tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post8019721639189055934..comments2023-09-03T08:56:25.801-05:00Comments on The unChurch: Transgenders and JesusUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-19140743365244534872009-08-07T15:19:06.909-05:002009-08-07T15:19:06.909-05:00Just for the sake of putting all my cards on the t...Just for the sake of putting all my cards on the table. . .<br /><br />I wouldn't really advocate any kind of 'public confession', and I would even agree that, as far as the 'whole congregation' goes, there isn't necessarily a 'need to know' about all of each other's past sins.<br /><br />I do, though, envision some manner of 'pastoral care' aimed at helping John/Joan live as 'whole' a Christian life as possible. Which, as I said, would walk some ticklish lines between Truth and Love, and could easily be abused. But that would be the aim, I think. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-8225900861907244762009-08-07T14:18:19.914-05:002009-08-07T14:18:19.914-05:00Craig,
I agree with you to a certain extent, but...Craig, <br /><br />I agree with you to a certain extent, but I think, for me, it all lies in a search for balance. Of course we should be honest with one another, but we need to temper that honesty with common sense and discretion. <br /><br />I don't agree with most blanket statements when it comes to people and situations. What works in one situation could be disastrous in another.<br /><br />One <i>could</i> share the most intimate details of one's long-ago sins with one's congregation, but I think it's dicey to consider it mandatory and/or an absolute necessity. <br /><br />Every soul is different, and when it comes to healing of this magnitude, that person's needs should take front row and center. I'm not saying the congregation's needs shouldn't be considered, but there are times when they need to take a back seat to the individual's. Would the congregation WANT to know about this? Some members would, some would not. Do any of them NEED to know? No.<br /><br />This is a terrific discussion, btw!Deborahhttp://dominodebi.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-51434384871836079192009-08-07T13:16:57.280-05:002009-08-07T13:16:57.280-05:00Deborah said,
"Joan's repentance is betw...Deborah said,<br /><br /><i>"Joan's repentance is between her and God. It's none of the congregation's business what she's done in her past. . ."</i><br /><br />With all appreciation for the whole of her comment, I firmly disagree with that notion.<br /><br />The Church is not a collection of solitary individuals, each with his/her own relationship to God, in isolation from each other. In whatever mysterious way, our lives are connected to each other, and the sins of each of us affect all of us. God's treatment of Israel vis-a-vis Achan give us one scriptural example, among many others. . .<br /><br />That said, it is the duty of the Church to treat John/Joan with mercy, and grace, and compassion, and not 'break the bruised reed'.<br /><br />A fundamental part of our mission, as being the Church to each other, is helping each other get to Heaven. And part of that is 'speaking the Truth in Love' to each other. 'Not my business' isn't 'speaking the Truth in Love', any more than 'speaking the Truth judgmentally' is. We dare not sacrifice Truth to Love any more than the other way around; we need to insist on both. Which ain't always easy to pull off. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-86849256879723682882009-08-07T09:51:35.470-05:002009-08-07T09:51:35.470-05:00Glad to have a female comment! Thanks again for yo...Glad to have a female comment! Thanks again for your thoughts.<br /><br />I'm on the fence about what you wrote -- I agree with the vast majority of it, but I'm also a great fan of the healing power of confession and healing within a community. Repentance and confession ISN'T always just between a person's heart and God. Sometimes sharing these issues gives others the opportunity to love MORE. But I do understand your point. People shouldn't need a guy to have another sex-change to accept him into their church-family.<br /><br />And you didn't sound disrespectful at all... You'll have to try a lot harder than that!Scotthttp://theunchurchblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-79324896816641438462009-08-06T17:16:13.197-05:002009-08-06T17:16:13.197-05:00Do you still want a female comment?
