Sunday, December 8, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
As the Semester Ends...
Even though it has been a challenge, this semester I have really enjoyed taking this class, Gender and Identity. It has challenged my beliefs, but most importantly made me turn to scripture to back up my beliefs. Before this class, I would have said I had beliefs just because the Bible said so, but I would not have had scripture to back up my beliefs. This class has made me challenge why I believe what I believe. Then I had to write those beliefs on this blog for other to read who probably did not agree with my beliefs. I had quite a task in front of me.
Besides blogging, the heart of the class was discussion. This was very challenging for me. I consider myself an outgoing person, but in a classroom setting I am a little less outgoing. I also noticed I became even less outgoing when as I realized I might have been the only Christian with my views in the class. There were a couple students who made comments that may have meant they were Christians, or some people said they went to church a couple times, but our views were still different. I think I was the only one who believed what I believed. This made me doubt myself, a lot. This also made me rely on the Holy Spirit, a lot.
A couple times I was able to talk about Jesus and share the message of his love, and for 5-10 minutes while I worked up the courage to share I would just pray in my head. "God, speak through me." I worried I would say something that was not biblical truth. I wanted to represent God the best I could. I wanted to present the gospel in a powerful and real way. I'm sure there were some times that I said things wrong, but I'm also sure there were some times when God did speak through me. Those times made everything worth it.
Who knows if my comments in class made a difference in anyone's life, but I feel changed. I feel more confident in the truth if the Bible and in how Jesus has changed my life.
Besides blogging, the heart of the class was discussion. This was very challenging for me. I consider myself an outgoing person, but in a classroom setting I am a little less outgoing. I also noticed I became even less outgoing when as I realized I might have been the only Christian with my views in the class. There were a couple students who made comments that may have meant they were Christians, or some people said they went to church a couple times, but our views were still different. I think I was the only one who believed what I believed. This made me doubt myself, a lot. This also made me rely on the Holy Spirit, a lot.
A couple times I was able to talk about Jesus and share the message of his love, and for 5-10 minutes while I worked up the courage to share I would just pray in my head. "God, speak through me." I worried I would say something that was not biblical truth. I wanted to represent God the best I could. I wanted to present the gospel in a powerful and real way. I'm sure there were some times that I said things wrong, but I'm also sure there were some times when God did speak through me. Those times made everything worth it.
Who knows if my comments in class made a difference in anyone's life, but I feel changed. I feel more confident in the truth if the Bible and in how Jesus has changed my life.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The Open and Affirming Movement
In class we talked about a moment that is transforming churches across the country. It is called the Open and Affirming Movement.
Open and Affirming is an official designation of congregations and other settings within the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination affirming the full inclusion of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons (LGBT) in that setting's life and ministry. Meaning any LGBT person can become the pastor, a deacon, an elder, etc.
Here is a website that helps people find churches that are open and affirming. The website also lists 44 denominations that are open and affirming.
-> http://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/
There are 3 things I find wrong with this.
1) Jesus specifically says to keep his commands, and he commanded man to be with woman.
Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. "
These churches are setting aside one of Jesus's commands:
2) They are not viewing the Bible as truth. Plain and simple. If they fully believed in the Bible, they would not be open and affirming.
3) The churches identity now becomes that they are open and affirming and not centered on Jesus. I have visited the websites of these churches and most of them will list the title of the church and directly under it will say, "Open and Affirming, all are welcome!" The focus is no longer about Jesus, which is the purpose of the church.
Don't misunderstand me, I believe that any person no matter what should be welcomed and invited into church. That is what church is for! I think churches that have made people leave are not Biblical, but I also think promoting that it is okay to be gay, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender is also not Biblical. The number one thing that a church should stand firm on, in my opinion, is making sure they follow the Bible. I just don't believe open and affirming churches are doing that.
Open and Affirming is an official designation of congregations and other settings within the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination affirming the full inclusion of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons (LGBT) in that setting's life and ministry. Meaning any LGBT person can become the pastor, a deacon, an elder, etc.
Here is a website that helps people find churches that are open and affirming. The website also lists 44 denominations that are open and affirming.
-> http://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/
There are 3 things I find wrong with this.
1) Jesus specifically says to keep his commands, and he commanded man to be with woman.
Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. "
These churches are setting aside one of Jesus's commands:
Matthew 19:4-6: "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Jesus commanded man to marry women, unless one chooses to remain single, thus the churches are breaking a commandment.2) They are not viewing the Bible as truth. Plain and simple. If they fully believed in the Bible, they would not be open and affirming.
3) The churches identity now becomes that they are open and affirming and not centered on Jesus. I have visited the websites of these churches and most of them will list the title of the church and directly under it will say, "Open and Affirming, all are welcome!" The focus is no longer about Jesus, which is the purpose of the church.
Don't misunderstand me, I believe that any person no matter what should be welcomed and invited into church. That is what church is for! I think churches that have made people leave are not Biblical, but I also think promoting that it is okay to be gay, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender is also not Biblical. The number one thing that a church should stand firm on, in my opinion, is making sure they follow the Bible. I just don't believe open and affirming churches are doing that.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Oh really?
This was posted on the Pinterest board for my class. I don't think Jesus would say that. Let's look at some things Jesus did say to people in the New Testament:
Matthew 9:9-13
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me.” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
These are the words from Jesus. He calls the sinners, not the people who think they are great people. Jesus wants the people who know they are broken, and because of that, they know they need Jesus. He tells us not to judge others when we too are sinners. I am a broken sinner who is in need of a savior. It is hard to admit that, because in our world that is frowned upon. No one is supposed to admit their flaws, well that is not what Jesus says. We can't judge others when we are just as sinful.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Would your attitude change if your son came out as gay?
What a great video by Tony Campolo. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the video followed by a few of my opinions.
"When you know this person you see beyond gay, you see beyond lesbian, you see a person, and you fall in love with a person. And that is what we need to do."
---> The church has missed this! The countless sad stories we hear about this or that church that kicks out someone because they are gay, or doesn't make a gay couple feel welcome. That is wrong and not the point of a church. A church should welcome everyone.
"We act as though the genitalia of a person determines his or her entire personality. It is an important factor, it is part of my identity, but it isn't my whole identity."
---> I agree. I think the problem is when it does become a persons whole identity. That is when it becomes an issue. For a Christian, Christ has to be their identity, so when their gender goes before Jesus this is a problem.
"It's the real person hurting, and I believe wherever there is someone hurting, there is Jesus."
"I love the sinner, I hate the sin.... That is the opposite of what Jesus says, Jesus says love the sinner, but hate your own sin. And after you get rid of the sin in your own life, then you can begin talking about the sin in your brothers or sisters life.
