Learning From the UMC’s Mistakes
by John Lomperis, First Things:
As the United Methodist Church goes through an increasingly bitter, slow-motion divorce, with theologically orthodox members forming the new Global Methodist Church, it offers an important cautionary tale for the rest of the body of Christ.
It is widely agreed that our denomination’s high-profile sexuality debates reflect deeper disagreements over such matters as biblical authority, the mission of the Church, and who Jesus Christ is. As a longtime leader of theologically orthodox United Methodists, I have closely watched the relentless, decades-long campaign to liberalize the UMC on marriage and sex. One key pitch used to sell my denomination, and others, into shifting toward LGBTQIA+ affirmation has been the idea that liberalization advocates are not asking for much, just a little live-and-let-live toleration. Now that the UMC has likely crossed the point of no return, those in other churches, in earlier stages of such discussions, should observe how this sales pitch turned out to be a lie.
Outside of the UMC, officially conservative American churches have plenty of members who have been wrestling with similar false promises. Over the last quarter century, mainline Protestants have heard the same misleading pleas over and over:
Since any stance will hurt people’s feelings, why can’t the Church just avoid taking any strong official position on same-sex marriage?
We can just adopt an official stance that we agree to disagree, and leave it up to local churches to decide whether to permit same-sex marriage or not.
If we merely allow same-sex weddings, that will not force anyone to approve.
Such rhetoric entices church leaders and members. They are tempted to believe they can avoid conflict and make everybody happy, all without compromising their theological values or forcing anyone else to do so.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
