And now, Dr. Albert Mohler. president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at a conference recently had this to say:
"One of the things we should not be embarrassed to say is that we are learning. One of the embarrassments that I have to bear is that I have written on some of these issues now for nearly 30 years, and at a couple of points I have to say ‘I got that wrong,' and we have to go back and correct it, correct it by Scripture.
"Now early in this controversy, I felt it quite necessary, in order to make clear the gospel, to deny anything like a sexual orientation. And speaking at an event of the National Association of Evangelicals twenty-something years ago, I made that point. I repent of that.
I believe that a biblical, theological understanding, a robust biblical theology, would point to us that human sexual, affective, um, profiles of who we are sexually, is far more deeply rooted than just the will, if that were so easy.
But Genesis 3 explains that, helps us to understand that this complex of same-sex challenges coming to us is something that is deeply rooted in the biblical story itself, and something we need to take with far greater seriousness than we have taken it in the past, understanding that that requires a far more robust gospel response than anything the church has come up with heretofore."
"Now therefore go to speak to the men of Judah, [or Africa, Europe or America] and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, [or NYC, Dallas or Seattle] saying, ‘Thus saith the Lord: Behold, I frame evil against you and devise a device against you. Return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good." Jeremiah 18:11
I know for many Al Mohler hung the moon and they will defend him at any cost (even that of their own soul). His true colors are finally showing through the façade of decades that he has perpetrated on the Bride of Christ, namely that he is a charlatan and a hireling, better known as a heretic. His comments on this are unbiblical and therefore totally useless to anyone who loves Jesus Christ in truth. How long will it be before he says that it is possible to be gay and saved at the same time (which according to Scripture is impossible)?
ReplyDeleteWe should look up and not out for guidance. Scripture is very clear, mans heart is wicked. Be they Mohler, Moore, Graham or Francis we must stop looking to man and look to God.
ReplyDelete"And now, Dr. Albert Mohler. president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at a conference recently had this to say:"
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. What conference and do you have a link?
Here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.onenewsnow.com/perspectives/bryan-fischer/2014/12/02/the-curious-case-of-dr-albert-mohler#.VH8ujohOKrU
I think there is a lot of over-reacting to what Mohler said. He is allowing for the possibility that people are born with an "orientation" towards homosexuality. There is no evidence of such, but I don't see the impossibility of a genetic defect causing such a thing. But that would mean there are also those born with an "orientation" towards pedophilia, bestiality, necromancy, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe issue really isn't whether one is born with an "orientation" to a particular sin. The issue is that we are all born with orientations to sin. The issue is also that just because one has an orientation towards a particular sin, that doesn't mean they have to act on it.
Homosexual "orientation" might not be chosen. But every homosexual act is chosen. And that is the issue. We don't sanction the behavior just because a desire towards that behavior isn't chosen. And I don't think Mohler was suggesting anything of the sort.
"Heretic" is a mighty strong word to use against Mohler for suggesting the possibility of an in-born orientation.
I agree with this article which says Mohler's comments were actually somewhat confusing.
ReplyDeletehttp://barbwire.com/2014/12/03/needs-image-0900-curious-case-dr-albert-mohler/
As Christian leaders, responses should NOT be confusing!!! Mohler, as a leader, should have articulated his views more clearly. The Bible is clear - homosexuality is a SIN. God does not condem birth defects, He condems sin.
ReplyDeleteI agree he should not be confusing. But nothing he said warrants the label of "heretic," as Darrel called him.
DeleteDid Mohler actually "join forces" with Mormons or did he just agree with them on that topic. I think sometime Christians can get a bit picky and legalistic.
DeleteJust to be clear, I am as "anti-Mormon" as one can get.
http://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com
But joining in political and social issues has nothing to do with theology. As long as no one even hints that their is a unity in theology, there is no problem joining with other people for the same cause. After all, I live near Mormons and we vote on the same side of the fence when it comes to issues concerning our small town - political issues. If my neighbor is a Muslim and he wants to defend the life of someone a robber is attacking, should I not "join" with him because he's Muslim?
