Theology student ill prepared
Editor
Student Movement
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
Dear Editor:
I am disturbed by sophomore theology student Scott Atwater’s Nov. 13 letter, which takes issue with Cornelius Brantley. (Brantley had written, Nov. 6, about the “misinformation, bigotry, violence and discrimination” that minorities are subjected to, including homosexuals, and he suggested that churches stop condemning and start listening.)
Atwater says he sees a need to minister to homosexuals, but I respectfully submit that he is woefully unprepared to provide that ministry, due to his apparent lack of study into the issues.
First, the SDA Church only condemns homosexual activity, not homosexuality.
Second, let’s be honest—God’s opinion on “homosexuality,” the condition, is not “plainly written.” (Several texts mention specific activities.) Scripture is far plainer on its prohibition against wearing wool-blend suits! Claiming the Bible is clear when it isn’t undermines the honesty and integrity needed to open our minds to God’s will.
Third, scripture is very specific about the reasons for the destruction of Sodom. So is Ellen White, in her chapter “Patriarchs and Prophets.” Sexual sins were the least among the reasons for Sodom’s destruction—and homosexuality isn’t even mentioned.
But never mind proof-texting. What’s needed in our ministry to homosexuals is for us to listen first, study second (including the ever-unfolding scientific data) and pontificate last. Ministry means more than quoting Bible. It means caring enough to know the flock. It means study. It means honesty. It means erring on the side of compassion when answers don’t always come in black or white.
It is this kind of honest ministry that has brought many of our Church’s most respected theologians, college presidents and local pastors to a new understanding of homosexuality—and a new look at what scripture really does and does not say.... Given our growing scientific knowledge in this area, why can’t we, for now anyway, just accept the integrity of people who stand before God to “work out their own salvation” with fear and trembling?
In getting to know Adventist homosexuals (if a ministry is intended), a starting point might be to understand the significant contributions they’ve made to our church and its mission. At a Kinship camp meeting, someone asked all persons who had attended an Adventist college for at least two years to stand. They were then asked to raise their hands if they had served as student missionaries. Half raised their hands. Eighteen were interviewed for a story on gay Seventh-day Adventists in mission service, which appeared in the May, 1991 Kinship Connection. Others have served in other posts in our schools and in Adventist employment—including the ministry—at all levels of the church, including the General Conference (a fact, not a guess).
Maybe we should make an effort to understand these people before we judge the quality of their Christianity. We may decide—which is what I think Brantley had in mind—to help relieve some of the hurt, suspicion and isolation that they have come to expect from society and our church.
It’s discouraging to see that a theology student in the “caring church” can feel so qualified, while being so unread on social issues such as this. Perhaps this won’t happen when our churches and schools decide to get honest about sex education and to train our pastors on at least the facts of homosexuality, regardless of what they choose to teach on celibacy.
Sincerely,
Larry Hallock
Former seminarian
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Published in the Andrews University Student Movement, Jan., 1992
Maybe we should listen first, study second, pontificate last.