PRMI offers a Biblical response to same-sex unions The Layman Online Saturday, June 24, 2000 Presbyterian-Reformed Ministries International has distributed to General Assembly commissioners "Same-Sex Unions and the PC(USA): A Biblical Response to the Gay Theological Agenda." The 40-page paper was written by Brad Long, executive director of the Black Mountain, N.C.-based renewal organization. Long begins, "Questions concerning homosexuality and same-sex unions have been brought into focus for Presbyterians by two factors: The May 2000 ruling by the Permanent Judicial Commission authorizing ministers to bless same-sex unions and three overtures coming to this General Assembly that would prohibit such blessings." In the paper's opening section, which considers the role of Scripture in making decisions concerning homosexual behavior and same-sex unions, Long notes that "arguments will be made supporting the blessing of same-sex unions based on 'the leading of the Holy Spirit' that may touch your heart and perhaps even move you to tears." However, he warns that "to focus on 'the Spirit' and subjective experience alone, while divorcing them from the Bible and Jesus Christ, can lead only to deception and error." 'Compromise with sin' Long identifies serious consequences if the PCUSA affirms the blessing of same-sex unions, "One cannot compromise the authority of Scripture in one area of life without compromising it in all other areas of life. … This crippling of the authority of Scripture will inevitably undermine Reformed theology and the Constitution of the PCUSA, both of which rest on the authority of Scripture! Having lost its basis for knowing truth, the denomination will then plunge into the darkness of subjectivity and confusion." Moreover, if the PCUSA decides to usurp God's prerogative to decide which behaviors are and are not sinful, "People in sexual bondage will be robbed of the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - further spreading bondage and confusion to our whole culture." Long quotes from the poem "The Present Crisis" by James Russell Lowell, "amid the market's din … they enslave their children's children who make compromise with sin," then says "'The market's din' is the voice of the media and contemporary culture that would be delighted to have no constraints on sexual expression. … Compromise will not only rob the Bible of its authority and the Gospel of its power but will indeed lead to spiritual slavery for our children's children." 'A Call to Prayer' The paper concludes with "A Call to Prayer," which notes "The seriousness of the challenge calls for a serious response." Among the responses called for are to: Stand firm in our love and commitment to Jesus Christ. Be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ regardless of the cost. Confess our own sins and walk in the light. Offer the good news of the gospel to all those in bondage to sin and outside the way of salvation, and walk with them in the process of healing and sanctification. Pray for the infilling with the Holy Spirit, for the gifts and empowerment needed for witness and service. Do the work of prayer for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the renewal and reformation of the PCUSA.

Respond to this article

2000 General Assembly news index

News From the PCUSA Home · News · PLC Publications · The Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links