Campolo said that, while he is “a conservative on the issue” of homosexuality, he opposed California’s recently adopted Proposition 8. The amendment to the California Constitution upends a court ruling that extended marriage rights to same-sex couples.
“I don’t know how we’re going to reach these brothers and sisters,” he said, “but I’m an evangelical and I’m going to win them to Christ.... And we’re not going to win them to Christ if we keep sending them bad messages, and we’ve sent them a bad message. I think the decision in California was in agreement with how I believe, but sometimes you’ve got to consider the person before you bang them over the head with your principles.”
“I don’t know how we’re going to reach these brothers and sisters...” It is obvious by omission that Dr.Campolo does not believe that the Scriptures are sufficient to deal with homosexuality. If Dr. Campolo doesn't know how to bear witness to the depravity of man and God's salvation plan, perhaps he should remain silent. Perhaps Dr. Campolo should open his Bible to see how Christ dealt with all sinners. How about Peter when he addressed the crowds at Pentecost? How about Paul in his letters to the churches? Or Paul's writings to Timothy on detailing what is a Biblical pastor? The Old Testament offers graphic examples of how God dealt with the sins of Israel.
Perhaps Dr. Campolo should visit Way of the Master . WOTM is an excellent resource for learning how to testify to the God of creation to anyone, regardless of political correctness.
Perhaps Dr. Campolo should stop acting like the God of the Scriptures is not sufficient to "win" the individual trapped in homosexuality.
Stop sending "them" bad messages, Dr. Campolo? Didn't Christ illustrate how to deal with personal sin...if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out! Have you considered sending the message that says all sinners sit under the indignation of God and will face His wrath and judgement if without the newness of life born of the Spirit by the Blood of Christ?
Perhaps Dr. Campolo should consider the "bad message" he is sending to the cloud of witnesses in the heavens and the God of the Scriptures. Dr. Campolo is sending a bad message to the homosexual community... no need to repent, there's nothing that can be done to change the way you are, and there is no God that can change it for you.
"...you’ve got to consider the person before you bang them over the head with your principles." Dr. Campolo's point makes sense in a social context. But Dr. Campolo was addressing a roomful of SBC pastors and leaders. Unfortunately, Dr. Campolo reveals his lack of confidence in the Scriptures in this statement. He creates a straw man inference that Bible preaching is the equivalent to banging people over the head. He also reduces and replaces the sufficiency of Scripture with man's principles within the context of his statement.
Christ aggressively rebuked the Pharisees and turned over the vendors tables of profit at the temple. He obviously considered the activity of the target audience. Would these two examples send "bad messages" because of the method by which the messages were delivered?
Perhaps The Baptist General Association of Virginia, The Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Dr. Campolo should stop politicizing homosexuality. Perhaps those who call themselves pastors should return to the Biblical calling of the pastor and call people to repent of sin, instead of embracing it.
Oh, but that would require trusting in the sufficiency of the Scriptures and God himself.
Next year the BGAV should invite former homosexual Steven Bennett to their Annual Meeting. Bennett is living proof of the sufficiency of Scripture and God's grace to set the captives free.
Compare Campolo's position on homosexuality with Stephen Bennett's statement below:
Stephen Bennett educates churches and congregations worldwide through preaching and teaching, expounding on the biblical truths of the sin of homosexuality and sexual immorality – bringing to light God’s perfect, biblical plan for mankind. According to God’s infallible Word, everyone is created either male or female: heterosexual. Sexual relations are only to be between one man and one woman – a husband and wife -- for life – within the grounds and confines of biblical marriage only. Anything outside of this – including fornication, adultery, pornography or anything else – is sexual sin according to God’s Word. Biblical abstinence is to be adhered to until a man and woman enter the biblical covenant of marriage together as husband and wife. Biblical, sexual purity is this ministry’s overriding and uncompromising message.
If you or someone you knew was trapped in homosexuality, who would you call...Tony Campolo or Steven Bennett?
Shame on The Baptist General Association of Virginia and The Virginia Baptist Mission Board for hosting Tony Campolo. Shame on them all for promoting a political position instead of a Biblical solution on homosexuality.
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What has a state's constitution, the will of the people, a general election, the rule of law, and a definition of a noun got to do with Christianity or the Gospel?
ReplyDeleteTony Campolo talks like he believes Prop 8 is a biblical dogma forced on the people by the church. He is an embarrassment.
Tony Campolo seems confused. Does he plan on reaching gays when they're married? It certainly sounds like he needs to get out of the limelight and brush up on Christian apologetics. Just like many leaders in our political system need to step-down, Many Christian leaders need to pass the torch.
ReplyDeleteSo it's Christians who are sending the bad messages? How about the recent attacks on Christians from toleranthomosexuals?