---> I have said this before, and I apologize. I need to focus more on my own sin before I go pointing out other peoples.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Halloween: The Only Exception
Sunday, October 27, 2013
God Loves All
A friend of mine posted this photo on Pinterest the other day. Sadly, some people out there have said that God hates gays, and that is why this man made this sign. I don't believe that God hates gays, I believe that he loves everyone. There are so many verses in the Bible that talk about how God loves all people. In fact, the whole Bible is God's love story written to us. Some people probably think that by me writing this blog I am saying I hate gays, and that is 100% false. I do not love someone less based on their sexual identity. I also am not trying to be hateful in this blog. The goal is to explain what the Bible says because many Christians have gotten that wrong. If we all had it right, this man would not be holding up this sign.
Here is a perfect example of God's love for all. This passage was written for Israel. I think it sounds a lot like a love letter from God to his people.
"But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life." - Isaiah 43:1-4
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life." - Isaiah 43:1-4
I love this. Through every hard time, God will be there. God sees us as precious. God loves us. There is not one sentence that is filled with hate. God loves all.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Reply to Anonymous Comment
Hello readers! I wanted to reply to a comment on here so others could read it. Thank you to all who are voicing their opinions and partaking in dialogue with me on these topics! You and your opinions are appreciated! -Joy
Anonymous wrote this to me: Your entire premise of 'love the sinner hate the sin' is hurtful, and states that an entire part of someone's identity is wrong in the eyes of God. That could be a little upsetting. It shows that you haven't taken the time to sit down with someone who is gay and actually talk about their sexuality without trying to tell them that it's wrong or a sin. If you had done that, you would know that one person loving another person isn't a sin, even if they both happen to be of the same gender. Just listening to the other side can be helpful in so many situations, and I just think that this is one of them for you. You don't have to quote Jesus in people's faces. Put aside if it makes you uncomfortable and just listen to an LGBT person talk about their feelings, regardless of religion. I think you'll find there's very little sin involved.
My response: I actually have done that before. I have a couple friends who are a part of the LGBT community. I love getting to talk with them and I love even more listening to them because it does help me get to know them more. I also don't shove Jesus in their faces. The conversation of religion does come up occasionally, but I would never say straight to their face that they are a sinner, or be disrespectful. I love my gay friends. I love them just as much as my straight friends. Some of them, including both gay and straight, are Christians and some are not. For the ones who are not, it is not up to me for them to give their life to Jesus, that is between them and God.
I think I should have been more clear about one thing in this blog- looking at homosexuality as a sin only matters if a person is a Christian. If a person does not have a relationship with Jesus, then they would not understand this because the world's definition of sin and God's definition of sin are different. But if a person is a Christan and is gay, then you are right, maybe I should sit down with them and share with them where in the Bible it says homosexuality is a sin when acted upon. For this to happen, both sides need to be open to listening and trying to understand each other. I feel like each person could easily think the other was attacking them instead of loving them. If done in a right way I do think it is a good idea.
Also, you said, "my premise of 'love the sinner hate the sin' is hurtful, and states that an entire part of someone's identity is wrong in the eyes of God." As a Christian, someone's true identity is not their sexual orientation. My identity is not in the fact that I am a heterosexual. Yes, it is a part of me, just like the fact that I am a daughter, student, and friend are core to who I am, but they are not my identity. My identiy as a Christian includes 5 things all from 1 Peter 2:9-10:
1) I have been choosen by God
2) I am pitied by God
3) I am God's possession
4) I am a Holy Nation
5) I am a royal priesthood.
I think for Christians the term identity needs to be taken more seriously. Our identity is nothing of what we can do but all about what God did for us. (If you want to learn more about Christian Identity here is the article where I got this from: Article.)
Thank you again for your comments. I hope we will continue in this dialogue and be open and understanding together.
Anonymous wrote this to me: Your entire premise of 'love the sinner hate the sin' is hurtful, and states that an entire part of someone's identity is wrong in the eyes of God. That could be a little upsetting. It shows that you haven't taken the time to sit down with someone who is gay and actually talk about their sexuality without trying to tell them that it's wrong or a sin. If you had done that, you would know that one person loving another person isn't a sin, even if they both happen to be of the same gender. Just listening to the other side can be helpful in so many situations, and I just think that this is one of them for you. You don't have to quote Jesus in people's faces. Put aside if it makes you uncomfortable and just listen to an LGBT person talk about their feelings, regardless of religion. I think you'll find there's very little sin involved.
My response: I actually have done that before. I have a couple friends who are a part of the LGBT community. I love getting to talk with them and I love even more listening to them because it does help me get to know them more. I also don't shove Jesus in their faces. The conversation of religion does come up occasionally, but I would never say straight to their face that they are a sinner, or be disrespectful. I love my gay friends. I love them just as much as my straight friends. Some of them, including both gay and straight, are Christians and some are not. For the ones who are not, it is not up to me for them to give their life to Jesus, that is between them and God.
I think I should have been more clear about one thing in this blog- looking at homosexuality as a sin only matters if a person is a Christian. If a person does not have a relationship with Jesus, then they would not understand this because the world's definition of sin and God's definition of sin are different. But if a person is a Christan and is gay, then you are right, maybe I should sit down with them and share with them where in the Bible it says homosexuality is a sin when acted upon. For this to happen, both sides need to be open to listening and trying to understand each other. I feel like each person could easily think the other was attacking them instead of loving them. If done in a right way I do think it is a good idea.
Also, you said, "my premise of 'love the sinner hate the sin' is hurtful, and states that an entire part of someone's identity is wrong in the eyes of God." As a Christian, someone's true identity is not their sexual orientation. My identity is not in the fact that I am a heterosexual. Yes, it is a part of me, just like the fact that I am a daughter, student, and friend are core to who I am, but they are not my identity. My identiy as a Christian includes 5 things all from 1 Peter 2:9-10:
1) I have been choosen by God
2) I am pitied by God
3) I am God's possession
4) I am a Holy Nation
5) I am a royal priesthood.
I think for Christians the term identity needs to be taken more seriously. Our identity is nothing of what we can do but all about what God did for us. (If you want to learn more about Christian Identity here is the article where I got this from: Article.)
Thank you again for your comments. I hope we will continue in this dialogue and be open and understanding together.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
My Crazy Textbook
My textbook always portrays Christians in funny, inaccurate ways. This time it says Christians believe homosexual men can become heterosexuals by playing manly sports.
First lets talk about conversion therapy. The book states, "a more consequential example of conversion rhetoric designed to change a gender performance is the effort to cure homosexuality" (213). Then the book makes it sound like all Christians support this idea, and conversion therapy, and that is not the case. Dr. Rosaria Butterfield even stated that she did not support it in her lecture because the issue is not a sexuality issue, but an identity issue.
Then the book goes on to list activities that Christian organizations recommend for converting homosexual men to heterosexuals including:
-participating in sports
-avoiding activities such as art museams and operas
-spending more time with heterosexual men to learn their ways of walking, talking and interacting
-attending church
I want to say that as a Christian, I do not believe these things can change a person's sexuality. These things will only change the outside of a person, but will not change the heart. People can change whatever actions they want. They can stop doing what our society says is a "gay" action and do "heterosexual things", but this won't change their heart. Apart from Jesus, our hearts will never change, and we can never produce fruit in our lives.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5
Only though Jesus Christ could anyone have the strength and power to give up one lifestyle for another. Not by playing a manly game of football with other manly man, or by avoiding art museums. Actually, I hope my husband likes to look at art, because that is one of my favorite things! And I won't think of him as any less of a man for enjoying it!
