As to whether this is a legitimate area of disagreement among Christians, Allberry maintained that it is not.

First is the authority of Scripture. Here Allberry noted that even many non-Christian scholars recognize that the Biblical condemnation of homosexuality is real, not imposed on the text by tradition.

Secondly, acceptance of homosexuality results in the marriage of Christ and the church no longer being imaged by the institution of marriage.

Thirdly, there is the fate of those unrepentant (which is exclusion from God's kingdom, mentioned in I Cor. 6:9, I Tim. 1:9-10, and Jude 7-8). Finally, there is Jesus' disapproval of the toleration of sexual immorality in his words to the seven churches of Revelation (Rev. 2). These considerations then mean that disagreement about homosexuality is an issue of a different order than disagreement about, for instance, such doctrines as predestination, form of baptism, or the millennium, Allberry said. "Not taking a side on this issue is taking a side ... you have Jesus against you," he maintained. While some claim they do not want to "lose their platform for the Gospel" over the issue, "being unashamed of the Gospel means being unashamed of all of the Gospel."

On the question of whether faithful same-sex relationships could be acceptable, Allberry noted a church discipline situation in the New Testament, in which Paul says that a man living with his father's wife is absolutely wrong (he does not ask if the relationship was faithful). There may be some virtue, such as loyalty, in any relationship, but that does not make the relationship right. Discipline on this issue is hard and incurs condemnation, but is a "huge encouragement" to same-sex attracted persons trying to be faithful to Biblical commands.

Finally, as to whether the Christian condemnation of homosexuality is harmful, Allberry basically maintained that the Gospel is not wrong because people find it to be painful. While there is never an excuse for abusive language or behavior directed at same-sex attracted persons, the Gospel involves enormous "cost and blessing" for everyone. The Gospel is "highly costly and utterly worth it ... to turn to Jesus we have to turn many things away, many things that are precious to us ... but we never receive a bad deal ... if you think Jesus is a bad deal for someone, you are calling Jesus a liar."

In arguing for the virtue of chastity, we need to point out that the contemporary belief that human beings are primarily sexual beings is wrong, it makes sex into an idol, according to Allberry. The lack of sexual fulfillment is not the same as the lack of human fulfillment. Believing that sex is central to one's identity is more likely to make someone feel worthless than the Christian view that it is only one element in life. He pointed out the Bible sees celibacy and singleness as "a gift and a good thing in itself," although it "can be difficult."

Allberry further maintained that in our current sexualized culture, there is less ability to form "deep lifelong friendships" than in the past; these may wrongly be assumed to be sexual. The church provides opportunities for such friendships, when we treat church members as family members. The loving relationships in a committed church can be the "greatest evidence" for the Gospel, Allberry maintained. We are "never better off without the Word of God, and never worse off with it," he said.

END