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South Carolina Episcopal LGBT Church Event: Inclusion or Expedience?

South Carolina Episcopal LGBT Church Event: Inclusion or Expedience?

By Ladson F. Mills III
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
March 19, 2105

It is a mistake to believe that a Biblical text says anything in and of itself contends Dr. Dale Martin the keynote speaker for the LGBT Inclusive Church Conference sponsored by the Episcopal Forum of South Carolina. All scripture is interpreted and reading and interpretation are human activities. That is not to say that text has no meaning but it needs to be interpreted by loving people.

Martin who is Woolsey Professor of Religious Studies at Yale University spoke with VOL concerning his upcoming talk for the March 21st Conference at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Charleston, South Carolina. As a scholar who specializes in New Testament and Christian Origin and the Social and Cultural History of the Greco-Roman World Martin will tell the attendees that modern conservative and orthodox Christians are less orthodox than they believe. Using scripture based on "what the text is saying" is a Nineteenth Century phenomena quite different from the manner used by the earliest Christians. St Augustine of Hippo stated that any interpretation of scripture that does not promote love of God and neighbor cannot be regarded as Christian. The problem Martin sees with today's conservative Christians is that they are the ones who are not true to the scriptural tradition.

Most of what Martin plans to share is contained in his 2006 book, "Sex and the Single Savior." The modern day concept of same sex unions which are based on love and long term commitment would have been foreign to writers of the Bible. Most anti-homosexual references are concerned with maintaining the social order rather than any concern over the immorality of same sex relationships.

One noted critic of Martin's view is Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and an expert in Pauline Theology and sexuality in the area of homosexuality as related to Christianity and the Bible. Dr. Gagnon has challenged Martin for overstating the case that the meaning of a text cannot be known. Gagnon counters that the meaning is often quite clear.

Less than a decade ago efforts were still being made to frame the debate in a way in which conservatives and liberals could at least engage one another. Liberals spoke of creating dialogue aimed at reconciliation. Conservatives were mystified as to why the Episcopal Church seemed always to act as apologist for an anything goes culture.

Often used as support for the debate was the disagreement between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien over the nature of marriage. Although their concern was not about homosexuality it was rooted in issues of the nature of the Christian understanding of basic human relationships. Lewis argued that civil government could make civil marriage whatever it chose, but the church cannot. Tolkien believed Lewis was wrong and that marriage whether civil or religious should be for one time only. Tolkien warned that Lewis's argument sounded more "like expedience than Christian Charity."

Lewis' later marriage to divorcee Joy Davidman has been used to support that the church's attitude on marriage has evolved. Pro same sex union advocates contend that if the church changed the nature of the sacrament once then it can do so again. Although these arguments are not without critics they provided a framework in which traditional Christians and revisionist could engage. Its failing is in understanding that reconciliation without repenting is negotiation and in negotiation those who hold power dominate.

The significance of the LGBT Conference exposes more than the Episcopal Church would care to admit and may explain the decision to present itself as the socially acceptable alternative to the "Metropolitan Church." The Metropolitan Church was founded in 1968 by Troy Perry specifically to minister to the LGBT community.

With the no longer assured support from the courts and with bishops increasingly reluctant to fund expensive and ever failing efforts to prevent dioceses from departing. TEC may be playing the only card it has left. The only radical idea that it has not yet embraced is a radical self evaluation. In the imagery of Tolkien what is being proclaimed as Christian love may in fact be only expediency.

Ladson F. Mills III is a priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He is retired and lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to Virtueonline

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