July 9, 2001
EDITORIAL:
Enough of sex; change the subject
___In some ways, denominations are a lot like men--preoccupied with sex.
___Researchers say American males think about sex every few seconds. Denominations don't seem much different, at least during this summer. Particularly, the parochial preoccupation has turned to homosexual sex.
___At the Southern Baptist Convention last month, no less than one of every five motions and resolutions introduced from the convention floor had to do with homosexuality. The topic grabbed the limelight during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's business session, as a pro-homosexual minority vainly tried to get the moderate group to soften its stand against homosexual practice and advocacy. Affirmation of homosexuals by some congregations fueled the "disagreements, differences and conflicts" cited by an American Baptist Churches document during that group's biennial meeting. Presbyterians argued passionately about homosexuality during their summer meeting, echoing themes heard in gatherings of Methodists, Episcopalians and Lutherans, to name a few.
___Closer to home, a charge that the Baptist General Convention of Texas is "soft on homosexuality" has been a persistent theme of adversaries, who have tried to lead Texas Baptist churches into the new Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Never mind that the charges are plain wrong: The BGCT consistently has upheld the biblical view of homosexual activity, clearly labeling it as sinful and outside the will of God. Still, the charges have turned Texas Baptists' thoughts to things they'd rather not think.
___So, why this preoccupation with sex?
___First, sexuality is deeply personal and intimate. People care about sex. Even when the topic is others' sex lives, the discussion speaks to the core of who we are, because God created us as, among other things, sexual beings. And even when the topic seems carnal and repulsive, it matters to us.
___Second, society still is in the throes of a sexual revolution. It may have started more than three decades ago, but it lingers still. And according to the media that bombard us daily, homosexual sex is a big issue. From commercials, to TV and movies, to music, to the lives of famous people, homosexuality is a constant theme. Some observers cite a gay-lesbian agenda to legitimize homosexuality in the public mind, and plenty of circumstantial evidence documents that claim.
___Third, sexuality is a religious, biblical issue for people of faith. Sure, it's a matter of personal identity and cultural relevance, but more than that, it's a subject of biblical concern. Gay-rights advocates say it's about justice. Other Christians, the vast majority of Baptists among them, say it's about clear teaching that God ordained sexual relations between one man and one woman in a faithful, monogamous lifetime relationship. So, people care because they want to be faithful to what God teaches through holy Scripture.
___All of this is important, of course. But can't we please change the subject? The world is inundated with too many more weighty issues--the eternal destiny of souls foremost among them--to hyperventilate over sex like a bunch of middle school boys who just saw their first sex-ed film. We've got better things to do.
___Keith Parks, former missions leader for both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, spoke wisely and eloquently to the issue at the CBF general assembly late last month. As participants debated a motion to suspend CBF's policy against homosexual practice and create a study committee to look at the issue, Parks insisted homosexuality "is not a big enough issue to spend next year focused" on it.
___The better course is to move forward with missions, evangelism and discipleship, Parks advocated. These issues are the big-agenda items worthy of the best efforts of all citizens of God's kingdom. We can spend every waking moment engaged in the effort to share the gospel and touch a hurting world badly in need of Jesus' love.
___But we'll never get started if we spend all our time thinking about sex.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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