To Judge or Not to Judge

Talking About Faith and Homosexuality

By: Laniaya Alesia Hoofatt

Posted: 4/12/07

On April 16, Spring Arbor University will host a discussion on faith and homosexuality in the Fireside Lounge at 10 p.m. The featured speakers at this event will be Dr. Ken Brewer, Dr. Robert Moore-Jumonville and Chaplain Ron Kopicko. Each speaker will talk briefly on various topics before opening up a question-and-answer session with attendees.

"I do believe this is an important topic for all Christians to understand how to apply biblical principles to questions relating to human sexuality. Also, there is confusion among Christians as it relates to what our response should be to those who are struggling with homosexuality. We hope to answer these and other questions on April 16," said Kim Hayworth, Vice President of Student Development and Learning.

The Bible will be the foundation for this discussion and these pieces of scripture may accompany some of the speakers' topics. I Corinthians 5-8, 6:9-20, Hebrews 13:4, Matthew 5:27-28, Romans 1:18-32, Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31.

It is clear there is a willingness on SAU's part to discuss this issue on how Christians respond to homosexuality, a subject that has been debated over and over in many different forums around the country.

Dr. Moore-Jumonville will be speaking on 'How can I be a friend to someone who is struggling?'

Chaplain Kopicko will be focusing on the topic 'Who are we to Judge?. "I'm not speaking about homosexuality, but about what the scriptures teach about people judging people vs. Christians admonishing other Christians. Very simple," says Kopicko.

Dr. Brewer a philosophy and religion professor will be discussing 'What does scripture have to say about homosexuality?' There are a number of reasons Brewer has been chosen to speak on this topic and he knows this is an important topic to address. He has had a personal ministry with the sexually broken in the past and present. Brewer has also written a research paper on homosexuality in ministry for a homosexual professor while he attended graduate school.

"I have a moderate position of welcoming homosexuals, but not condoning homosexual practice," said Dr. Brewer.

His basic argument is to show that there are two dimensions to this issue, theoretical and practical. Using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral to address the issue of homosexuality he concluded that every reference in scripture is negative and Christian tradition has been against the practice until the 1960s. The reason is mostly due to science that has spoken clearly on the issue. Brewer states that he has met practicing homosexuals, both Christian and non Christian, who are happy with their orientation and those who are unhappy. He states that he is not trying to overturn scripture and tradition based on insufficient evidence from reason and experience in his discussion.

"More important for me, however, is that gays have been hated, mistreated, misunderstood and unwelcome in the Christian church. I welcome any student struggling with gay orientation to conversation and ministry. This sin and resulting brokenness is no greater than other sins and brokenness. Jesus can and wants to heal the sexually broken. Jesus offers wholeness to all, including gays. So then, let the sexually broken come to Jesus. Just like other brokenness, healing of the homosexual soul takes time and will include much grace and much love. It is my dream that the Christian church would be a healing haven for gays and lesbians," said Dr. Brewer.