What About Michael Brown's ex-ex-Gays?

"Ex the Ex-s" by nakedpastor David Hayward

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Michael Brown doesn't come right out and say homosexuality is a sin, but that the homosexual lifestyle is. This is more progressive than his counterpart would say just a decade ago. However, after reading his posts, even though he doesn't say homosexuality is a sin, he strongly implies that homosexuality is sinful, an expression of broken humanity that could and maybe even should be reversed. The major problem I have with Brown's writing is his assumptions that he projects on everyone else. Read his article What About Ex-Ex-Gays? to see what I mean. The thrust of his argument is that a change in sexual orientation is not impossible, therefore achievable, therefore desirable, therefore required. That's the impression I walk away from his article with.

Here are his six points:

  1. For every well-known ex-ex-gay, there are maybe thousands of unknown ex-gays.
  2. Ex-gay has a lot of different meanings, from gays abstaining from same-sex relationships to gays who've converted to straight.
  3. There are many reasons why people fail to change.
  4. There are a lot of unhappy homosexuals.
  5. We are talking about holiness, not heterosexuality.
  6. Humans are frail but we shouldn't compromise the gospel that is and always will be against homosexual practice.
I challenge Brown, even though we are on very different sides here, because he is not only popular and publishes on a popular website, Charisma News, but because he represents a huge portion of Christians and their opinions on homosexuality.

His assumptions are:

    1. The bible says homosexuality is a sin.
    2. The bible is absolutely right.
    3. Homosexual practice is therefore a sin and always will be.
    4. People are weak.
    5. If they are homosexual it's only because they think they are.
    6. If they don't change it is their failure.
    7. Those living a homosexual lifestyle aren't serving God or following Jesus.
    8. Practicing homosexuals are not holy and therefore will not see God.
    9. Homosexuals need compassion and patience but they still must change.
    10. Heterosexuals possess the grace and truth that homosexuals need.
It all hinges on Brown's treatment of the bible. It doesn't depend on his interpretation of scripture. No. His problem precedes that. It's a hermeneutical problem. He approaches the bible literally, factually, fundamentally, so of course he's going to read what he thinks. Rather than see it as a selected collection of documents written by ancient men and approved by ancient men thousands of years ago in a far away place and culture and worldview with its own social mores and religious mindsets and primitive understanding of sexuality and gender, he sees it as a document written by God and handed to us as a clear book of rules for all time where he conveniently finds himself on the right side. I suggest that until Brown's heart changes, his interpretation of scripture will not. I invite you to join us at The Lasting Supper, a place where you are free to be you and get encouragement for it!
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