“Unveiling Immorality: Christian’s Duty to Confront Evil Within their Fellowship” Part Five
A recent headline in Christianity Today loudly proclaimed: “United Methodists Lose 1,800 Churches in Split Over LGBT Stance”[i] There is a growing trend for churches to embrace immorality rather than preach against it and discipline their members. In 2014 fifty-four percent of all Christians accepted homosexuality as moral behavior. This number increased between 60 and 70 percent for mainline faiths.[ii] While acceptance of LGBQT behavior is increasing within Christianity, 48% prefer not to attend congregations that discuss these issues. 21% desire to see more LGBQT people in church leadership. [iii]
No one should think this acceptance only occurs outside of conservative Christianity. One would be mistaken. Recently The Student Government Association of Abilene Christian University “passed a resolution, 19-17, in October 2022 recommending the removal of the phrase marriage is “between a man and a woman” “ from the university policy statement. In addition, an advocacy group Wildcats for Inclusion with more than 2700 supporters was formed. Though the university rejected these recommendations, it shows the extent of acceptance within the churches of Christ as well.[iv] As another example the Stamford Church of Christ in Connecticut accepts LGBQT members into full leadership positions. [v] A large Dallas area congregation recently split over these issues.
Homosexuality, fornication, and sexual sins are explicitly condemned in the both the old and the New Testament. Rubel Shelly, not known for being a stanch Christian Conservative, has recently published a book entitled “Male and Female God Created Them: A Review of LGBQT Claims” which I highly recommend for a biblical discussion of these issues. [vi]
What does the bible say about immorality within the church? This is explicitly explained in 1 Cor. 5:1-8. Summarizing: 1) “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” 2) 5 “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”3) “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are” and 4) “you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” Lest one thinks this is only about sexual immorality, it is not.
It should be clear from these passages that Christians should speak out against any evil immorality within their own fellowship. They must not condone or even associate with those that flout their immorality. Thus, those Christian communities condoning such behavior are wrong.
This is different from what our association should be with immoral non-Christians. The next essay that will address this issue and continue out subject “Morals and the Public Square.”
[i] United Methodists Lose 1,800 Churches in Split Over LGBT S…… | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
[ii] More U.S. Christians OK with homosexuality | Pew Research Center
[iv] ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy – The Christian Chronicle
[v] LGBTQ+ | Stamford CofC (stamfordchurch.com)
[vi] Shelly, Rubel. “Male and Female God Created Them: A Review of LGBQT Claims,” 2024. College Press, Joblin MO.