Homosexuality Or Legalism--Which Is Worse?

Amos · #1 08-26-2007, 02:10 PM

On another thread, tv1a and RandyWayne are promoting the idea that legalism is worse and more difficult to overcome than homosexuality.

What say ye?

Amos · #2 08-26-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv1a
It may be better to cruise the gay bars for a youth pastor before checking out some of the churches for a youth pastor. Won't find much legalism in a gay bar.

This is the beginning of the line of thought.

Amos · #3 08-26-2007, 02:16 PM

I posted that I thought it was quite a stretch to prefer homosexuality over legalism.

This was RW's response, and my rebuttal.

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Quote:

Why not? The pharisees were the only ones that Jesus got truly angry with.

The spirit of homosexuality denies the power and ored of God and creation itself. In that dimension, it is more akin to the Saducees, who were completely unspiritual. Jesus had NO time for them. The Pharisees He did at least deal with, and salvaged some of them.

You will find nowhere in the Gospels where He spent any time working on a Saducee.

Homosexuality is a far bigger problem to deal with than legalism. At least with a legalist, you have a person who values the Word of God and can be taught.

Generally speaking, homosexuals totally deny the authority of God or His Word.

If this is a common conception--that homosexuality is preferable to legalism--then the movement is in worse shape than I thought.

That is a sick and totally twisted perception.

tv1a · #4 08-26-2007, 02:20 PM

I do question if legalists can be taught. Without going into detail, I've observed the best legalists make the best homosexuals. I shouldl go through the similarities between homosexuality and legalism, but I don't want to be accused of calling all legalists homosexual.

Sister Alvear · #5 08-26-2007, 02:28 PM

My Jesus help us...

Brett Prince · #6 08-26-2007, 02:30 PM

Again, speak truths about something, but then attach that title concerning that truth to people who do not fit the description, and then you can paint them in a bad line...guilty by association.

I'm sorry. I don't agree with Steve Epley on everything, but I do not see Steve Epley as legalistic. The same goes for Bros. Boyd, Groce, White, etc. Those of you who TRULY believe them to be legalistic DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THEM OR WHERE THEY STAND, HOW THEY VIEW THINGS.

You need to listen rather than label.

Sister Alvear · #7 08-26-2007, 02:30 PM

I really think the question is a little far out. The wording should be changed or something. I feel grieved in my spirit for some reason.
And I am off to church...

OP_Carl · #8 08-26-2007, 02:31 PM

The righteous are scarcely saved.

The legalists are preferable, for there is a chance that at least some of them will not be lost.

None will make heaven from a stool in a gay bar.

Amos · #9 08-26-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I really think the question is a little far out. The wording should be changed or something. I feel grieved in my spirit for some reason.
And I am off to church...

Dearest Sister Alvear,

I regret that you are grieved by this thread.

I was grieved when the assertion was made that "legalists," whatever they are, are worse off than homosexuals.

I wanted to have some serious discussion of the concept that was being espoused.

Please pardon if I was offensive in wording this thread. That was not my intention.

#10 08-26-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos

I posted that I thought it was quite a stretch to prefer homosexuality over legalism.

This was RW's response, and my rebuttal.

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

The spirit of homosexuality denies the power and ored of God and creation itself. In that dimension, it is more akin to the Saducees, who were completely unspiritual. Jesus had NO time for them. The Pharisees He did at least deal with, and salvaged some of them.

You will find nowhere in the Gospels where He spent any time working on a Saducee.

Homosexuality is a far bigger problem to deal with than legalism. At least with a legalist, you have a person who values the Word of God and can be taught.

Generally speaking, homosexuals totally deny the authority of God or His Word.

If this is a common conception--that homosexuality is preferable to legalism--then the movement is in worse shape than I thought.

That is a sick and totally twisted perception.

I share your concerns Amos. Romans 1 is a harsh condemnation against those who "turned the truth of God into a lie, worshipped the creature more than the creator, and left the natural use" of the opposite sex. They even went so far as to remove every thought of God from their minds.

I can also see the hideous, soul-crushing effects of legalism as well. Jesus seemed to address the issue of legalism on a fairly regular basis. It was a huge issue in His day. The Pharisees were using legalism as a tool to keep people away from right relationship with God. In this way legalism was perversion of another stripe.

There are similarities and I, for one, would not want to be in a position to defend either sin. Both sins lead to separation from God. The only real difference I see is that homosexuality is a personal choice that primarily affects the consenting parties while legalism can affect entire groups of innocent individuals whose only desire is to attain close proximity to Jesus.