IF Mohler had stated that homosexual behavior is no longer a sin, THEN you'd have a legitimate theological complaint. But that is NOT what he said. He only questioned whether or not we should acknowledge the possibility of an "orientation." And, how to deal with the issue properly.
Glenn, you are part of the problem here, when you make allowance for all that AM says and does in this matter of LBGTQ. "Sexual orientation" has so many definitions, so make it clear what you refer to while not excusing AM for his pie-in-the-sky statements. A logical conclusion to what AM said is that it is ok for a person to be born again and gay at the same time-a biblical impossibility. Why did you choose to ignore that statement in your defense of the indefensible Al Mohler? Your definition of 'heresy' is probably wanting also. Heresy=anything that is opposed to Scripture and/or the character of God. To even hint that a person is born with the predisposition to homosexuality thereby making God responsible for that condition IS HERESY. You want to blame someone other than yourself for your sins then call out Adam, not God. Defend AM to the hilt, I expect nothing less, after all he is a "preacher" and as such can do or speak no wrong-he has made himself a pope. If you still think that there is no such thing as "guilt be association" you have deceived yourself and all those who hear you say that. Read 2 Cor. 6:11-18 until it soaks in that born again believers are not to associate with, become unequally yoked together with, or find any area of agreement or common interests with the lost world. You should know this, why you are ignoring it is your problem
ReplyDeleteDarrel,
ReplyDeleteYou are part of the problem due to your lack of understanding.
Firstly, heresy is defined as a violation of fundamental Christian doctrines - the “non-negotiables” - which determine whether one’s beliefs are really Christian. Show me where Mr. Mohler violated any non-negotiable doctrines.
“Sexual orientation” has only ONE definition that I am aware of. It means an orientation towards some sexual desire, the orientation is heterosexual, homosexual, or any other sexual persuasion.
IF one is indeed “born” with a homosexual orientation, that doesn’t make them “gay,” since “gay” is usually reserved for one who practices homosexual behavior.
Is it possible to have an “orientation” towards homosexuality and still be a Christian? YES! Everyone has a sinful orientation of some sort; we are ALL oriented towards sin. IF there is such thing as a genetic defect so that one is “oriented” towards homosexuality, as long as they never engage in the action they are not sexually immoral. Desires are not always sinful; one can have desires for women before marriage but as long as one is focussing those desires as lust, then there is no sin.
So, God is responsible if someone is born with a genetic defect which gives him a malfunctioning brain?!?!? So in your mind God is responsible for all birth defects?!?!? And here I was under the impression that it was due to sin entering the world and corrupting everything in it! What kind of God do you worship who creates people with defects?!?!
Your ad hominem attacks against Mr. Mohler set you up as nothing more than a bigot against someone who doesn’t dot your i’s or cross your t’s. Contrary to your assertion, o one has even intimated that Mohler can do or speak no wrong. I’ve only cautioned you to not jump to conclusions and put into the man’s mouth that which he has not said.
2 Cor 6:11-18 has nothing to do with “guilt by association.” It has to do with those of Christians joining with non-Christians for THEOLOGICAL reasons. In your logic, if I vote Republican I am violating this passage because Mormons and other cult members vote the same way. DO you fly in an airplane before ensuring your pilot is a Christian? Am I not allowed to be in a band because I’m joining together with unbelievers in that band?
We are not to isolate ourselves from the world; we are to be the salt and light to the world. Working together with pagans in regards to political and social issues does not violate Scripture as long as it is clearly understood that one is not working together for religious reasons.
"...but as long as one ISN'T focussing those desires as lust, then there is no sin."
ReplyDeleteTell us, Mr. Chatfield, what is a "non-negotiable" doctrine and which are those that are up for debate and negotiable in your esteemed estimation? Please be so kind as to inform the Holy Spirit that you have finally gotten the list down-pat and that He needn't bother with any further moderation of debate in "Christian circles". Either He has been confused for eons or just plain unable to properly instruct the elect of the Father as to what is right and what is wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs for "ad hominem" attacks it seems that you are the one unleashing the cheap shots as found in your fifth paragraph. Mohler's own words is the best attack dog I can come up with and have no need to look further that what falls out of his mouth.