Joan's r...Do you still want a female comment? <br /><br />Joan's repentance is between her and God. It's none of the congregation's business what she's done in her past, and not their call to make, anyway. That's God's job. <br /><br />From a spiritual perspective, Christians should consider adopting the physician's creed:"First do no harm." If Joan is told that she must revert back to John, there's going to be some major damage to a certain 10-year-old. And that damage will, in turn, hurt Joan. <br /><br />So we have two hurting souls. For what? So a church body can feel "able" to accept this sinner into the family? God said, "Love one another." He didn't say, "Love one another as long as certain conditions are met." <br /><br />This hypothetical irks me because it ignores the profound miracle, the incredible and joyous event that is salvation! A celebration should be taking place!!! <br /><br />Instead, the beauty of this soul's acceptance of Jesus is completely overshadowed by the legalistic workings of the human mind. Instead of celebrating this precious GIFT from God, it's all about what Joan has to do to "earn" the right to be considered "repentant" here on Earth. <br /><br />God knows what's in Joan's heart, and He'll lead her to take the path He desires. Shouldn't we trust God's going to take care of this in His own way and to His satisfaction?<br /><br />(I just read over this, and it occurs to me that I may sound disrespectful or snotty. That is not my intention. I'm enjoying what I'm finding on this blog - it's like water to a dying plant!)Deborahhttp://dominodebi.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-16635062426850765902009-06-12T10:08:21.981-05:002009-06-12T10:08:21.981-05:00No offense taken, Garry.
It seems to me that part...No offense taken, Garry.<br /><br />It seems to me that part of what we're wrestling with here is the distinction between 'what must I do to be saved?' and the demands of discipleship. Of course, John/Joan might decide that Dr. Moore's 'prescription' is just more than he can deal with, and live out the rest of his life 'as a woman'; and still be welcomed into Heaven as a repentant sinner.<br /><br />And yet, moving from repentance into a life of discipleship demands more of the would-be disciple, and the 'pastoral' questions become more complex. Can one be saved while declining to enter a life of discipleship? There's a lot of warrant for saying 'yes'; but I wouldn't want to be standing before the judgment seat, having to say that I knew what I needed to do, and steadfastly refused to do it.<br /><br />And as soon as I say that, be clear that I understand that, on multiple levels, that is <i>exactly</i> the position I'll find myself in. Romans 7, and all that. . .<br /><br />See, the thing with these 'hypothetical hard cases' is that they tend to get us thinking all 'abstractly'. When maybe the lines we ought to be thinking along are more like, 'what would such a situation demand of <i>me</i>?' This particular question started looking a whole lot different to me when I actually <i>knew</i> someone who'd 'transgendered' herself. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-85670633172277102502009-06-12T07:32:54.963-05:002009-06-12T07:32:54.963-05:00Many of the comments here are the best evidence of...Many of the comments here are the best evidence of why we should let God be God and not us.<br />Craig make some good arguments for living a life of open-ness, expose our lives to the Light. Craig, like Joe, appologize if I misconstrued or twisted your comments. We are on the same side, the joy should be that a sinner has repented and the population of hell is decreased.<br />This question is designed to force us into a corner I think. We all have our thoughts on what should be done. It is similar to another 'real life' example, that of Jeffery Dahmer. Gruesome as he was and the things he did, he accepted Christ in prison about a year prior to being killed by another inmate.<br />God's Grace reached out to him and if my interpertation of scripture is correct, he is enjoying the worship around the Throne even now. <br />How can this be fair? Why would God extend His love to someone so dastardly as Jeffery? How can God extend His Grace to someone like Joan/John?<br />These are the wrong questions, I have to ask myself, why me? And the answer is because God is a just God. <br />Sin is what separates us from God, not big ones and little ones that cause the distance to be calibrated by the sin. Little sins cause little distance, big sins cause larger distance. Sin is sin and we are separtated from God because of it.