"I don't particularly care about Scripture's stance on what is 'wrong.' I care more about how it says we should treat people." ~ Dan Haseltine, Jars of Clay (source)
Although Haseltine made this statement several years ago to justify his support of gay marriage, it is fast becoming the mantra of many modern Christians.
So let’s examine it.
Can you care about people without caring about Scripture’s view of right and wrong?
Do doctors who care about their patients fail to tell them they have treatable diseases?
Do teachers who care about their students fail to correct their wrong answers?
Do house inspectors who care about homeowners fail to tell them about serious fire hazards?
If a person doesn’t particularly care about Scripture’s stance on right and wrong, that person doesn’t particularly care about the eternal destiny of the lost (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The gospel doesn't make people feel comfortable in their sins. It helps them find God's love, forgiveness, and deliverance from sin.
See these Scriptures: Mark 8:38, John 15:19; Romans 1:16; Galatians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6, 11-13, James 4:4; Jude 1:23.
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So true,thank you. Also we are to speak the truth in love,Ephesians 4:15. That says to me we should put the truth of God's word first then love for people should follow from that, not the other way round.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!
DeleteI read the beginning quote and was going to stop reading the devotion, not realizing the point the devotion was making. Reading the full devotion made me realize the strength of the enemy trying to close the door on enriching my faith.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stuck with it.
DeleteI guess that could have happened to more folks than you.
I might need to rethink putting a controversial quote at the beginning of a devotion.
Goes to prove that Christian pop music does not come from God.
ReplyDeletePlease don't generalize. SOME Christian pop music does not come from God but much of it does. You could say the same about SOME worship music, SOME hymms, etc.
DeleteDan Haseltine may have stated his position poorly but his point about how we treat others, no matter if they are gay, is on point. This idea reflects the teaching of Jesus to not only love God but to love thy neighbor. Dan may not care about Scripture's stance on what is "wrong", which by the way is not godly, but I get the feeling he cares about those around him, including his gay neighbors and that is godly.
ReplyDeleteHi Manny,
DeleteHaseltine says Christians should treat homosexuals kindly and lovingly, and I agree completely.
However, he goes further than that and says things that are not in line with Scripture. These are few more of his quotes that concern me (you can find them linked to the "source" link in the devotion).
"I just don't see a negative effect to allowing gay marriage."
"...most people read and interpret scripture wrong. I don't think scripture 'clearly' states much of anything regarding morality."
"Just curious what "condoning a persons homosexuality" does. Does it change you? Does it hurt someone? What is behind the conviction?"
All of these statements contradict the teachings of Scripture, and if Haseltine genuinely thinks that Scripture doesn't clearly state much of anything regarding morality, he needs to start reading it.
Agreed, I know nothing of Haseltine but to say that scriptures say nothing of morality is completely ignorant.
DeleteGail, I appreciate your pointing out scriptural error people will use, be it because they misunderstand or have an agenda they want to publish. My son in-law was a former Youth Pastor and Christian from childhood. Somewhere he began to slip in his morals. Quit Pastoring, changed sexual lifestyle and recently took his life. Did he still consider himself Christian homosexual? I don't know. I find it difficult to believe those who give into their same sex desires are really happy. We can love them and I did grieve the death of my son in-law. We must pray those who are ensnared in the web of deceit will be crying out to Jesus for deliverance. When we pray that, it is not because we don't love them, it is because we do.
ReplyDeleteDear friend, It is so sad when someone in our family makes these choices, and I agree with you that down deep it does not bring them happiness. I'm so sorry about your son-in-law. And it encourages us to lovingly help homosexuals find deliverance in Christ.
Delete