"I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." - Philippians 4:13
First lets talk about conversion therapy. The book states, "a more consequential example of conversion rhetoric designed to change a gender performance is the effort to cure homosexuality" (213). Then the book makes it sound like all Christians support this idea, and conversion therapy, and that is not the case. Dr. Rosaria Butterfield even stated that she did not support it in her lecture because the issue is not a sexuality issue, but an identity issue.
Then the book goes on to list activities that Christian organizations recommend for converting homosexual men to heterosexuals including:
-participating in sports
-avoiding activities such as art museams and operas
-spending more time with heterosexual men to learn their ways of walking, talking and interacting
-attending church
I want to say that as a Christian, I do not believe these things can change a person's sexuality. These things will only change the outside of a person, but will not change the heart. People can change whatever actions they want. They can stop doing what our society says is a "gay" action and do "heterosexual things", but this won't change their heart. Apart from Jesus, our hearts will never change, and we can never produce fruit in our lives.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5
Only though Jesus Christ could anyone have the strength and power to give up one lifestyle for another. Not by playing a manly game of football with other manly man, or by avoiding art museums. Actually, I hope my husband likes to look at art, because that is one of my favorite things! And I won't think of him as any less of a man for enjoying it!
"I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." - Philippians 4:13
Friday, October 18, 2013
Transsexual Regrets Decision
Walt Heyer believes that no one can really change their gender. He tried to change from a man to a woman and realized it did not solve his heart issues. He had a rough childhood filled with neglect and abuse from his family. This made him wonder if he would be treated better if he was a girl. To me it seems like he was transitioning because of physiological and emotional abuse, not because he honestly felt like he was born in the wrong body.
As a teenager he took the female name Andrea West and began cross dressing. He says that he struggled against the feeling to be a women, but the feelings were something he could not turn off. He explained his sexuality, "I wasn't homosexual. I was having dates with girls, I never felt any desire to have relationships with men, so from the standpoint of my sexuality I was always heterosexual."
"That I think, too, is one of the...misleading factors. Most people consider transgenders to be homosexual and, from my experience...98 to 99 percent of the people who contact me are not homosexual...It's really a gender identity issue, not a sexual preference issue."
I think this is a great point he brings up. Just like Dr. Rosaria Butterfield, he talks about how his issue was not a sexual preference issue, but a identity issue. It is interesting to me that for both of them they had an identity issue when their identity was not in Christ.
In the midst of his transition, he got married and had two children.
"But the difficulty that I faced was that I couldn't shut the thoughts or the feelings off," he said.
His identity issue was not fixed, even when he was living as a women. He still felt a void. He still felt something missing. He turned to alcohol and his life fell apart. He wife left him and he lost his job. But he kept making physical changes hoping it would fix things. He got breast implants, began taking hormones, had electrolysis to reduce the hair on his face, and he had his genitals removed. He gave himself the name Laura and lived like this for 8 years.
Then two things happened. He began studying psychology and experienced the love of Jesus. He said he learned that a person can't actually change genders and that he was delusional.
He explained that by saying, "You're not born transgender, something happens in your childhood that causes you to not want to be who you are...And today the only thing that is...socially acceptable is calling yourself a transgender."
He said that while he was Laura he believed in Jesus, but struggled to be accepted by the church. He did not have a personal relationship with him before, but he thought he existed. There is a big difference, and that difference is head verses heart knowledge. At some point he said he found a church that welcomed him and loved him. The pastor of that church told him, "Our job is to love you and it's God's job to transform you."
"The church, what it did for me was it allowed me to really get to the point where I asked the Lord for forgiveness. I began to pray for forgiveness. And I realized that the critical point is understanding that you can accept Jesus Christ, but there's a point where that doesn't become real...until you're walking with Christ," he said.
"Because the real truth that Christ is alive is the fact that you see a transformed life. And so what happened in my life is that when I finally... got down on my knees and was working through these things many years after I had accepted Christ – probably 10 to 15 years after I accepted Christ – I finally felt that I was broken enough as a man that I got on my knees and prayed."
Now Heyer says he no longer struggles with his gender identity, is married again, and found happiness in the gender God created him to be.
Original Article http://www.christianpost.com/news/transsexual-returns-to-original-gender-after-relationship-with-christ-66932/
As a teenager he took the female name Andrea West and began cross dressing. He says that he struggled against the feeling to be a women, but the feelings were something he could not turn off. He explained his sexuality, "I wasn't homosexual. I was having dates with girls, I never felt any desire to have relationships with men, so from the standpoint of my sexuality I was always heterosexual."
"That I think, too, is one of the...misleading factors. Most people consider transgenders to be homosexual and, from my experience...98 to 99 percent of the people who contact me are not homosexual...It's really a gender identity issue, not a sexual preference issue."
I think this is a great point he brings up. Just like Dr. Rosaria Butterfield, he talks about how his issue was not a sexual preference issue, but a identity issue. It is interesting to me that for both of them they had an identity issue when their identity was not in Christ.
In the midst of his transition, he got married and had two children.
"But the difficulty that I faced was that I couldn't shut the thoughts or the feelings off," he said.
His identity issue was not fixed, even when he was living as a women. He still felt a void. He still felt something missing. He turned to alcohol and his life fell apart. He wife left him and he lost his job. But he kept making physical changes hoping it would fix things. He got breast implants, began taking hormones, had electrolysis to reduce the hair on his face, and he had his genitals removed. He gave himself the name Laura and lived like this for 8 years.
Then two things happened. He began studying psychology and experienced the love of Jesus. He said he learned that a person can't actually change genders and that he was delusional.
He explained that by saying, "You're not born transgender, something happens in your childhood that causes you to not want to be who you are...And today the only thing that is...socially acceptable is calling yourself a transgender."
He said that while he was Laura he believed in Jesus, but struggled to be accepted by the church. He did not have a personal relationship with him before, but he thought he existed. There is a big difference, and that difference is head verses heart knowledge. At some point he said he found a church that welcomed him and loved him. The pastor of that church told him, "Our job is to love you and it's God's job to transform you."
"The church, what it did for me was it allowed me to really get to the point where I asked the Lord for forgiveness. I began to pray for forgiveness. And I realized that the critical point is understanding that you can accept Jesus Christ, but there's a point where that doesn't become real...until you're walking with Christ," he said.
"Because the real truth that Christ is alive is the fact that you see a transformed life. And so what happened in my life is that when I finally... got down on my knees and was working through these things many years after I had accepted Christ – probably 10 to 15 years after I accepted Christ – I finally felt that I was broken enough as a man that I got on my knees and prayed."
