Position of the Providence Church Elders:
Homosexuality
The elders at Providence Church add our voice to the chorus of protest
over the Church’s antipathy toward the truth regarding homosexuality.
By and large this rejection of truth is rooted in the “enlightened”
Western Church, with its abandonment of Scriptural authority and its
egalitarian worldview. Our position is reflected quite well in the
Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches’ Memorial on
homosexuality (http://crechurches.org/html/memorials.html) which is
reproduced in its entirety below.
Homosexuality
Courage, Clarity, and Charity:
A Phoenix Declaration January 2003
As Christian ministers standing in the stream of historic Christianity
and rooted in the Evangelical heritage, we believe it is time to speak
with courage, clarity, and charity to the issue of homosexuality that
is besetting the Church at large. Confessing the Bible to be the
authoritative Word of God (Isaiah 40:8; Luke 4:31-32; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2
Peter 1:20-21), we believe that God has spoken clearly and sufficiently
to the issue of human sexuality. In accordance with this belief, we
must state that homosexuality in its varied forms, whether gay,
lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, is out of accord with God’s design
for human sexuality and is sinful, therefore, in the eyes of God
(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25; 19:1-28; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:22;
20:13; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy
1:8-10; 2 Peter 2:6-8). The only remedy for this, and all other sin,
is found in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11).
As ministers of this glorious gospel of God’s grace, who are striving
after faithfulness to God and His Word, we state the following as a
call to the Church to return to faithfulness in a spirit of repentance.
Courage
In our time, many who are recognized as clergy are calling for and
promoting a revision of the historic Christian understanding of God’s
Word concerning homosexuality. This teaching is out of accord with the
Bible and leads the flock of Christ astray. Such teaching arrogantly
overturns God’s holy standard dealing with human sexuality. Love for
Christ and His Church compels us to speak truthfully about that which
is false. Courage is needed to refute those who would call evil good
and good evil. The example and teaching of the Lord Jesus and His
apostles show clearly that false teachers are to be exposed and refuted
so that the Church is protected (Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17-18; Titus
1:9; 2 Peter 2:1-3). In an age that tolerates everything but the
truth, courage is needed to speak the truth in love in an
uncompromising manner.
Clarity
The Bible provides a clear and consistent teaching in opposition to
homosexuality. Modern attempts to subvert this clear teaching are
without substance. The Word of God must not be held prisoner to alien
philosophical or cultural agendas. If allowed to speak with its own
authority, the Biblical teaching is seen to be utterly opposed to
homosexuality and its attendant practices. Furthermore, the historic
testimony of Christian interpretation is in perfect harmony with this
position. Contrary to popularized agendas, the Bible and those who
have officially taught Christianity throughout the ages have recognized
the sinfulness of homosexuality. The interpretations of such teachers
as Athenagorus, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Lactantius, Eusebius,
Athanasius, Chrysostom, and Augustine are unanimous. The modern attempt
to revise the Biblical teaching, claiming Biblical and interpretive
support, is a theological and moral novelty.
Charity
Love for neighbor compels us to remind those who are caught in the
depths of sin that God in His holiness will not be mocked—He will bring
judgment against sin. It is not an act of oppression or hate to point
out the Divine condemnation of homosexuality. Rather, it is an act of
kindness. We are opposed to the ill treatment that many people in
favor of homosexuality have experienced; yet we deny that our
disagreement and presentation of the Bible’s teaching with regard to
this subject constitutes ill treatment, hatred, or bigotry. In speaking
the truth about the nature of homosexuality and God’s opposition to it,
we simultaneously hold forth the message of God’s grace. God can and
does forgive those who forsake the sin of homosexuality. God can and
does bring freedom from bondage and cleansing of conscience to those
who turn to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance (1 Corinthians 6:9-11;
Romans 3:21-26; 6:1-14; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews
10:19-22). It is false compassion to accept and affirm those who are
unrepentant in homosexuality. Charity demands that we speak the truth
about God’s holiness and His gospel.