<br />Repentence accepts Grace and Grace provides forgiveness. Forgiveness allows us back into communion with the Father. <br />What we do after that to make things right with the ones we've sinned against will be put on our hearts by the Spirit. <br />Ethics questions are always very hard. That is why I avoid having ethics. ;-DGarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11760953365512341105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-30089026314056050882009-06-10T13:14:51.704-05:002009-06-10T13:14:51.704-05:00Sin publicly, repent publicly. It's only fair....Sin publicly, repent publicly. It's only fair.Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-22570706295695023762009-06-10T09:55:07.421-05:002009-06-10T09:55:07.421-05:00Joe, I don't require you to confess your sins ...Joe, I don't require you to confess your sins publicly. . .<br /><br />;)<br /><br />But I do appreciate your explanation. I don't take your 'rhetorical' comments personally (at least, I try not to).<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder about the 'utility' of these 'arguments over hard cases', but sometimes they really can help us clarify things. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-25304931469422376842009-06-09T17:25:06.298-05:002009-06-09T17:25:06.298-05:00I was looking over the thread and I realized that ...I was looking over the thread and I realized that it appears like I think Craig is an ogre. Craig is smart and wise and I highly respect his opinions and judgements, including all those he contributed to this thread.<br /><br />I did not mean to suggest that Craig really consciously thinks or advocates that John needs to undo his surgery or that John is "harder to save", etc. It's just an analytical device, to recasting a question with different subject and object (pervert with tattoo vs transexual with breast implants, etc) to see if the logic holds together. Throw in a little ironic humor and heck, it looks like I think he's a monster.<br /><br />I was NOT trying to imply that Craig ha a heartless point of view. In fact he is kissing close to my philosophy on this whole matter. I just get overly excited in these discussions, and REDACTICUS is on an airlpane to California today. Got out of hand.<br /><br />Apologies to the whole assembly of unChurch sages.Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-67465245900274406092009-06-09T15:29:57.897-05:002009-06-09T15:29:57.897-05:00If all of us had to lay out all of our sins in pub...If all of us had to lay out all of our sins in public before we became Christians, well I bet the church would be smaller. Certainly you must confess your sins to God. Unfortunately many people can't handle the past lives of others. I don't need to know all of your transgressions and you don't need to know mine. To many times people feel like they have to get all of their problems straitened out before God will accept them. How sad. They don't get that from the bible. They get it from us. Jesus said "come to me all of you who are weary and have heavy burdens and I will give you rest." I have been in churches who have asked new christians to go back to their former mates to be in a "right relationship with God." How crazy and wrong is that. We can't solve our own problems, let alone those of others. In this situation I say let God figure it out. God offers salvation, not us. Show her/him the love of God and go forward. I know this may by hypothetical and put here for us to discuss. However it is a problem that churches have all over the world. We spend too much time trying to undo people and not enough time trying to help them know the Great Physician.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-85576643557058430252009-06-09T14:16:05.142-05:002009-06-09T14:16:05.142-05:00Re: rebellion and Isaiah 29:16
I am not too pleas...Re: rebellion and Isaiah 29:16<br /><br />I am not too pleased with the way God made me, and I would change some things if I could. I have defects and deficiencies I would eagerly change with surgery or medication if it were possible. God "made a mistake" on my daughter's teeth, and it cost me $4k for braces. And what if it had been boobs? Are we easing towards sin now? Afer all there are boobs involved so it must be bad...<br /><br />Am I less rebellious than John was, just because there is no surgery for me? Do I need to send out an announcement to be a good disciple of Jesus? <br /><br />Readers, give Craig a break. Weigh in for yourselves! Christi, I know you're reading this!!!Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-40541309637581664652009-06-09T14:03:29.589-05:002009-06-09T14:03:29.589-05:00Yeah, it is becoming "Unsearchable Soteriolog...Yeah, it is becoming "Unsearchable Soteriology 401". Short of revising everyone's entire body of the theology of salvation (on which we all seem satisfactorily agreed anyway) and sum up with the question: are we treating this paticular case in the same way we'd view all other cases. Ifwe are swerving in this case in a way we would not in other cases, it reveals hypocrisy.Eutychushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10410920152955587093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-44444862369948210982009-06-09T10:03:38.853-05:002009-06-09T10:03:38.853-05:00Also, there is repentance, and there is repentance...Also, there is repentance, and there is repentance. There is the repentance of, "Repent and believe". There is also the repentance of, "I screwed up; how do I make it right?"<br /><br />If repentance and salvation are always and necessarily that closely-coupled, then Lord have mercy on you and me when we snap at our wives. Washed in the blood as I am, I still need to repent. Often. Because I still sin, even if Sin isn't the 'determining factor' of my life anymore. I still need grace, and lots of it, to live a Christian life as I ought.<br /><br />But this is starting to feel like a much more basic 'theological' thing, touching on the nature of sin, and repentance, and salvation, and humanity, etc. more than just 'Transgenders and Jesus'. Which isn't surprising, I suppose. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-43730645190321254292009-06-09T09:45:50.911-05:002009-06-09T09:45:50.911-05:00Of course, being troubled and confused isn't, ...Of course, being troubled and confused isn't, of itself, a sin. But being a sinner (which, for the record, is all of us; just for the sake of saying so) often makes one troubled and confused. 'Darkened minds', and all that.<br /><br />And as re the 'rebellion', I think of Isaiah 29:16. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-77362394080630119082009-06-08T20:11:27.216-05:002009-06-08T20:11:27.216-05:00Ladies? LADIES???
Not a single lady has commented...Ladies? LADIES???<br /><br />Not a single lady has commented on this article, and it directly relates to a WOMAN! More or less...<br /><br />Come on girls, let's hear from you!Redacticushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03077915703297872763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-49455451532661655472009-06-08T20:09:10.556-05:002009-06-08T20:09:10.556-05:00So then...I guess he has to get his w**nie back af...So then...I guess he has to get his w**nie back after all, since whacking it off was an act of rebellion, and the rebellion continues so long as he is dismembered. How then can one still say that "how to repent" is a separate question from "how to be saved"? <br /><br />That rebellion bit was the weakest part of Dr M's position I think. It seems he is only calling this an act of rebellion because he is groping for <i>some</i> basis to qualify the sex-change as any sort of sin. Which one of the ten commandments does it jibe with most closely, after all? Which of Jesus' teachings does it defy? It is a stretch to begin with to say this is necessarily a sin, unless being a very confused, troubled person is a sin. <br /><br />I realize we are at a very difficult intersection cognitively as well as theologically, and we could just grab opposite ends of the stick an pull and pull.<br /><br />Again, you can tell <i>me</i> that "...to repent" and "...to be saved" are truly different matters, and I can process that and agree. I even think I made that point myself when I said you <i>can</i> conceptually separate them. But an average IQ is 100, and an average 50 year-old has no frame of reference for such razor thin distinctions. So, this guy Joan asks how to repent, and this pastor is saying you have to dump your whole life upside down, crawl over broken glass, and monogram a man's name on your pink golf bag. So...<br /><br />You do have to repent to be saved >> You do have to do all this to repent adequately >> so yes, Dr Moore most certainly is telling Joanie-John he must do this to be saved. <br /><br />Now, if he is correct, I say tell it like it is. But he is misunderstanding the nature of repentance, and it's probably because he is stumbling over the man-boobs.<br /><br />(How many of you have felt the instinctual urge to pray for this hypothetical person?)Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-33973431137028266812009-06-08T16:59:44.122-05:002009-06-08T16:59:44.122-05:00Actually, Joe, as I recall from Dr. Moore's ar...Actually, Joe, as I recall from Dr. Moore's article, the sin, at least as Dr. Moore describes it, would be a kind of rebellion against God, for having created him differently than he'd have wished. Which really does get to the point, and deserves to be addressed. The essence of discipleship is, 'my life is not my own', and sex-change surgeries (quite apart from questions of 'yuckiness') are pretty much expressive of the polar opposite of that. And so, when John/Joan asks, "What must I do to repent?" (a somewhat different question, by the way, than 'what must I do to be saved?'), a fairly early step in the way of repentance is acknowledging that God is one's Master, and one is no longer one's own Master. Which gets pretty close to the heart of the matter.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-60181431093916874992009-06-08T16:12:13.880-05:002009-06-08T16:12:13.880-05:00Re: Craig