Now Heyer says he no longer struggles with his gender identity, is married again, and found happiness in the gender God created him to be.
Original Article http://www.christianpost.com/news/transsexual-returns-to-original-gender-after-relationship-with-christ-66932/
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Transgender Individuals
In class recently we have been talking a lot about transgender issues. We have watched two movies and a documentary about people who transitioned from either male to female or female to male. All of the stories we have discussed have ended in tragedy, usually the person is murdered. I found a woman whose story did not end in tragedy. Janet Mock is a transgendered woman, meaning she was born a man and transitioned to a women.
Here is a link to her website:
http://janetmock.com/
Here is a link to her website:
http://janetmock.com/
Janet Mock is a writer, a transgender rights advocate, and the
former staff editor of People magazine's website. She has degrees from
the University of Hawaii and New York University’s graduate school of
journalism.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Q and A
Here are some of the questions asked by audience members at the lecture and some responses by Dr Rosaria. Some questions were asked multiple times in different ways, so I grouped the answers together. Keep in mind that I was taking notes, so everything is paraphrased. These are simply key points and takeaways from the lecture.
When did you convert from gay to straight?
-There are no conversions from gay to straight. The only conversion is a heart change that loves Jesus. The Christian answer to homosexuality is holiness. Love the sinner, hate our own sin. God didn't reveal his son to me to make me a wife and mother.
Can a practicing Christian be a practicing homosexual?
-Repentance is so important in the Christian life. Christians struggle with all temptations, but temptations are not sins. Jesus was tempted in every way. What you do with the temptations lead to sin. Yes they can be a Christian and struggle with homosexual thoughts and tendencies, but if they are choosing to stay in that lifestyle they don't fully understand the gospel. A person can not be repentive and have opposing views of the Bible, meaning they believe the Bible is not 100% true or has a holy origin. Sin only makes sense with a holy God. Our world views sin differently than Christians. God calls sin any part that is not submitted to Jesus. We have to obey even if we don't know why something is a sin. Adam and Eve were told to not eat the fruit, but they did not understand why. They ate it anyway and sinned.
The old testament also says we can't wear cotton and wool?
-She made a comment about how she is wearing yoga pants. We don't have to follow the old testament laws anymore, thus we don't follow the death penalty for homosexuality. Homosexuality is not the biggest sin. I do not defend or support discrimination. Homosexuality and homophobia are equal sins.
Audience member said that suppressing homosexual desires is damanging.
-God made you and God takes care of you. I appeal to a higher authority.
Did you let your sexual identity define yourself?
-Yes, I guess I did.
Many people asked about the Bible.
-If you don't read the Bible, you can't talk about it or defend it. When we read it we need to compare scripture. We need to read it in the context of who wrote it. A holy, flawless, timeless, and sovereign God would not create a book that was flawed or would condemn a whole people group. People in the Bible are not accused with out a gift of grace. This does not mean that heterosexuality is the solution to homosexuality. We are at fault for making an aggressive binary. Take away for tonight- your soul matters. Read the bible and decide for yourself.
A female audience member stated that going against their gay nature is going against how God created them, and thus being with a man would be a sin.
-Romans 1 does not define human nature. Genesis 2 does. We are all made in God's image. We are all born in original sin, and that sin is different for each person. "If sin doesn't feel good, you are doing it wrong." (Yes, that is a direct quote from the evening.)
When did you convert from gay to straight?
-There are no conversions from gay to straight. The only conversion is a heart change that loves Jesus. The Christian answer to homosexuality is holiness. Love the sinner, hate our own sin. God didn't reveal his son to me to make me a wife and mother.
Can a practicing Christian be a practicing homosexual?
-Repentance is so important in the Christian life. Christians struggle with all temptations, but temptations are not sins. Jesus was tempted in every way. What you do with the temptations lead to sin. Yes they can be a Christian and struggle with homosexual thoughts and tendencies, but if they are choosing to stay in that lifestyle they don't fully understand the gospel. A person can not be repentive and have opposing views of the Bible, meaning they believe the Bible is not 100% true or has a holy origin. Sin only makes sense with a holy God. Our world views sin differently than Christians. God calls sin any part that is not submitted to Jesus. We have to obey even if we don't know why something is a sin. Adam and Eve were told to not eat the fruit, but they did not understand why. They ate it anyway and sinned.
The old testament also says we can't wear cotton and wool?
-She made a comment about how she is wearing yoga pants. We don't have to follow the old testament laws anymore, thus we don't follow the death penalty for homosexuality. Homosexuality is not the biggest sin. I do not defend or support discrimination. Homosexuality and homophobia are equal sins.
Audience member said that suppressing homosexual desires is damanging.
-God made you and God takes care of you. I appeal to a higher authority.
Did you let your sexual identity define yourself?
-Yes, I guess I did.
Many people asked about the Bible.
-If you don't read the Bible, you can't talk about it or defend it. When we read it we need to compare scripture. We need to read it in the context of who wrote it. A holy, flawless, timeless, and sovereign God would not create a book that was flawed or would condemn a whole people group. People in the Bible are not accused with out a gift of grace. This does not mean that heterosexuality is the solution to homosexuality. We are at fault for making an aggressive binary. Take away for tonight- your soul matters. Read the bible and decide for yourself.
A female audience member stated that going against their gay nature is going against how God created them, and thus being with a man would be a sin.
-Romans 1 does not define human nature. Genesis 2 does. We are all made in God's image. We are all born in original sin, and that sin is different for each person. "If sin doesn't feel good, you are doing it wrong." (Yes, that is a direct quote from the evening.)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Dr Rosaria Butterfield Lecture (Part 1)
On Monday night Police officers stood guard as students, faculty, and outsiders entered the MSC Oval Theater. Dr. Rosaria Champagne Butterfield was introduced, and then she walked onto the stage. Many different people were in the audience including: homosexuality supporters, Christianity supporters, and some supported both. For some people, the shirt they wore placed them on a side, when the point of the lecture was to have a conversation, not a debate. Dr. Butterfield told her story of conversion to Christianity and then offered up the floor for a question and answer session.
Dr. Butterfield told her story beautifully, as if she was reading poetry. She was open and honest about her life. Not soon after she began her talk the front row of students stood up and took off an outer shirt to expose a white t-shirt with a saying written on it. Some included: you don't have to change, love wins, Rosaria does not speak for us, and more. They wrote these messages on their shirts before they even heard Rosaria speak. My question is, how would they have known what she was going to say? I think they made an assumption that her words were going to be hateful and rude to any person who identifies as a homosexual. This is completely understandable, since the media sometimes falsely and sometimes accurately portrays Christians in this light. Then as soon as she was done sharing her story they walked out peacefully and did not stay to ask questions or listen. I respect their opinions. I respect their right that they respectfully and silently protested, but I think they should have at least listened to her words. Rosaria was in their shoes before. She would have hated her new self only a few years ago. She said nothing disrespectful because she was that person.
