Dinner with the pastor again, lol

[drewcaine]

Notable topics:
1. You don't live any day to you abilities, he says; live them to God's Word.
My thoughts: If we are imperfect, then it wouldn't be possible to live our days FULLY to God's Word. Isn't that what Jesus Christ died for? That's why we must live and follow the Bible the best we can (in other words, to the best of our abilities).
2. When I told him that I enjoyed my same-sex...no, my relationship with my boyfriend (I didn't want to be base to it), and told him how hard it was for me to get over it, he stated that I was guilty because I "knew" that I had done the "wrong" thing and tried to find information to "justify" my "sins".
I did my best to go in an honest relationship, I truly loved Brandon, and I even avoided having sex with him because it was premarital and I didn't feel ready...I don't see anything sinful about that!
3. What would I do if my brother was gay?
I'd honestly guide him to the right and credible sources so that he can discover on his own the close-to-best truth about homosexuality that he can get. I want him to figure out on his own if that's God's plan for him, and to discover who he is without any negative influence (I care about my siblings very much, expecially my li'l bro).
4. Ephesians says that two men burned in their lust for eachother...I honestly don't recall that line of scripture, but it sounds to me like he got that mixed up with Corinthians, and Corinthians is about idolatry, giving in to passion, and pagan worship as part of homosexuality...no the responsible love. Anyone willing to help me out here?

If I recall anything else I'll post it on here.
Thanks for reading and reviewing,
drewcaine

[BrentRichards]

Notable topics:
1. You don't live any day to you abilities, he says; live them to God's Word.
My thoughts: If we are imperfect, then it wouldn't be possible to live our days FULLY to God's Word. Isn't that what Jesus Christ died for? That's why we must live and follow the Bible the best we can (in other words, to the best of our abilities).

Not at all sure what he's getting at here. But if in fact he says we're to be living to God's word (meaning the Scriptures), that's bibliolatry (making an idol of the Bible as a book). Perhaps he's referring to 1 Corinthians 10:31 "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. " ... if so, it seems non-sequitur at best. In fact, the context of the comment in 1 Cor. is matters of conscience ...the idea of not letting others condemn you for your moral choices enters in, interestingly.

2. When I told him that I enjoyed my same-sex...no, my relationship with my boyfriend (I didn't want to be base to it), and told him how hard it was for me to get over it, he stated that I was guilty because I "knew" that I had done the "wrong" thing and tried to find information to "justify" my "sins".

This is fundamentalist projection ... they spend so much of their lives in guilt for their imperfection, they assume the rest of us do, too. They cannot accept that anyone REALLY disagrees with their way of seeing things, so they posit that we really "know better" and have to find a way to justify ourselves. My response to this is simply that I don't need to justify myself to him, thank you. I'll deal with my relationship with God and you deal with yours. Don't read my mind and soul. The conflict is in his mind, not in yours or mine. Let him keep it.

I did my best to go in an honest relationship, I truly loved Brandon, and I even avoided having sex with him because it was premarital and I didn't feel ready...I don't see anything sinful about that!

I have a different word for that than sinful. I call it admirable!

3. What would I do if my brother was gay?
I'd honestly guide him to the right and credible sources so that he can discover on his own the close-to-best truth about homosexuality that he can get. I want him to figure out on his own if that's God's plan for him, and to discover who he is without any negative influence (I care about my siblings very much, expecially my li'l bro).

What a JERK! Honestly, Drew, I wouldn't talk to this guy any more if I didn't have to. Again, his assumption here is that what you are is shameful and you know it. So naturally, you wouldn't want it for someone you love. This is not an argument, it's just a taunt, and a very rude one at that. Beyond that, your influence on your little brother, supposing he knows or will some day know about your sexuality, is not therefore negative. Whether your influence is positive or negative will depend on whether your brother sees you living as who you are with integrity. Likely, this Pastor (and I use that term loosely) is suggesting you might "contaminate" your brother. For this kind of hateful and wrong-headed way of thinking, he does not deserve to be called Pastor. In fact, a sure way to "contaminate" your brother would
be to teach him by example to be ashamed and to hide ... whether he is gay or straight, an example of honesty is the right way!

4. Ephesians says that two men burned in their lust for eachother...I honestly don't recall that line of scripture, but it sounds to me like he got that mixed up with Corinthians, and Corinthians is about idolatry, giving in to passion, and pagan worship as part of homosexuality...no the responsible love. Anyone willing to help me out here?

He said this was in Ephesians? Where did he go to Seminary? This is Romans, and if he can't even place the "clobber" passages in their right books, I'm really not to interested in his interpretation of them. For some really good insight on the Romans passage, check out the "Wideness in God's Mercy" video in the Resources section of this site.

[drewcaine]

When I asked him is he went to a university for his "job", he said that-in my most accurate quotation, "If that's God's calling for you then he will equip you." Now I understand that it was probbie God's will for him to become a pastor, but I also believe that God will leave the education up to you. If you don't research then that's your problem, God (I don't mean to speak for Him, this is just how it looks to me) won't do all the work for you.
drewcaine

[Daniel]

If you're continuing to talk to this guy out of respect for your parents- and/or - trying to bring some illumination to the situation, then that's one thing. But if you are simply subjecting yourself to abuse- and it has the hallmarks of spiritual abuse- then it's time to call it a day.

You can always revisit the matter with this guy at a later date when you feel more secure.

But please- don't be a doormat!

[keltic63]

When I asked him is he went to a university for his "job", he said that-in my most accurate quotation, "If that's God's calling for you then he will equip you." Now I understand that it was probbie God's will for him to become a pastor, but I also believe that God will leave the education up to you. If you don't research then that's your problem, God (I don't mean to speak for Him, this is just how it looks to me) won't do all the work for you.
drewcaine

drew, you've been polite enough to not mention the name of this church. Is it an independent church, or part of a denomination? there are certain kinds of churches that view education, especially colleges and universities, in very low regard. the leaders of those churches tend to say things like this pastor has said, as well as things like "getting and education tends to move people away from God." (Yes, I actually heard a minister say that; it was an AoG church) I think there is some recognition by these leaders that the beliefs they hold are irrational, and that learning about God's creation eliminates those irrational beliefs. Unfortunately, their beliefs, right and wrong, are more valuable to them than discovering the truth and the full knowledge of God (at least what we can know of God while here on earth)

[drewcaine]

I don't know, it's called Shady Grove, a black church...I don't get involved in that kind of stuff so I really don't know. I don't think that it moves you away from God, if you're not in some institute that's corrupted.
drewcaine

[drewcaine]

I thought about stopping now.
drewcaine