We could conceptually separate Joan'...Re: Craig<br /><br />We could <i>conceptually</i> separate Joan's compliance with Dr Moore's prescription from Joan's "salvation". But in the real world that's kinda bogus. She asks "what must I do to repent", he replies with a very painful, life disrupting process with no constructive purpose. What has Joan really been told? "Save yourself."<br /><br />I am affirming that Love is above Law, and mercy triumphs over judgement.Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-6454481142966446252009-06-08T15:46:50.334-05:002009-06-08T15:46:50.334-05:00Re: RMW
Well, maybe inconsistency rather than hyp...Re: RMW<br /><br />Well, maybe inconsistency rather than hypocrisy.<br /><br />There is that glaring issue of the forgiveability of various sins, and I think this case illuminates that we seem to feel like this sin (homosexy, you know) is a "special case." But what <i>kind</i> of special case? It's certainly not a case of injury and restitution (Dr Moore never mentions any particular injury to anyone.) It does not disgrace the gospel, since this soul did their sinning as an unbeliever.<br /><br />Perhaps it disgraces...the pastor? Who feels like he must prove due diligence, must make sure that everyone understands he does not condone "that sort of thing"? And maybe prove it by raising some little extra obstacle to the kingdom of God? Hmmmmm?<br /><br />Frankly I just cannot imagine, if this "case" involved a couple of cute blonde college roomates, that this ever would have been considered an ethical or pastoral "dilemma", let alone an intransigent one. But a big 50 year old man with boobs? That's icky. So let's make him <i>pay</i> for <i>his</i> salvation.Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-46058117630681270782009-06-08T15:29:03.779-05:002009-06-08T15:29:03.779-05:00I am certainly not saying (and I don't think D...I am certainly not saying (and I don't think Dr. Moore is, either) that John/Joan's salvation depends on one or another specific course of action. And even if I think I have a wise, or just, or true, approach to a given specific problem, your salvation doesn't depend on doing what I say you should (or Dr. Moore). If I'm 'hearing from the Lord', you might be foolish to blow off what I think, but your life, and your choices, will always be your own.<br /><br />Pleasing God is a good thing. <i>Wanting</i> to please God is a good thing. Amen. And, as I understand Dr. Moore, he's trying to help John/Joan discern what 'pleasing God' might mean in a concrete sense. And isn't that something of the nature of the Church? Helping each other grow closer to God, and please Him better? Isn't that why there's even a Church in the first place - because it's hard to live the Christian life all by myself, and I need support, and wisdom, from my brothers & sisters, and God's work in their lives can strengthen me, and build me up?Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-54720298778515436752009-06-08T15:18:34.658-05:002009-06-08T15:18:34.658-05:00Let us remember that Dr Moore did not "choose...Let us remember that Dr Moore did not "choose" this case, he invented it. Why is it so difficult? Because he <i>thinks</i> it is difficult. Because we <i>make</i> it difficult, as we will tend to do.<br /><br />Believe. Repent. Love.Joe Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385756442506439825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-35048945785800062992009-06-08T15:18:18.657-05:002009-06-08T15:18:18.657-05:00Interesting ethics question but I'm not sure i...Interesting ethics question but I'm not sure it is overly illuminating as presented. <br /><br />The issue to me seems to be one of degree of sin as Dr. Moore appears to treat this situation and is the concept of degree of sin valid? In other words is sin equal sin or not equal depending on the sin?<br /><br />To my reading, the Bible states that there is 1 unforgivable sin which would strongly imply that all other sins are forgivable. In other words there is the implication that in God's eye all sins are equal or at least equally forgivable under the same requirments.