What saddened me most about the night was the way the Christian group who planned the event did nothing to show their love and support for the students. Upon exiting the lecture the LGBT club and other organizations had tables with info set up, were playing happy music, and were there if people needed to talk. I believe that the Christian group should have done the same thing. In Dr. Butterfield’s book she talks about one of the hardest parts of leaving her past lifestyle was leaving the community. The LGBT community is like nothing I've ever experienced, even in the many church communities I have been a part of. They care for people and accept people in a way that is hard to describe. I had heard this from Dr. Butterfield’s book, but it wasn't until I saw it for myself that I understood. They gave hugs and passed out notes of encouragement to everyone walking out of the lecture. Christians could learn a lot about love, acceptance and community from them. As a Christian, I need to learn how to truly welcome everyone.
There are many things I learned from this lecture. I walked away heavy hearted and honestly saddened. This topic is so heavy, but I think the heart of the topic is love. It made me really ask myself am I loving people like Jesus did? Is the church? Jesus loves everyone. He loves everyone who was in that lecture no matter what their beliefs are. I have to take a look at my life and ask myself if I am also loving everyone the way Jesus does.
Dr. Butterfield told her story beautifully, as if she was reading poetry. She was open and honest about her life. Not soon after she began her talk the front row of students stood up and took off an outer shirt to expose a white t-shirt with a saying written on it. Some included: you don't have to change, love wins, Rosaria does not speak for us, and more. They wrote these messages on their shirts before they even heard Rosaria speak. My question is, how would they have known what she was going to say? I think they made an assumption that her words were going to be hateful and rude to any person who identifies as a homosexual. This is completely understandable, since the media sometimes falsely and sometimes accurately portrays Christians in this light. Then as soon as she was done sharing her story they walked out peacefully and did not stay to ask questions or listen. I respect their opinions. I respect their right that they respectfully and silently protested, but I think they should have at least listened to her words. Rosaria was in their shoes before. She would have hated her new self only a few years ago. She said nothing disrespectful because she was that person.
What saddened me most about the night was the way the Christian group who planned the event did nothing to show their love and support for the students. Upon exiting the lecture the LGBT club and other organizations had tables with info set up, were playing happy music, and were there if people needed to talk. I believe that the Christian group should have done the same thing. In Dr. Butterfield’s book she talks about one of the hardest parts of leaving her past lifestyle was leaving the community. The LGBT community is like nothing I've ever experienced, even in the many church communities I have been a part of. They care for people and accept people in a way that is hard to describe. I had heard this from Dr. Butterfield’s book, but it wasn't until I saw it for myself that I understood. They gave hugs and passed out notes of encouragement to everyone walking out of the lecture. Christians could learn a lot about love, acceptance and community from them. As a Christian, I need to learn how to truly welcome everyone.
There are many things I learned from this lecture. I walked away heavy hearted and honestly saddened. This topic is so heavy, but I think the heart of the topic is love. It made me really ask myself am I loving people like Jesus did? Is the church? Jesus loves everyone. He loves everyone who was in that lecture no matter what their beliefs are. I have to take a look at my life and ask myself if I am also loving everyone the way Jesus does.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Love the person, not the sin.
We live in a fallen world, so what can we do?
We can love. We can love people who have the same sins as us, we can love people who have different sins than us. We can love people who are Christians, we can love people who are not. That's what we can do. We can also hate the sin, but love the sinner.
Homosexuality is a sin, but it is not the heart issue for the person. I am a sinner, and Christians still love me. We have to do the same for others. We have to love them no matter what.
The world's definition of sin is completely different than the Bible's definition of sin. The Bible describes sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God's law (1 John 3:4). It is also defined as disobedience or rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7), as well as independence from God. The original translation means "to miss the mark" of God's holy standard of righteousness.
" 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." -1 John 3:4-6
As a Christian, I have to hold fast to my beliefs from the Bible even in this always changing world. Marriage is between a man and a women, but I am not the judge of people who choose to live outside of this. That is only for God to do. Our job as Christians is to show Jesus Christ to others by our love.
We can love. We can love people who have the same sins as us, we can love people who have different sins than us. We can love people who are Christians, we can love people who are not. That's what we can do. We can also hate the sin, but love the sinner.
Homosexuality is a sin, but it is not the heart issue for the person. I am a sinner, and Christians still love me. We have to do the same for others. We have to love them no matter what.
The world's definition of sin is completely different than the Bible's definition of sin. The Bible describes sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God's law (1 John 3:4). It is also defined as disobedience or rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7), as well as independence from God. The original translation means "to miss the mark" of God's holy standard of righteousness.
" 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." -1 John 3:4-6
As a Christian, I have to hold fast to my beliefs from the Bible even in this always changing world. Marriage is between a man and a women, but I am not the judge of people who choose to live outside of this. That is only for God to do. Our job as Christians is to show Jesus Christ to others by our love.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Halloween in the Binary
What an interesting video. The actors are playing a situation in which a boy wants to dress up as a princess for Halloween and his mom does not want him to. I wonder what I would do in this situation. Would I let my son dress like a princess? Would I be like one of the other moms and say it is just a phase and suggest he picks out a different costume? Our kids are placed in the binary, even in what Halloween costumes they get to choose from.
What is interesting is the girls are starting to break that binary. Girls are allowed to be super heros now, but only if they wear a skirt. Boys still do not have princess costumes made especially for them. I wonder if our world will ever begin to do that.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Salvation Army said what????
Salvation Army says "Gays Need to be Put To Death"
(Click link above to read the article^)
Wow.
No wonder Christians get a bad rap.
The above link is to an article my professor posted about the Salvation Army stating that gays need to be put to death. This article is absolutely horrible, sad, and makes me so so angry. I feel the need to defend Jesus here, because He was misrepresented. It really breaks my heart that the article portrays Christians as legalistic and judgmental toward the gay community.
This sentence really made me cringe, "Salvation Army went on record recently, stating that LGBTQ parents should be put to death as the bible instructs"
First of all, that is not Christian theology. They are really missing the heart of what Christianity is all about. As Christians, all sins are equal, so he might as well just have said all lairs should be put to death.
I would agree that sin leads to death, but this article misses the key point of Christianity-> Jesus dying on the cross to give us all eternal life. Romans 6 explains this in great detail, but this is the most important verse in my opinion:
"23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
All of us sin. All of us deserve death. But because of Jesus' gift to us, we can have eternal life.
Is lying a sin? Yes.
I lie, so do I deserve death? Yes.
Is being in a homosexual relationship a sin? Yes.
Does it deserve death? Yes.
But what is so amazing about Christianity is that Jesus took that penalty for us. When we decide to surrender our life to Him, we are trading in death for eternal life. God will accept anyone who comes to him in faith, no matter what their backgrounds are, and Christians are called to love and accept others no matter what. Telling someone they should die is not a form of love.