I see that reading 2 Cor. has profited you nothing. Maybe you should really read it next time. Mohler is wrong and if you make excuse for him or support him in any way you are complicit with his sin. If that is what you want, I'll not try to persuade you away from your choice of sins.
Darrel,
ReplyDeleteNon-negotiable doctrines are something we should know simply by reading the Scripture.
I think Dr. Ron Rhodes and Dr. Norman Geisler have an excellent list in their book, Conviction Without Compromise Here’s their list:
God’s unity
God’s tri-unity
Deity of Christ
Humanity of Christ
Depravity of Mankind
Virgin Birth of Christ
Sinlessness of Christ
Christ’s atoning death
Christ’s bodily resurrection
Need for God’s grace
Need for faith
Christ’s bodily ascension
Priestly intercession by Christ
Christ’s bodily second coming
The Inspiration of Scripture
Literal interpretation of Scripture
Would you care to add something to that list?
No, I didn’t have any ad hominem attack. I used YOUR logic to inquire as to your beliefs since you claim we cannot associate with pagans. Perhaps you should think out your claims before writing them.
Perhaps YOU should read the 2 Cor passage in context rather than with the bias misuse of it you have displayed.
Demonstrate from Scripture how Mohler is wrong to suggest a possibility that people can be born with a defect which causes them to have homosexual desires. Define what sin Mohler committed. What about your sin of bearing false witness against him?
Are you saying you believe homosexuals may be born that way? Are you in agreement with Mohler's claim?
DeleteI’m saying we do not know if a person might have a genetic defect in the brain which disrupts normal thinking processes. There my indeed be SOME people born with an “orientation” towards homosexuality. There is no proof either way, but the important this is to use their claim about “sexual orientation” to reach them with the truth - that everyone has an “orientation” towards sin, but that doesn’t justify acting on it. (I don’t believe there is such an in-born trait, but I am open to the possibility of a genetic defect.)
No, there is NO evidence from Scripture which says one cannot be born with a desire towards it. I am very familiar with Romans, but if you actually read to understand it rather than trying to use it as a proof text, you will see it says nothing about an “orientation,” rather it speaks to the choice of behavior. That is a huge difference.
The “natural way” WAS inborn before the Fall, in the same way before the Fall. There are sorts of corruptions of the “natural order” which God did not instill or design, and it is all because of the Fall.
By Mohler's logic, if homosexuals are born that way, does that mean an adulterer is born that way as well? Is a pedophile born that way too? Surely you can see the foolishness of such logic.
IF there is a genetic defect for one type of “sexual orientation,” then there COULD be a genetic defect for any other “sexual orientation.” I so stated that in my very first comment: There is no evidence of such, but I don't see the impossibility of a genetic defect causing such a thing. But that would mean there are also those born with an "orientation" towards pedophilia, bestiality, necromancy, etc.
But the issue is that ALL sexual behavior is always a choice.
By separating “orientation” from “behavior” we can more easily address the claims of the activists: i.e., “orientation” may not be a choice, but no one has to act on orientations. No act should be sanctioned just because of an “orientation.”
Mr. Chatfield,
ReplyDeleteI don't know Ron Rhodes, but Norm Geisler? Now there's a bastion of sound doctrine. As for their "all-inclusive list" dare I attempt to instruct two learned Doctors (of whatever) that they forgot to include the creation? Or maybe they are of the mind that we are all here due to some evolutionary process that may or may not include the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Also, there is no mention of election and predestination, maybe they are of the mind that people get saved by an act of their "free-will". So one can only surmise that Creation and Election are of secondary importance and therefore "negotiable" which ends up being one of those pesky dilemmas where creation and evolution are both true (square that with John 5:45&46), as is election and free-will (and if one can gain access to heaven via an act of his will, then that person has no need of grace-Eph.2).
