People reject others because "the others" represent a perceived threat to their world view, or their own goals. The God I know loves unconditionally. He/she can be trusted with our love and brokenness. What a great God.
I am sorry this was such a difficult journey. I know my situation is different but you feel guilty and why is it happening when you should love me as I am. James I love ❤️ you and will be there in spirit if I can't be there in person to support you.
God is love. So True. He is also a righteous and holy God. He loves and he hates. God's wrath is his response to sin. He loves sinners but desires that they repent of their sin. Psalm 5 tells us that God "hates all evil doers". Romans 5:8 ""But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. . . . Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them” (Rom. 1:26–28, 32) Clearly, scripture condemns heterosexual and homosexual acts that are conducted outside of God's plan for marriage, between a man and a woman. " “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9–10, NIV). Not only are homosexual acts contrary to God's law, they are also contrary to natural law. Those who have a proclivity to homosexuality or a heterosexual who has a proclivity toward fornication, pornography or adultery are called to chastity, to purity. " “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). No, I'm not a homophobe, just a believer and follower of Christ.
Thank you for engaging. I’m responding not to argue, but to be clear about the purpose and values of this space: to honor the many who have been harmed by weaponized theology masquerading as love.
First, let’s name what’s happening here. Declaring “I’m not a homophobe” while listing off verses historically used to dehumanize LGBTQ+ people is a bit like saying “no offense” before insulting someone’s identity. It doesn’t make the message any less damaging. This kind of rhetoric, no matter how well-intentioned, has contributed to real harm—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I’m not here for that.
This space is not a debate club about the worthiness of queer people. It’s a sanctuary for sacred storytelling, rooted in lived experience and the expansive love of God. And my lived experience, backed by serious theological study, prayer, grief, joy, and community, is that God delights in queerness. I am a gay pastor who walks closely with Jesus. I’m not confused about either of those identities. God didn’t ask me to change. I met God more fully when I stopped pretending.
Your citations are not new to me. I’m not here to parse ancient Greek or Hebrew with people committed to seeing queerness as a sin. And I’m certainly not here to entertain weaponized Scripture offered without curiosity, nuance, or relationship. Because here’s what I know from the deepest part of my soul: God is love. God is just. And God is queer-affirming. Not in spite of Scripture, but through a deeper, fuller, Spirit-led reading of it. The so-called “clobber verses” have been dissected and discussed for decades. Scholars like James Alison, Matthew Vines, Kathy Baldock, Austen Hartke, and so many others have written extensively on why those interpretations are neither accurate nor faithful to the deeper arc of Scripture. If you're only reading through a lens that assumes condemnation, you're missing the radical, liberating heart of the gospel. Scripture isn’t a sword to be thrown at people. It’s a love story we’re invited into.
And let's be real: calling queer love “unnatural” is a tragically tired argument. Nature is bursting with queerness and Mother Nature would like a word with you. Wrasses, clownfish, and other species of fish transition their sex based on environmental needs. Seahorses? The dads carry the babies. Bonobos form same-sex pair bonds for social bonding and conflict resolution. Over 1,500 animal species have documented same-sex behaviors. Queerness isn’t against nature. It’s all over it.
Human history tells a similar story. Many ancient cultures not only accepted but honored same-sex relationships and gender diversity. Native Hawaiian culture recognizes māhū, a third gender identity. Various Indigenous North American nations honor Two-Spirit people. South Asian traditions acknowledge hijra as a sacred third gender. The idea that heterosexuality and binary gender roles are “natural law” is a colonial imposition. It is not divine design.
As for me? This is my story. My lived experience. I am a gay pastor, faithfully following Jesus. I know God not as a distant judge with a tally sheet, but as a tender Presence who met me in the closet, called me out into the light, and said: “Beloved, you’re finally home.”
So no, I won’t allow spiritualized shame to fester in this space. Not now. Not ever. You are welcome to wrestle, to question, to learn—but not to condemn. Not here.
Blessings to you as you continue your walk of faith. I hope someday it leads you to deeper curiosity, compassion, and the joy of meeting God in the people you were once taught to fear.
