Editor,
Mike Marshall's article in the January 2004 issue of Nucleus (pp2-4) raised again the question of homosexuality and the church, as did Martin Hallett's seminar at the recent CMF National Students' Conference. Having read the article, I found myself considering the following two scenarios during the seminar:
1. A man accepts Jesus and receives his salvation at an evangelistic event on a Friday evening. The following Sunday he turns up at church with his girlfriend and it becomes evident through conversation that they are regularly having sex together.
2. At the same event, another man receives his salvation and comes to church on Sunday. He brings his boyfriend. They too are regularly having sex.
In my experience, I think the response of most church fellowships to scenario 1 would be pleasure at the man's salvation, and a desire to work with him to help him understand that his current relationship does not fit with a biblical pattern for life, allowing the Lord to deal with these issues in his good time. I suspect that, in most church fellowships, scenario 2 would be a scandal.
It is high time we recognise that there is no moral difference before God between premarital heterosexual intercourse and homosexual sex: they are both sexual practices that lie outside of his requirement for a holy lifestyle. We may believe this in theory, but it is seldom worked out in practice. The church should be a place of love and acceptance, but the truth must also be taught with sensitivity within that context.
Editor,
My church has recently introduced what they term an 'Evangelism Strategy'. Although not all evangelism can fit into one strategy, it nonetheless highlights important stages in the process of a non-Christian coming to faith. The first stage simply involves them coming into contact with believers. As Christian medical students, we can help many people do this on a day to day basis on the wards and in lecture theatres. The second stage involves demonstrating that Christians are not all dull and do have lives - social events organised by your CMF group are a good idea! But I want to mention particularly the third stage: realising that Christianity is relevant and has answers to important questions in life. This is where talks organised by CMF groups can come in. As medics, we have to face some of life's tricky issues, whereas the non-medical world can all too easily ignore them. What an opportunity we have to show our fellow students that Christianity is relevant and has answers in this world.
May I encourage groups regularly to invite Christian doctors to speak on ethical issues, and use the meetings as chances to demonstrate the relevance of Christianity to your friends? You can make a difference!
Mike Marshall's article in the January 2004 issue of Nucleus (pp2-4) raised again the question of homosexuality and the church, as did Martin Hallett's seminar at the recent CMF National Students' Conference. Having read the article, I found myself considering the following two scenarios during the seminar:
1. A man accepts Jesus and receives his salvation at an evangelistic event on a Friday evening. The following Sunday he turns up at church with his girlfriend and it becomes evident through conversation that they are regularly having sex together.
2. At the same event, another man receives his salvation and comes to church on Sunday. He brings his boyfriend. They too are regularly having sex.
In my experience, I think the response of most church fellowships to scenario 1 would be pleasure at the man's salvation, and a desire to work with him to help him understand that his current relationship does not fit with a biblical pattern for life, allowing the Lord to deal with these issues in his good time. I suspect that, in most church fellowships, scenario 2 would be a scandal.
It is high time we recognise that there is no moral difference before God between premarital heterosexual intercourse and homosexual sex: they are both sexual practices that lie outside of his requirement for a holy lifestyle. We may believe this in theory, but it is seldom worked out in practice. The church should be a place of love and acceptance, but the truth must also be taught with sensitivity within that context.
Lee Collier, St George's Hospital Medical School, London
Editor,
My church has recently introduced what they term an 'Evangelism Strategy'. Although not all evangelism can fit into one strategy, it nonetheless highlights important stages in the process of a non-Christian coming to faith. The first stage simply involves them coming into contact with believers. As Christian medical students, we can help many people do this on a day to day basis on the wards and in lecture theatres. The second stage involves demonstrating that Christians are not all dull and do have lives - social events organised by your CMF group are a good idea! But I want to mention particularly the third stage: realising that Christianity is relevant and has answers to important questions in life. This is where talks organised by CMF groups can come in. As medics, we have to face some of life's tricky issues, whereas the non-medical world can all too easily ignore them. What an opportunity we have to show our fellow students that Christianity is relevant and has answers in this world.
May I encourage groups regularly to invite Christian doctors to speak on ethical issues, and use the meetings as chances to demonstrate the relevance of Christianity to your friends? You can make a difference!
Rob Dent, University of Manchester