Andrew then uses Romans 1 to attempt to defend his beliefs. I think he probably should have kept reading. Romans 2:1 is all about how we should not judge others because we too are sinners.
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I don't understand how he left out such important information. Maybe the article edited out his words? I'm not sure, but if he really said exactly what he said, then I am sorry to all who have read that article.
(Click link above to read the article^)
Wow.
No wonder Christians get a bad rap.
The above link is to an article my professor posted about the Salvation Army stating that gays need to be put to death. This article is absolutely horrible, sad, and makes me so so angry. I feel the need to defend Jesus here, because He was misrepresented. It really breaks my heart that the article portrays Christians as legalistic and judgmental toward the gay community.
This sentence really made me cringe, "Salvation Army went on record recently, stating that LGBTQ parents should be put to death as the bible instructs"
First of all, that is not Christian theology. They are really missing the heart of what Christianity is all about. As Christians, all sins are equal, so he might as well just have said all lairs should be put to death.
I would agree that sin leads to death, but this article misses the key point of Christianity-> Jesus dying on the cross to give us all eternal life. Romans 6 explains this in great detail, but this is the most important verse in my opinion:
"23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
All of us sin. All of us deserve death. But because of Jesus' gift to us, we can have eternal life.
Is lying a sin? Yes.
I lie, so do I deserve death? Yes.
Is being in a homosexual relationship a sin? Yes.
Does it deserve death? Yes.
But what is so amazing about Christianity is that Jesus took that penalty for us. When we decide to surrender our life to Him, we are trading in death for eternal life. God will accept anyone who comes to him in faith, no matter what their backgrounds are, and Christians are called to love and accept others no matter what. Telling someone they should die is not a form of love.
Andrew then uses Romans 1 to attempt to defend his beliefs. I think he probably should have kept reading. Romans 2:1 is all about how we should not judge others because we too are sinners.
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I don't understand how he left out such important information. Maybe the article edited out his words? I'm not sure, but if he really said exactly what he said, then I am sorry to all who have read that article.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Genderless Baby
Parents in Canada decided that they are not giving their baby a gender. The parents claim that they do not want their child, Storm, to fit into the preexisting gender boxes that our society created. They argue that this allows Storm to grow up and be whoever it wants to be. This story came out in 2011 and caused a lot of drama, because the parents were defying and innovating the binary by rewriting it.
My question is why give a child more problems to deal with in their life time? Every child struggles to find their identity, so why give them more to question and more to be confused about? This is an extreme step to take to try and make a statement against the gender binary. I just can not help think about how the child will be made fun of all throughout growing up.
What are your thoughts?
My question is why give a child more problems to deal with in their life time? Every child struggles to find their identity, so why give them more to question and more to be confused about? This is an extreme step to take to try and make a statement against the gender binary. I just can not help think about how the child will be made fun of all throughout growing up.
What are your thoughts?
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Taylor Swift and Pitbull
This statement should not come as a surprise to anyone: popular culture promotes specific identities for men and women.
The world says that women's identity is in attracting and marrying a prince. The world tells men that their identity is rooted in sex, power, and wealth.
These messages are found in all media, but I will be looking at the lyrics of two music sensations-
Taylor Swift and Pitbull. I honestly like both of their music. I like blasting TSwift in the car with friends and I love dancing to Pitbull, but really thinking about the meaning of the lyrics makes me doubt my love for them, especially for Pitbull.
I'll start with TSwift. She portrays the gender binary perfectly by suggesting that love is the most important concern for girls. My textbook pointed out that a lot of her videos start at school or in an education setting and then she finds her man, they disappear into a castle, thus, placing love above education. I loved how my textbook phrased this- Taylor makes a very clear message, "Dress like a princess and be beautiful so that you can be the center of attention and attract and marry a prince. The result will be a happily-ever after." Do we want to continue pushing this message to all the girls out there?
Pitbull prescribes that men will only find happiness when they have sex with whoever they want and achieve material success. His lyrics and videos specifically suggest that he is entitled to sleep with whoever he wants, single women, groups of women, women with boyfriends, and women who don't consent. In many of his videos he is wearing a fancy black suit, driving a fancy black car, and then has women dancing all around him who only focus their attention on him. This is telling men that first comes wealth, then comes ladies. In this gender story, women become the objects that represent wealth and a man's identity. The video below truly disgusts me. Really, this is how we want our men to act?
The world says that women's identity is in attracting and marrying a prince. The world tells men that their identity is rooted in sex, power, and wealth.
These messages are found in all media, but I will be looking at the lyrics of two music sensations-
Taylor Swift and Pitbull. I honestly like both of their music. I like blasting TSwift in the car with friends and I love dancing to Pitbull, but really thinking about the meaning of the lyrics makes me doubt my love for them, especially for Pitbull.
I'll start with TSwift. She portrays the gender binary perfectly by suggesting that love is the most important concern for girls. My textbook pointed out that a lot of her videos start at school or in an education setting and then she finds her man, they disappear into a castle, thus, placing love above education. I loved how my textbook phrased this- Taylor makes a very clear message, "Dress like a princess and be beautiful so that you can be the center of attention and attract and marry a prince. The result will be a happily-ever after." Do we want to continue pushing this message to all the girls out there?
Pitbull prescribes that men will only find happiness when they have sex with whoever they want and achieve material success. His lyrics and videos specifically suggest that he is entitled to sleep with whoever he wants, single women, groups of women, women with boyfriends, and women who don't consent. In many of his videos he is wearing a fancy black suit, driving a fancy black car, and then has women dancing all around him who only focus their attention on him. This is telling men that first comes wealth, then comes ladies. In this gender story, women become the objects that represent wealth and a man's identity. The video below truly disgusts me. Really, this is how we want our men to act?
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Matthew Vines: The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality
Here is a video that my professor posted. I applaud Matthew for his many hours spent studying this topic. What a hard topic. Honestly, I wish I didn't have to do this blog for my class. The subject is hard to talk about. I am trying to do it in a loving way, and I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want Jesus to be known and his love to shine through these posts. Remember that I am not a seminary graduate. I am a junior in college trying to back up what I believe for a college class.
I believe the traditional view that Matthew describes in the beginning. But I also believe some of his other statements.
I believe it is unfair that gay couples are looked at as they "just want sex". As a Christian, we are called to love, not judge.
I believe that being gay does effect every aspect of one's life.
I believe that gay couples desire love and a family just as much as straight people do.
I believe gay couples can genuinely love each other. I don't doubt the quality of their love.
I believe that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of many sins, not just sexual sins.
I agree that Jesus took the place of the old testament laws, fulfilled the law, and became the new covenant.
I agree that gay people are just as much children of God as straight people.
I agree that straight Christians are not inferior to gay Christians, or any less broken.
I agree that Jesus does love outcasts, but Jesus loves the person, not the action.
It saddens me that Christians have played a role in the hurt and pain in gay people's lives. That is not my goal with this blog.
