NASHVILLE STATEMENT

Liberia: In 1825, Liberia was founded as a free land for American slaves. Even before the American Civil War, more than 15,000 freed and free-born blacks, who faced legislated limits in the U.S., and 3,198, Afro-Caribbeans relocated to the settlement of Liberia, bringing their culture with them. The Liberian constitution and flag were modeled after the United States. On January 3, 1848, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a wealthy, free-born African American from Virginia who settled in Liberia, was elected as Liberia's first president after the people proclaimed independence.

FLAG OF LIBERIA

Last week the Nashville Statement (select to read it) was released with strong reaction from many sides. I was surprised to read how many evangelical Christians negatively responded to this very straightforward declaration. As John Piper stated in his positive response, this statement certainly brings clarity to the beliefs of evangelical Christians. But obviously by the response the statement is not unanimously accepted by all evangelicals. It is always more comfortable to live in the shadows and this statement no longer allows that. I would encourage you to carefully read the statement for yourself and make up your own mind if this statement indeed reflects the teaching of the Bible on same-sex and gender issues and your own convictions.
I agree with the Nashville Statement but the most difficult article for me is article 10 which says, "

WE AFFIRM that it is sinful to approve of homosexual immorality or transgenderism and that such approval constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness.

WE DENY that the approval of homosexual immorality or transgenderism is a matter of moral indifference about which otherwise faithful Christians should agree to disagree.

This article affirms that it is sinful to approve of homosexual and transgenderism as acceptable biblical behavior and goes even further to say that such approval is a departure from Christian faithfulness and witness. Some have taken this to be a statement saying that approval of these unbiblical lifestyles means the loss of salvation. Had the statement said that I could not have agreed but I can agree that the acceptance of homosexual and transgender lifestyles is more than a matter of preference and is a sin issue and disobedience for the Christian.

I want to close by sharing a video that really impressed me. It is an interview with a former Lesbian. It is more about the church and compassionate Christians than her past lifestyle. It also shows how true conversion can radically change a sinner. So I really want to encourage you to grab a coffee or tea or a glass of water and take the time to view and think about this video from Rosaria Butterfield. You will not regret the 40 minutes it takes. You will be challenged.