People reject others because "the others" represent a perceived threat to their world view, or their own goals. The God I know loves unconditionally. He/she can be trusted with our love and brokenness. What a great God.
Beautifully written.
May God continue to bless u for being u
🙏💗🙏
I am sorry this was such a difficult journey. I know my situation is different but you feel guilty and why is it happening when you should love me as I am. James I love ❤️ you and will be there in spirit if I can't be there in person to support you.
God is love. So True. He is also a righteous and holy God. He loves and he hates. God's wrath is his response to sin. He loves sinners but desires that they repent of their sin. Psalm 5 tells us that God "hates all evil doers". Romans 5:8 ""But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. . . . Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them” (Rom. 1:26–28, 32) Clearly, scripture condemns heterosexual and homosexual acts that are conducted outside of God's plan for marriage, between a man and a woman. " “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9–10, NIV). Not only are homosexual acts contrary to God's law, they are also contrary to natural law. Those who have a proclivity to homosexuality or a heterosexual who has a proclivity toward fornication, pornography or adultery are called to chastity, to purity. " “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). No, I'm not a homophobe, just a believer and follower of Christ.
Thank you for engaging. I’m responding not to argue, but to be clear about the purpose and values of this space: to honor the many who have been harmed by weaponized theology masquerading as love.
First, let’s name what’s happening here. Declaring “I’m not a homophobe” while listing off verses historically used to dehumanize LGBTQ+ people is a bit like saying “no offense” before insulting someone’s identity. It doesn’t make the message any less damaging. This kind of rhetoric, no matter how well-intentioned, has contributed to real harm—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I’m not here for that.
This space is not a debate club about the worthiness of queer people. It’s a sanctuary for sacred storytelling, rooted in lived experience and the expansive love of God. And my lived experience, backed by serious theological study, prayer, grief, joy, and community, is that God delights in queerness. I am a gay pastor who walks closely with Jesus. I’m not confused about either of those identities. God didn’t ask me to change. I met God more fully when I stopped pretending.
Your citations are not new to me. I’m not here to parse ancient Greek or Hebrew with people committed to seeing queerness as a sin. And I’m certainly not here to entertain weaponized Scripture offered without curiosity, nuance, or relationship. Because here’s what I know from the deepest part of my soul: God is love. God is just. And God is queer-affirming. Not in spite of Scripture, but through a deeper, fuller, Spirit-led reading of it. The so-called “clobber verses” have been dissected and discussed for decades. Scholars like James Alison, Matthew Vines, Kathy Baldock, Austen Hartke, and so many others have written extensively on why those interpretations are neither accurate nor faithful to the deeper arc of Scripture. If you're only reading through a lens that assumes condemnation, you're missing the radical, liberating heart of the gospel. Scripture isn’t a sword to be thrown at people. It’s a love story we’re invited into.
And let's be real: calling queer love “unnatural” is a tragically tired argument. Nature is bursting with queerness and Mother Nature would like a word with you. Wrasses, clownfish, and other species of fish transition their sex based on environmental needs. Seahorses? The dads carry the babies. Bonobos form same-sex pair bonds for social bonding and conflict resolution. Over 1,500 animal species have documented same-sex behaviors. Queerness isn’t against nature. It’s all over it.
Human history tells a similar story. Many ancient cultures not only accepted but honored same-sex relationships and gender diversity. Native Hawaiian culture recognizes māhū, a third gender identity. Various Indigenous North American nations honor Two-Spirit people. South Asian traditions acknowledge hijra as a sacred third gender. The idea that heterosexuality and binary gender roles are “natural law” is a colonial imposition. It is not divine design.
As for me? This is my story. My lived experience. I am a gay pastor, faithfully following Jesus. I know God not as a distant judge with a tally sheet, but as a tender Presence who met me in the closet, called me out into the light, and said: “Beloved, you’re finally home.”
So no, I won’t allow spiritualized shame to fester in this space. Not now. Not ever. You are welcome to wrestle, to question, to learn—but not to condemn. Not here.
Blessings to you as you continue your walk of faith. I hope someday it leads you to deeper curiosity, compassion, and the joy of meeting God in the people you were once taught to fear.