[stokesjokes]

I think it involves a Bedazzler

[ATrain]

I think it involves a Bedazzler

Then I'm definitely not living that lifestyle

[JK37]

I don't know why some people think a church changing it's definition of sin, sex outside of biblical marriage, changes anything with a righteous God. He will deal with unrepented sin one day.

Hey, it is making a statement, "I'm too cool for school." I have much more respect for people who live the gay lifestyle, than those who know it is not biblical, but somehow pretending it is, just for the attention.

Ok, WHAT, precisely, IS the "gay lifestyle?" This term was thrown around a lot by the church in the 90's/00's, and is still used by a lot of older members of society.

I don’t know what it means when Flameshaw uses. But is there a different term you would use that you feel is better?

[ATrain]

Hey, it is making a statement, "I'm too cool for school." I have much more respect for people who live the gay lifestyle, than those who know it is not biblical, but somehow pretending it is, just for the attention.

Ok, WHAT, precisely, IS the "gay lifestyle?" This term was thrown around a lot by the church in the 90's/00's, and is still used by a lot of older members of society.

I don’t know what it means when Flameshaw uses. But is there a different term you would use that you feel is better?

Not sure there really is a term that's appropriate, as there is a vast amount of diversity in viewpoints, lifestyles, behaviors, etc... among people who identify as gay.

[JK37]

And that’s exactly what I thought you would say. In my experience those who haven’t taken the time to understand, address that diversity inappropriately.

[Class of 20Something]

I think it may be a poorly phrased differentiation between someone actively living and acting on homosexual desires vs someone that is same sex attracted, but treats their own desires as sin.

That's my take at least. Is your identity tied to Christ or being homosexual? Some of the best followers I know deal with SSA, but their identity is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is unfathomable how some Christians treat those brothers.

[Purple Haize]

Ok, WHAT, precisely, IS the "gay lifestyle?" This term was thrown around a lot by the church in the 90's/00's, and is still used by a lot of older members of society.

I don’t know what it means when Flameshaw uses. But is there a different term you would use that you feel is better?

Not sure there really is a term that's appropriate, as there is a vast amount of diversity in viewpoints, lifestyles, behaviors, etc... among people who identify as gay.

Fabulous?

[stokesjokes]

I think it may be a poorly phrased differentiation between someone actively living and acting on homosexual desires vs someone that is same sex attracted, but treats their own desires as sin.

That's my take at least. Is your identity tied to Christ or being homosexual? Some of the best followers I know deal with SSA, but their identity is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is unfathomable how some Christians treat those brothers.

Is this the same as side A vs. side B Christians?

@ATrain would “side A Christian” be an appropriate label? Sorry if that’s too personal.

[ATrain]

I think it may be a poorly phrased differentiation between someone actively living and acting on homosexual desires vs someone that is same sex attracted, but treats their own desires as sin.

That's my take at least. Is your identity tied to Christ or being homosexual? Some of the best followers I know deal with SSA, but their identity is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is unfathomable how some Christians treat those brothers.

Is this the same as side A vs. side B Christians?

@ATrain would “side A Christian” be an appropriate label? Sorry if that’s too personal.

You can call me a Side A Christian if you want, or a Christian who is Side A.

I am aware that some of us on Side A do treat those on Side B horribly, and that is unfortunate and definitely not Christ-like. On the flip side, both sides have received horrible treatment from Christians who are neither, and again, that is unfortunate and definitely not Christ-like.

[stokesjokes]

Reminds me of this quote from Preston Sprinkle:

“We can get the Bible right—but if we get love wrong, we’re wrong.”

[TH Spangler]

https://www.gotquestions.org/unrepentan ... ntant.html

[stokesjokes]

@TH Spangler , if you really want to engage in the debate, you have to do the work of understanding the Side A argument from people who hold that position. It does no good to throw stones about something without actually investigating it.

[TH Spangler]

@TH Spangler , if you really want to engage in the debate, you have to do the work of understanding the Side A argument from people who hold that position. It does no good to throw stones about something without actually investigating it.