Mohler is sowing the seeds of "big-tent Christianity" where everyone is welcome and they can continue in their sins even after they are supposedly saved. And you, Mr. Chatfield are found to be in lock-step with him. Lyn is so very correct in her assessment of this situation. Since you make room for PRACTICING homosexuals (and, yes, that is precisely what you are doing) why not include practicing murderers and liars as well? Where do you draw the line and by what authority do you declare who may be included in the Body of Christ and bring with them the continued practice of their favorite sin? [Have you never read that born again believers are delivered from the power of sin-Rom. 6:14?] That's the declaration of AM and of you, if you continue to defend this unbiblical and HERETICAL position. To you, it is a negotiable thing since it was not included in the list you provided and cherish as seen above, BUT IT IS NOT NEGOTIABLE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. Don't you realize that to say that a believer can continue to practice his sins and is nonetheless still welcomed that you are making Christ the minister of sin?
You still want to defend Mohler? Have at it, but know also that his list of associates includes many a free-mason (the SBC is infested with them) who worship satan and not the Lord Jesus; those that deny the need for the Blood of Christ and His status as the Eternal Son of God and state simply that one can receive the mark of the beast and later be "saved" (I speak specifically of one John MacArthur-and no, I will not discuss it further here, look it up for yourself).
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits..."
You have a decision to make: will you continue to follow Al Mohler or turn to Christ?
Darrel,
DeleteDr. Ron Rhodes is a top-notch apologist. He has a ministry called “Reasoning From the Scriptures,” and has numerous books dealing with cults and false teachings. You would do well to learn from him. I have sat in many classes with him at apologetics conferences.
Norm Geisler is indeed a man of sound doctrine. The fact that he has problems with a 7-day creation - which is where I totally disagree with him - does not negate the fact that everywhere else he is sound. Of course Calvinists don’t like him because speaks against some Calvinist teachings.
Creation, by the way, is not “non-negotiable” as far as salvation. One can believe God used evolution and millions of years and yet still be saved. You won’t find in the Bible a requirement to believe in Young Earth Creation in order to be saved.
Nor is there anywhere in the Bible where one has to believe in Augustinianism (Calvinism) to be saved. My stance against Calvinism should be well known to those who follow my blog or read my comments on other blogs. I’m 100% anti-Calvinism, but I am surely saved.
You assert that Mohler is sowing the seeds of "big-tent Christianity”, and I vehemently disagree with your OPINION.
Since you make room for PRACTICING homosexuals (and, yes, that is precisely what you are doing) why not include practicing murderers and liars as well?
Now you have told a bald-faced lie. You are bearing false witness against me. Your problem is exactly the same as Lyn’s; you can’t separate a desire from an action. I know Christian men who got caught up in pornography and still have a desire for it, but they practice self-control and don’t imbibe. So a man who struggles with homosexual desire but abstains can be a Christian. There are many Christian single people who have strong sexual desires but abstain until they are married (or even remain celibate for life). Having the desires doesn’t prevent them from being part of the body of Christ. YOU also struggle with sin - all of us do. Yet having such desires (whatever they may be) does not keep you from salvation. This is NOT a “heretical” position.
Freemasonry is indeed a religion which is not compatible with Christianity. Guess what, I have friends who are Masons, and I’ve had Mormon friends, I have Catholic friends, etc. Associating with people who have false belief systems is not a sin. Your understanding about Freemasonry sounds like you read too many Jack Chick tracts.
As far as your claim about Mohler and the mark of the beast, this has been discussed ad nauseum on many sites, and I have participated in such discussions. Mohler had an erroneous understanding on this one issue; that those who took the mark of the beast and then later learned the gospel, could be saved. Having that belief is not heresy. You seem to have a real bone to pick with Mohler.
By they way, I don’t follow any man - I follow Christ. But I will defend anyone — even a Mormon — who is falsely accused.
As far as your claim about Mohler and the mark of the beast
DeleteSorry, that should read "McArthur" and the mark of the beast."
the phrase 'sexual orientation' is not found anywhere in Scripture - it's man-made phraseology used to lessen the severity of the abomination known as homosexuality.
ReplyDelete“Trinity” isn’t found in the Bible, nor was the word “homosexuality” found in the Bible until 20th century, “dinosaur” isn’t found in the Bible, etc. Just because a word or phrase is not found in the Bible, that does not mean it is an invalid concept.
