"For my own part, I remain conservative on the issue, but I agree with Steve that the attitudes of many churches are homophobic and cruel.
"Whether or not we change our positions on accepting same-sex relationships or even gay marriage, we Evangelicals have to face the reality that the time has come for many of us to change our attitudes towards gay people, and show something of the love and grace of God in the name of His Son Jesus."
Writing on the Evangelical Alliance website, Baptist minister and senior lecturer in theology at St Andrews University, Steve Holmes, similarly applauded Chalke for "courageously [naming] a pastoral scandal that we have swept under the carpet for too long".
Whilst he agreed that the church needed to be more welcoming to gay people, he argued that Chalke's solution was not the right one.
"I do not think it can be justified biblically, and I do not think it will work," he said.
Read more at www.christiantoday.com.
Tags : Evangelicals Chalke Homosexuality
Hot Trends
-
Michael Tait Accused of Watching Woman Raped During Newsboys Tour
-
Newsboys Dropped From Label Amid Michael Tait Scandal
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
Newsboys' Michael Tait Joins Capital Chuch for their 37th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial
-
TAYA Leaves Hillsong Church
-
Michael Tait Faces Additional Allegations from 6 More Men, Including Two Minors
-
Nicole Serrano, Former Member of Red Rocks Worship & Vocalist for Chris Tomlin, Says She's a Lesbian
-
NEEDTOBREATHE Frontman Bear Rinehart Accused by Younger Brother Bo of Sexual Abuse
-
Meet the Heroes of "The Mercy Ships:" An Interview on the Groundbreaking Reality Series
-
NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Rinehart Responds to Brother’s Allegations, Reveals Shared Childhood Trauma
-
Here Are Lyrics to Passion's "The Lord Will Provide"
-
The Archers Reimagine 1975 Hit "It Wouldn't Be Enough"
-
Chrissy Metz to Star in Upcoming Film "Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story"
-
World’s Highest IQ Holder YoungHoon Kim Publicly Declares Faith in Jesus Christ
-
Alistair Begg Preaches Final Sermon as Senior Pastor of Parkside Church
Most Popular
-
Michael Tait Accused of Watching Woman Raped During Newsboys Tour
-
Newsboys Dropped From Label Amid Michael Tait Scandal
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
Newsboys' Michael Tait Joins Capital Chuch for their 37th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial
-
TAYA Leaves Hillsong Church
-
Michael Tait Faces Additional Allegations from 6 More Men, Including Two Minors
-
Nicole Serrano, Former Member of Red Rocks Worship & Vocalist for Chris Tomlin, Says She's a Lesbian
-
NEEDTOBREATHE Frontman Bear Rinehart Accused by Younger Brother Bo of Sexual Abuse
-
Meet the Heroes of "The Mercy Ships:" An Interview on the Groundbreaking Reality Series
-
NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Rinehart Responds to Brother’s Allegations, Reveals Shared Childhood Trauma
-
Here Are Lyrics to Passion's "The Lord Will Provide"
-
The Archers Reimagine 1975 Hit "It Wouldn't Be Enough"
-
Chrissy Metz to Star in Upcoming Film "Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story"
-
World’s Highest IQ Holder YoungHoon Kim Publicly Declares Faith in Jesus Christ
-
Alistair Begg Preaches Final Sermon as Senior Pastor of Parkside Church