One of America’s most influential evangelicals, Brian McLaren talks about his shifting views on homosexuality, including presiding at his gay son’s marriage commitment ceremony.
Named one of TIME Magazine‘s “25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America” in 2005, Brian McLaren has been a personal and theological journey that has made him a lightening rod of the evangelical movement, especially regarding politics (he supported Obama) and “social issues” such as LGBT equality.
In 2006, McLaren famously suggested in Christianity Today, the news outlet of the evangelical movement, that, “Perhaps we need a five-year moritorium on making pronouncements [about homosexaulity]. … Being ‘right’ isn’t enough. We also need to be wise. And loving. And patient.” The mere suggestion of a “five-year moritorium” caused an uproar among the right and holy.
Last year, it was announced that McLaren had presided at a commitment ceremony for his son Trevor and Trevor’s partner, Owen Ryan.
Now, in a new interview, McLaren has opened up more about his personal and theological journey on the subject of homosexuality, including his relationship with his son:
He has lost his way. The bible is clear: Leviticus 18:22 “‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman it is an abomination. This is not to say I do not respect Gay people, but sin is sin and I sin also.
Andrew, I take it you observe all the other prohibitions in Leviticus, without exception? If you do not, I would be interested to learn which ones you have discarded, and on what authority.
There are lots of proclamations but very few have the word abomination ascribed. Also when you continue into the NT sexual sin is a big deal. Scripture commands to abstain from sexual sin. What do you think scripture means by this?
To start with, I believe that we (all humans) live under the care of a loving, protective and forgiving God. Jesus Christ came to earth to purchase our salvation (from a universally fallen state) through His own death, and to put in place a new covenant that replaces and does away with most of the OT. It follows that I am not too perturbed about Leviticus and its prohibitions, whether or not they are considered abominations. (As a matter of historical fact, Leviticus was inserted into the OT as part of the settlement arrived at after the invasion of the… Read more »
Yes there are many restrictions that I do not follow. Also the NT ushers in grace for mankind. Yet I’d like to ask you a few questions. Is the sexual attraction of one man for another normal? Is this psychology in line with the holiness of God? What was woman created for if not to love a man (vice versa). The NT warns to abstain from sexual immorality. Fornication is mentioned and in some instances is think it is used to describe male to male relations. I consider fornication anal sex and bestiality all sexual deviant behaviors. To sum up,… Read more »
Andrew WOW, I wrote a whole response and then the page refreshed and it was lost. Here goes again. I will start by answering your questions. 1. Same sex attraction is natural and is found in many species other than humans. Why would you think it unnatural? 2. The psychology of same-sex attraction is in line with the holiness of God because we are created in His image. To the extent that it may not be in line, that is a human thing, not a same-sex attraction thing. 3. Humans were created to love God. Woman was created as a… Read more »
His changing his views is acceptable and applauded by the liberals yet when Roe changed her views on abortion, she was chastised.
Since when is any person or group obligated to approve of all changes of views simply because they are changes of views, regardless of what the actual change was?
His changing his views is acceptable and applauded yet when Roe changed her views on abortion, she was made chastised. I guess it’s what people want, that makes a difference.
Note that he is no longer one of America’s most influential Evangelicals. This took place 8 years ago.
Not sure if he’s one of the most influential any longer.