I am baffled how homosexuality has been labeled as 'sexual orientation';
You need to keep up with the times, the psychology, the culture in regards to word usage. According to the intelligentsia, everyone has a “sexual orientation” - not just those who practice homosexuality. “Sexual orientation” is the direction/position one takes towards sexuality, which can be heterosexual, homosexual, zoophilia, pedophilia, necrophilia, etc. This is really no different than being born with the orientation towards sin in general. Homosexual orientation is not the same as homosexual behavior. There are plenty of testimonies from Christians who have had homosexual “orientation” for as long as they can remember, but they knew it was wrong and never acted on it. Even though they struggle with the desire (i.e., temptation), they overcome it through Christ.
You are confusing a desire with a behavior.
Lyn,
ReplyDeleteAll your Bible passages say nothing about homosexual “orientation,” but only homosexual behavior. The two are not the same.
In your logic, every time a person thinks about stealing something, he is therefor a thief. Yes, thoughts about something can be a sin also (like hating someone so much that you wish them dead becomes on the same level as murder; lusting after a woman becomes on the same level with adultery).
You continue to confuse desire vs behavior. Split them apart. That is what Mohler was really saying. We can address the sin of homosexual behavior without getting involved as to whether or not “orientation” is something someone is born with. Orientation does not require acting on it.
All of us are sin oriented.
Lyn:
ReplyDeleteIt's troubling that you find nothing wrong with joining up with dead religions to stand for various issues, such as traditional marriage.
I said NOTHING about joining up with dead religions; my point was joining up with PEOPLE who may have a different religious belief but have the same political and social goals. As long as it isn’t put forth as a religious agenda, there is no compromise.
Where does the Bible teach we should do this? Where are we to join in with Mormons to fight for traditional marriage, or with Roman Catholics to stop abortion
We are still citizens of this earth even as we are citizens of heaven. If we don’t preach against the evils as well as preach the gospel, then the evils will just get worse. The Church for the most part didn’t fight against divorce laws when they began, and lost the ability to fight against them when they became what the are today. Christians didn’t take open stands against the homosexual agenda when it was possible to do so before it’s gotten to its current state. In this country every citizen has a voice with their votes. When one needs a political party to affect the governmental system, that party may have pagans of every stripe. But we aren’t there to discuss religion, rather we are there to work on the political situation.
I think the way Mohler went about it was wrong in that he made it appear that we have common theological grounds with the LDS, but that doesn’t make him a heretic. It means he used poor judgement. My asking my neighborhood Mormon to join with me in a political cause does not give the appearance of commonality with his faith. Crucifying Mohler for poor judgment in that situation is also wrong. (unless you want to say you’ve never had an incident in your life where you used poor judgment.)
We may “join” with anyone for the same cause, as long as we don’t bring religion into the issue. If this was not true, then I couldn’t join a band unless everyone in it was Christian.
No, Warren and Mohler are NOT the same mindset in this regard. Mohler stands strong for orthodox Christianity and teaches the Mormonism and Catholicism are both wrong. Warren thinks we have so much in common with Rome that we just might as well re-join them! Warren has said similar things about Islam.
ReplyDeleteMr. Chatfield, your inability to understand plain speech is appalling and is reflected in another inability of yours, namely to understand Scripture. Further communication with you is pointless; goodbye.
ReplyDeleteDarrell,
DeleteI'd say I understand Scripture a whole lot better than you. You behave as a Pharisee when someone does ONE thing you don't like. You have proven yourself unteachable.
Lyn, (Part 1)
ReplyDeleteGod said everything was good BEFORE THE FALL. Where have you been? The whole of Christendom for 2000 years has taught that everything was perfect until the Fall, at which time the world was corrupted. So then, you must deny the effects of the Fall when you say everyone is still the way God made Adam.
Are you insinuating when God stated 'it is good' He was lying? Things had gone awry BEFORE sin?!? Oh my!
Talk about not being able to read and comprehend!! Where did I even INTIMATE such an absurdity!?!?!? Your comments are a continuous string of false claims, totally misrepresenting everything I have said, and yet you have the audacity to say I argue from a worldly point of view. Like Darrel, if you don’t understand something or if you don’t like it, you behave as a Pharisee with charges of false teaching.