I understood where he was coming from when he talks about Romans 1:20-27, how they were sinning because they were heterosexual and then turned to homosexuality. I still do not understand if gays are born gay or become gay, that would effect his argument. I also don't understand - if this was the case and Jesus was okay with it than why wouldn't he of mentioned it in the bible? God is all knowing, so he would have known that this was going to be an issue. But instead he had Jesus say, "But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh." (Mark 10:6-8) Why didn't Matthew list this verse in his speech?
Why did Jesus never say that a man can be with a man and a women with a women?
I see Matthew's desire to have love and a family. I see how much he has been hurt that the church rejects what he desires, marriage between two men. I could never fully understand his pain. I know I desire the same things as him. I want to find love, I want to get married, and God may not have that in his plans for me. If I don't end up getting married, Jesus has to be enough for me. He has to be enough for me even if I do get married. Some things in this world I don't think we will understand until the day we get to Heaven. But I fully believe that if a person is living for Jesus, is running to the cross with all that they can, they will want to do everything they can for Jesus. When a person realizes how much Jesus loves them, when a person realizes how much Jesus has washed them clean, restored them, redeemed them, and gave them everlasting life, how could one not want to obey his commandments. This does not mean it will be easy to obey his commands, and we will all still mess up, a lot. This person will still stumble, this person will still be tempted and have hard days, but Jesus Christ died on that cross for us. For you, for me, for every single person that has lived or ever lived. He loves Matthew, he created Matthew, but he has a better plan for Matthew than this life. We will not know until Heaven why this is true, but we can know God is way bigger than any reason we could come up with.
I recently bought the book of the professor that I posted about earlier, Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. Matthew states in the end that the only people who don't support homosexuality are straight Christians. She is a great example of someone who was so active in the gay community, met Jesus, fell in love with Jesus, and then realized she had to turn from being gay. I am excited to read her book to better understand her point of view. I will be posting my thoughts from her book as I read it.
I believe the traditional view that Matthew describes in the beginning. But I also believe some of his other statements.
I believe it is unfair that gay couples are looked at as they "just want sex". As a Christian, we are called to love, not judge.
I believe that being gay does effect every aspect of one's life.
I believe that gay couples desire love and a family just as much as straight people do.
I believe gay couples can genuinely love each other. I don't doubt the quality of their love.
I believe that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of many sins, not just sexual sins.
I agree that Jesus took the place of the old testament laws, fulfilled the law, and became the new covenant.
I agree that gay people are just as much children of God as straight people.
I agree that straight Christians are not inferior to gay Christians, or any less broken.
I agree that Jesus does love outcasts, but Jesus loves the person, not the action.
It saddens me that Christians have played a role in the hurt and pain in gay people's lives. That is not my goal with this blog.
I understood where he was coming from when he talks about Romans 1:20-27, how they were sinning because they were heterosexual and then turned to homosexuality. I still do not understand if gays are born gay or become gay, that would effect his argument. I also don't understand - if this was the case and Jesus was okay with it than why wouldn't he of mentioned it in the bible? God is all knowing, so he would have known that this was going to be an issue. But instead he had Jesus say, "But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh." (Mark 10:6-8) Why didn't Matthew list this verse in his speech?
Why did Jesus never say that a man can be with a man and a women with a women?
I see Matthew's desire to have love and a family. I see how much he has been hurt that the church rejects what he desires, marriage between two men. I could never fully understand his pain. I know I desire the same things as him. I want to find love, I want to get married, and God may not have that in his plans for me. If I don't end up getting married, Jesus has to be enough for me. He has to be enough for me even if I do get married. Some things in this world I don't think we will understand until the day we get to Heaven. But I fully believe that if a person is living for Jesus, is running to the cross with all that they can, they will want to do everything they can for Jesus. When a person realizes how much Jesus loves them, when a person realizes how much Jesus has washed them clean, restored them, redeemed them, and gave them everlasting life, how could one not want to obey his commandments. This does not mean it will be easy to obey his commands, and we will all still mess up, a lot. This person will still stumble, this person will still be tempted and have hard days, but Jesus Christ died on that cross for us. For you, for me, for every single person that has lived or ever lived. He loves Matthew, he created Matthew, but he has a better plan for Matthew than this life. We will not know until Heaven why this is true, but we can know God is way bigger than any reason we could come up with.
I recently bought the book of the professor that I posted about earlier, Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. Matthew states in the end that the only people who don't support homosexuality are straight Christians. She is a great example of someone who was so active in the gay community, met Jesus, fell in love with Jesus, and then realized she had to turn from being gay. I am excited to read her book to better understand her point of view. I will be posting my thoughts from her book as I read it.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Lesbian Professor used to hate Christians, now she is one.
A lesbian professor hated Christians, and somehow became one. She is coming to USF on Monday October 7th, at 7pm in the MSC Oval Theater. She will be sharing her story, and then opening the floor for people to ask her anything. ANYTHING.
I had always heard rumors of how others were gay, then found Jesus and changed their ways, but has anyone met a real person that this has happened to? I haven't. I have always doubted that this was possible. This women was a professor who taught women studies, and had a serious partner. Why would she want to change her life so drastically? Why would she give up a life with someone she loved so much? She must of had to fall in love with someone else. She feel in love with Jesus, and it changed her life. This story fascinates me. In the beginning of the textbook, the word story was defined as how we understand each others belief systems and ways of living. This term is different from a theory. Theories can be easily dismissed as illogical, unscientific, and immoral, while stories can not be easily discounted. Before, I only knew of the theory that a person can have a complete life change after they fall in love with Jesus. But soon I will get to hear a true story of how this really happened to a person. After October 7th, this thought will no longer be a theory in my head, but will be a real story that I get to see for myself in person. That is why I would highly suggest you all do the same. Even if you can't seem to understand how a man named Jesus could completely change the life of one women, come ask her questions. Come listen to her story. Hear her story and begin to understand her beliefs and way of living.
Here is a recent article about her life:
Read full article
I had always heard rumors of how others were gay, then found Jesus and changed their ways, but has anyone met a real person that this has happened to? I haven't. I have always doubted that this was possible. This women was a professor who taught women studies, and had a serious partner. Why would she want to change her life so drastically? Why would she give up a life with someone she loved so much? She must of had to fall in love with someone else. She feel in love with Jesus, and it changed her life. This story fascinates me. In the beginning of the textbook, the word story was defined as how we understand each others belief systems and ways of living. This term is different from a theory. Theories can be easily dismissed as illogical, unscientific, and immoral, while stories can not be easily discounted. Before, I only knew of the theory that a person can have a complete life change after they fall in love with Jesus. But soon I will get to hear a true story of how this really happened to a person. After October 7th, this thought will no longer be a theory in my head, but will be a real story that I get to see for myself in person. That is why I would highly suggest you all do the same. Even if you can't seem to understand how a man named Jesus could completely change the life of one women, come ask her questions. Come listen to her story. Hear her story and begin to understand her beliefs and way of living.