Im not throwing stones? I've hung around here a long time, I like ATrain.

[stokesjokes]

Why post a link about “unrepentant sin?” It came off as a passive-aggressive swipe to me. My apologies if that wasn’t your intent.

[TH Spangler]

If I didn't like him I wouldn't have posted the link.

[ATrain]

If I didn't like him I wouldn't have posted the link.

Thank you for the link my friend. I am aware of that website, as it has been posted on the board before. However, we are just going to have to agree to disagree here. Our understanding of Scripture is very far apart on this, and it cannot be reconciled without one of us changing our perspectives, which is unlikely to happen. I appreciate your concern though, if I thought you were going to hell I would definitely try to help you change your perspective, just as you did with me.

[TH Spangler]

@Atrain What I think means nothing. But I kind a had you like this, "The other possibility is that people claiming to be saved yet living in unrepentant sin are saved but acting in disobedience—in which case their unrepentance is a temporary hardness of heart, and God’s discipline will eventually restore them to fellowship (see 1 Corinthians 5:1–5)."

[flameshaw]

I don't know why some people think a church changing it's definition of sin, sex outside of biblical marriage, changes anything with a righteous God. He will deal with unrepented sin one day.

Hey, it is making a statement, "I'm too cool for school." I have much more respect for people who live the gay lifestyle, than those who know it is not biblical, but somehow pretending it is, just for the attention.

Ok, WHAT, precisely, IS the "gay lifestyle?" This term was thrown around a lot by the church in the 90's/00's, and is still used by a lot of older members of society.

Living gay. Same as living straight. Not really that hard. I don't look down on gay people. They have a right to do what they want. I just can't twist it or spin it enough to make it biblical. It obviously is not.

[TH Spangler]

This is a significant development, the UMC is losing more than 1 million members.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/umc-ivory ... gbt-issues

Even more important is the fact that Methodism of the conservative/traditional variety is growing in the Ivory Coast. The UMC in the U.S., on the other hand, has seen years of decline.

[ATrain]

This is a significant development, the UMC is losing more than 1 million members.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/umc-ivory ... gbt-issues

Even more important is the fact that Methodism of the conservative/traditional variety is growing in the Ivory Coast. The UMC in the U.S., on the other hand, has seen years of decline.

Every denomination in the US is declining

[TH Spangler]

I hope our current State Department doesn't put sanctions on the Ivory Coast over this.

[rtb72]

This has been move for some time, the leaders just kept kicking the can down the road until the General Conference this year. The AME churches have long held a very conservative and outspoken stance on this matter. The Western churches mainly are the ones pushing the agenda. Same thing happened with the Presbyterian churches a while back. My previous church of nearly 20 years has opted to align with the "emerging" progressive church philosophy. In part for that reason, and because my family's former church had become more of a "who's who" club rather than mission minded....we are in our fourth year at a non-denominational church which has been great.

I have no ill-will toward churches that have chosen the progressive pathway, but I am saddened to see Methodist Churches like my childhood church which was nearly 200 years old changed so much.

[ATrain]

I hope our current State Department doesn't put sanctions on the Ivory Coast over this.

You actually think our State Department cares what a specific religious denomination in one country does independent of its government? You've been reading to much Left Behind, Illuminatti, Joel Rosenberg, etc...

[TH Spangler]

I hope our current State Department doesn't put sanctions on the Ivory Coast over this.

You actually think our State Department cares what a specific religious denomination in one country does independent of its government? You've been reading to much Left Behind, Illuminatti, Joel Rosenberg, etc...

Tongue and cheek brother ATrain.

You're right about declining church attendance in Western countries. I just listen to Dave Brat on TV discussing that with a guest.

[thepostman]

You know there are emojis available to clarify when you are joking.

I can never tell which conspiracy theories you believe and which ones you're just joking around about. So I can see how @ATrain was confused.

Church attendance is down and I have a ton of thoughts on it but not the energy to engage in that conversation on this board.