Lyn, no one has ever suggested that sin isn’t a choice. YOU don’t seem to be able to comprehend the difference between a desire and a behavior. If you can’t understand the difference, then it is impossible to talk sense to you. You make a bald-faced lie when you say I argue from psychology.
Then you have the audacity to say I believe wrongly about soteriology because I disagree with Calvinism. Typical Calvinist viewpoint.
YOU are the one with no Scriptural support to say one cannot have a genetic defect which makes their brain not function properly. You defy the whole of medical science when you deny there is no such thing as a genetic defect of the brain. How do you explain mental retardation?!?!?
You think if a word isn’t in the Bible then it can’t be used by Christians, then how do you use “Trinity.” Your lack of logic in your argument is extreme.
Your whole argument about what I said about “orientation” only proves you can’t read - or maybe you didn't read - or even comprehend what was so plainly laid out.
I fully understand the origin of the word “homosexual” but you continue to confuse behavior with desire. EVERYONE - GET THAT — EVERYONE has an “orientation” towards sin. That is what we inherited from Adam.
Lyn, (part 2)
ReplyDeleteYou cannot prove orientation even exists.
UM, yes we can prove “orientation” exists. We are all oriented - pre-disposed - towards sin. HELLO!!! It is NOT “worldly terminology.”
Every time you claim I bring in psychology because of the word “orientation,” you demonstrate you ignorance of the English language. And you also lie about me. I have plenty of proof on my blog as to what I teach about psychology - it’s a fraudulent philosophy. DON’T EVER ACCUSE ME OF USING PSYCHOLOGY just because you fail to understand the English language!
The point is that “orientation” does not force choice. If you were smart enough to understand that then you’d understand what Mohler and I are both saying. We say, okay, one may be oriented towards homosexuality, just as everyone is oriented towards sin. But orientation does not demand behavior acting upon it.. We say, so you have an attraction to someone of the same sex; so what? Don’t act on it because if you act on it you are sinning! Why is this so difficult to understand?!??!
Every scripture you bring out only says that one who participates in homosexual relations is sinning grievously. No where - NO WHERE - have I even INTIMATED anything different.
You cleave to your unbiblical Augustinian/Calvinist theology and decide anyone who doesn’t accept a theology which has a God who creates people specifically to send to hell is somehow less of a Christian. Thanks for being another bigoted Calvinist.
Then you attack what I said about Darrel’s comment about Freemasonry by cherry-picking another passage to throw out like confetti but has nothing to do with the statement I made.
You have just stated that I cannot be a member of a band unless the band is all Christian because of 2 Cor 6:14. Gee, I couldn’t even work with unbelievers by your abuse of that passage. Talk about someone not able to rightly divide the Word - look in the mirror, Lass.
I don’t compromise anything. But I also refuse to behave like a Pharisee and attack someone because they might have one or two ideas that don’t comport with Scripture but are not heresy.
You, like Darrel, have proven to be unteachable because you refuse to even try to comprehend what someone is saying.
Nice assertions, Lyn. Typical Calvinist. I'm all wrong because I'm not a Calvinist. And of course it is just my point of view because I use common sense and proper hermeneutical principles rather than just asserting things the way you do. Anyone not sucking the teat of Calvinist theology is condemned to hell by your version of Calvinism. I'd say scripturally it is the Calvinists who have the foundation wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou keep denying there is such a thing as orientation, and yet you defend a theology which says all are oriented to sin!! What is it about that word you don't like -- just because the Bible doesn't have that word in it?!?!? The Bible doesn't have a huge collection of English words in it, but that doesn't mean we can't use such words to describe teachings -- again, you have never addressed the point about "Trinity" not being in the Bible.
Homosexuality, like every other sin, does indeed originate in an orientation towards sin. A predisposition towards sin. Your Calvinist theology agrees that all mankind has a sin nature - an orientation towards sin. But you say their is ONE sin that can originate from an orientation towards sin - homosexuality. It is the only sin, from what you are saying, which is not due to the sin nature of man.
How convoluted can you get?!?!?