Here is a recent article about her life:
Read full article
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
What the Bible Says about Women
In the gender binary that we live in, most people think men are more important than women. People argue Christianity says the same thing. From hearing about what goes on in our world, this is completely understandable. Women have had a lot of abuse from the church in history, but what people fail to know is that Jesus is one of women's biggest allies.
In the Bible, Jesus has never brought down a women. He has down quite the opposite. Every single encounter Jesus has with a women has been a positive one, where the women are elevated.
During the time that Jesus lived, women had basically no rights. Men could divorce them for no reason, were treated as property, and weren't even allowed to leave their house without a male escort. Jesus did just the opposite, and gave great honor to women. He taught women, he healed women, and he even saved one woman from being stoned to death.
One fact most people do not know is that women were the first missionaries sent out after Jesus' resurrection.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” - Mark 16:6-7
Jesus loved and respected women so much that he gave them the responsibility to be the first to go out and tell the great news! I understand how a person could say that religion does not always value women, but it would be a complete lie to say that about Jesus.
In the Bible, Jesus has never brought down a women. He has down quite the opposite. Every single encounter Jesus has with a women has been a positive one, where the women are elevated.
During the time that Jesus lived, women had basically no rights. Men could divorce them for no reason, were treated as property, and weren't even allowed to leave their house without a male escort. Jesus did just the opposite, and gave great honor to women. He taught women, he healed women, and he even saved one woman from being stoned to death.
One fact most people do not know is that women were the first missionaries sent out after Jesus' resurrection.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” - Mark 16:6-7
Jesus loved and respected women so much that he gave them the responsibility to be the first to go out and tell the great news! I understand how a person could say that religion does not always value women, but it would be a complete lie to say that about Jesus.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
What would Jesus say to Ellen?
I love Ellen. I love her show. I spent many nights last year with my roommate watching videos on YouTube of her stuff. I loved when she brought on Sofia Grace and Rosie. I have absolutely nothing against Ellen. This is an awesome video about what Jesus would say to Ellen if he was on her show. Feel free to comment your opinions!
Living in a Gender Binary
In class we learned that our world lives in a gender binary. This means that most of the world has views that a person can either be male or female, and nothing in between. The binary also stated that certain traits can only be given to males and different ones to females. For example, guys must be strong and very masculine and girls must be cute and fragile. The world says if a person has traits of the opposite gender than something is wrong with them.
I find there are some problems with this idea. I know lots of girls who like sports and guys who like Disney Princess movies. I know guys who are more emotional than girls, and girls who never shed a tear. Also, what about those born intersex, which means they have both male and female parts. Which gender do they fall into then? In the fallen world that we live in, the binary does not define our world. There are people who are not just male and not just female, but are somewhere in between. But I do not believe that is how God created us to be.
This topic is always hard to discuss. I don't know all the answers, so I turn to the Bible to get my answers. From the Bible I find the truths. A) God created us and has a perfect plan for us. B) God doesn't make mistakes. C) Thus, we can't be mistakes.
Psalm 139:15-16
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
I know the argument people are now thinking. A) If God created us perfectly B) If one believes people are born gay C) Then how can in be a sin to be gay?
There then must be a flaw in this equation. That flaw is created from the fall. I believe that God created people as man and women. I believe once sin entered the world (the fall), people were no longer perfect. Because of that, same sex attraction began to form.
I find there are some problems with this idea. I know lots of girls who like sports and guys who like Disney Princess movies. I know guys who are more emotional than girls, and girls who never shed a tear. Also, what about those born intersex, which means they have both male and female parts. Which gender do they fall into then? In the fallen world that we live in, the binary does not define our world. There are people who are not just male and not just female, but are somewhere in between. But I do not believe that is how God created us to be.
This topic is always hard to discuss. I don't know all the answers, so I turn to the Bible to get my answers. From the Bible I find the truths. A) God created us and has a perfect plan for us. B) God doesn't make mistakes. C) Thus, we can't be mistakes.
Psalm 139:15-16
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
I know the argument people are now thinking. A) If God created us perfectly B) If one believes people are born gay C) Then how can in be a sin to be gay?
There then must be a flaw in this equation. That flaw is created from the fall. I believe that God created people as man and women. I believe once sin entered the world (the fall), people were no longer perfect. Because of that, same sex attraction began to form.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
The message many gays and lesbians hear is that God hates you. See why this is 100% FALSE.
Sadly, when people think of a Christian's view of gays they think negative things. Hateful words may even be used.
But GOD and HATE and PEOPLE are never used in the same sentence. God doesn't hate people. God does just the opposite. He loves us so much that he sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us while we were still sinners. When I say sin, I am talking about anything that falls short of the glory of God, that is a lot of things.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8
So even while we were sinning, God still loved us enough to kill his son. I am a sinner. I will always be a sinner. Yet God still loves me. What makes me greater than any person who is gay or lesbian? Nothing. We are all sinners. I'm not saying the act of having sexual relations with the same sex is not a sin, but what I am saying is it is just as bad as all my sins. Yet GOD STILL LOVES ME. Thus, GOD STILL LOVES YOU.
My main goal in this blog is to make Jesus' love for all so evident. Every single person does not match up to the glory of God. I want to apologize to any person who has been hurt by the words of any church. I pray that this blog might change your mind at least a little bit. =]
But GOD and HATE and PEOPLE are never used in the same sentence. God doesn't hate people. God does just the opposite. He loves us so much that he sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us while we were still sinners. When I say sin, I am talking about anything that falls short of the glory of God, that is a lot of things.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8
So even while we were sinning, God still loved us enough to kill his son. I am a sinner. I will always be a sinner. Yet God still loves me. What makes me greater than any person who is gay or lesbian? Nothing. We are all sinners. I'm not saying the act of having sexual relations with the same sex is not a sin, but what I am saying is it is just as bad as all my sins. Yet GOD STILL LOVES ME. Thus, GOD STILL LOVES YOU.
My main goal in this blog is to make Jesus' love for all so evident. Every single person does not match up to the glory of God. I want to apologize to any person who has been hurt by the words of any church. I pray that this blog might change your mind at least a little bit. =]
Why make this blog?
This Fall semester I am taking a class called Gender and Identity. We will be studying from a text book called Gender Stories: Negotiating Identity in a Binary World by Sonja Foss, Mary Domenico, and Karen Foss. At least twice a week I will be blogging my thoughts about the text book, in class discussions, or other occurrences in my day that relate to the topic. At times this topic may be uncomfortable, but I'm excited to use it to glorify Jesus. This is quite a challenge, because when most people discuss gender and religion together negative things happen. In my opinion, both sides are portrayed inaccurately and unfairly. My goal of this blog is to bring to light how Jesus loves everyone, no matter what gender they give themselves. This class will also be exposing me to new concepts I have never heard or thought about, so I will use the blog as a way to process my thoughts on them. Feel free to post comments, because I will use them in my final paper for the class.
Thanks!
-Joy
Thanks!
-Joy
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