An Episcopal subscriber couple lament their denomination's majority acceptance at the highest levels of the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of persons who openly and unashamedly practice same-sex intimacy. "Is there any biblical or traditional justification for these positions?" they ask.

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We may safely say that there is absolutely no basis in either scripture or orthodox Christian tradition for the same-sex unions, blessings or ordinations which some within the Episcopal Church are urging (and some are doing).  Attempts to justify homosexuality by the Bible rely on unfounded historical assumptions, strained exegesis and a willful ignoring of the fact that Scripture always presents such conduct  in a negative light. For those reasons, same-sex advocates are increasingly acknowledging that the Bible stands against their view and simply saying that the Bible is wrong.

It is also urgently important to say that we should not hate homosexual people, regard as sinful any person of homosexual orientation who lives a godly life, or deny anyone their civil rights.  No Christian ought to tell homosexual jokes, or use derogatory labels, or taunt someone regarding sexual orientation. There is no excuse for behaving cruelly toward anyone, or treating any person other than with dignity, kindness and respect. It remains unclear, in my opinion, whether homosexual orientation is a matter of nature or of nurture. Ours is a fallen world, a fact which affects us all, and either explanation now seems possible.

The church in every age must compete with the spirit of the world, and the gospel's call to purity of life is always at odds with our own sinful natures. Some of these sexual issues happen to be in the forefront of the present struggle for the soul of various mainline denominations. However, the same larger spiritual struggle is underway daily for all Christian people, heterosexual or not, and ultimately it is won or lost on an individual basis. Our most pressing concern therefore is our own faith relationship with God, and our own walk -- with all its implications -- in the Spirit of the Risen Jesus Christ.

For more on sexual issues, click here.