<br /><br />So, if that is true, it begs the question of Dr. Moore, does he have the same requirements that he imposes on Joan/John for say a divorced person, someone who had an abortion, a liar, gossip, adulterer, chronic spreader of seed upon the ground? <br /><br />Would for example Dr. Moore require that a divorced person who is remarried leave their spouse and lead a celibate life since Dr. Moore treats his example as a continuation of a sin and lie which is also the case in divorce? <br /><br />Would he require that the children of such a union be brought forth and told they are "bastard offspring" in the name of Biblical truth? If not, then where is God's perfect justice in Dr. Moore's requirements? <br /><br />I tend to think that Dr. Moore most likely does not do these things which strikes me as hypocrisy.<br /><br />I freely admit I don't know what God's answer to this situation is but I also don't believe Dr. Moore knows either and in such cases I tend to thread lightly and not assume to speak for God.RMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04117835625701309564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-68463406457970470402009-06-08T14:51:00.674-05:002009-06-08T14:51:00.674-05:00Craig, I tried to resist responding quickly but ca...Craig, I tried to resist responding quickly but can't seem to do it. Your insightful question, "shouldn't resitution be made where it can?" is fully dependant on motivation, in my mind.<br />If, because I am now a believer, I want to make amends because I now want to be a 'Christlike person', yes, I should.<br />If, because I am now a believer, I can improve someone's life that I have wronged in the past because I want to be Christlike, yes I should.<br />If, because I have received much Grace I want to extend much Grace , yes I should because Christ did for me.<br />All these things and many more, because I have been forgiven much, I want to love much. Because Christ loved me much and I want to be like Him.<br />The Grace I receive is not dependant on how successful I am at actually doing these things.<br />Because Christ shows us a better way, we want to follow it.<br />By repaying that which I have taken (thanks for spelling Zacchaeus for me) by dishonesty. Because I know a better way, I want my body art to be gone or at least altered so that I don't advertise for the other side.<br />Good things I do are a result of what I believe and evidence of my Faith.<br />Where this question leads is to let someone else (Dr. Moore) determine if Joan/John(I) is going to be worthy of Christ in stead of Him.<br />Only if I'm willing to accept and do what you(Dr. Moore) think I need to do, will I(Joan/John) be acceptable to the Lord.<br />Should my faith lead me to do the right things, absolutely. If it doesn't, where am I?<br />Is Christ pleased by my, or anyone elses, desire to correct the past? I beleive the answer is yes.<br />Is my salvation dependant on my undoing all that I have done? If it is, I am in a bind.Garryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11760953365512341105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377834399139333410.post-87225262631998339692009-06-08T13:04:21.816-05:002009-06-08T13:04:21.816-05:00Garry, it occurs to me that sexual sins (and reall...Garry, it occurs to me that sexual sins (and really, sexual 'stuff' in general) strikes us so viscerally, because sexuality is so 'ontological' - so close to the core of our being. Not that sexual sins are 'worse', but they strike closer to our human core than, say, theft. All sins are not equal, though any of them makes us liable to Hell. . .<br /><br />Following on the Scriptural example of Zacchaeus, is it far-fetched to suggest that restitution ought to made, where it can? Perhaps the man with the pornographic tattoo should have it removed, or at least the 'pornographic' parts of it effaced. The thief should return what he stole, if he can. And the man who 'made himself a woman' (and of course, he can do no such thing; he can only mutilate the manhood with which he was created) could be construed as such a case; certainly, that is the gist of Dr. Moore's argument. . .<br /><br />Of course, Dr. Moore posed his 'problem' in the first place as a 'hard case', specifically designed, it seems, to explore the tension that can arise between Love and Truth. But of course, Love and Truth are not opposites, and the Christian, at bottom, ought to insist on both.<br /><br />'Stuff happens', for sure, and human sinfulness being what it is, the world can present us with some pretty intractable problems. But it seems to me that the way forward is not to force ourselves to choose between Truth and Love. We ought, rather, to look for the ways that satisfy both, and pray for grace to discern the 'hard cases'Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389193386974951036noreply@blogger.com