I do follow Scripture!!!

This is a copy of letter of response that I posted in a local newspaper. The letter that I wrote was in support of Abortion and Same-sex marriage. It had some responses in turn, but one stated that I did not follow scripture in my ideas or that I was too influenced by modern culture.


In approving of abortion and homosexuality, I am not departing from scripture. I am just interpreting scripture with the tools that I have been afforded by modern scholarship. I agree with Mr. Pynaker in that “God’s does not change” but I will have to add that our understanding of Him/Her does as we are only human and continue to evolve.

With this being said, scripture does not specifically condemn abortion. What we have are scripture verses condemning murder and out of this we conjecture that God wants us to protect the life of a fetus, but nothing outright reproaching what we have as the modern practice of abortion.

It is with this understanding that I cannot condemn the practice of abortion. As a Christian, I am required to love the person who has had an abortion, to meet her needs and give support in any way that I can. I do this because we are all sinners and I have no right to judge or condemn anyone because they do not live up to my own standards of what I deem to be righteousness or better yet self-righteousness.

As for homosexuality, scripture is very ambiguous as to its condemnation. It is unfortunate that we have to rely on those who translate scripture to interpret the vague words into an English equivalent. There is no word in Hebrew or Greek for our modern understanding of the practice of homosexuality. The words that are used could best be translated as, male temple prostitute or one forced into submission by another male. All forms of condemned homosexual practices in scripture have to do with Temple worship or rape; there is no modern understanding of homosexuality condemned in scripture.

Yes, I do admit that my interpretation of scripture meets the needs of a post modern world but this has been done throughout the history of theology started by the apostle Paul and carried on by Luther, Schleiermacher, Tillich and more recently Brueggemann.

As we gain more knowledge about our world, we need to be willing to move forward and meet the needs of humanity surrounding us. If we are not willing to change, Christianity will die. But if Christianity continues to breed ignorance, prejudice and hatred, maybe, just maybe this might be a better thing for humanity.

Because of my love for the church, I will continue in my search for truth, love and acceptance.