GAY TRUTH

Was he against it, before he was for it? Is he really against it now? The ordeal experienced last week by popular author Eugene Peterson was agonizing to observe, largely self-inflicted, and virtually inevitable. You should pay close attention to it, for you might very well be next. The ordeal began with Peterson, one of the most influential authors among evangelical pastors , responding to two straightforward questions about homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service referenced homosexuality and same-sex marriage and then asked Peterson if his view on the morality of same-sex relationships had changed. Peterson was pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland for 29 years, before retiring in 1991. In his answer, however, Peterson said, “I haven’t had a lot of experience with it.” An earlier congregation where he served as associate pastor, included “several women who were lesbians,” but didn’t “make a big deal about it.”

In a recent interview with Religion News Service’s Jonathan Merritt, pastor, theologian, and author Eugene Peterson affirmed same-sex marriage and the spirituality of Christians who identify as gay or lesbian.  “I think that kind of debate about lesbians and gays might be over. People who disapprove of it, they’ll probably just go to another church. So we’re in a transition and I think it’s a transition for the best, for the good. I would perform a homosexual marriage ."  Peterson has tried to retract these statements claiming he usually responds to question in writing. But his initial responses betray sadly his drifting heart away from Biblical doctrine. His answers were clear and precise. To say otherwise, is to seek to protect his reputation rather than the gospel, hence he now says there will be no more interviews at all. Did his literary agents order him to issue his retraction? Yes, on the basis of his new book. Is it too late? Sadly, yes. Denny Burk, Pres

In a recent interview with Religion News Service’s Jonathan Merritt, pastor, theologian, and author Eugene Peterson affirmed same-sex marriage and the spirituality of Christians who identify as gay or lesbian. The first of Merritt’s two-part interview with Peterson covered the release of his newest book, his walking away from public life , and his thoughts about the fear of death . In the second interview, Merritt asked Peterson, who is best known for his popular paraphrase of the Bible “The Message,” about his stance towards gay and lesbian Christians and same-sex marriage. Merritt’s first question centered on the morality of same-sex relationships. Peterson answered by talking about gay people he had pastored over the years. Then he added,   “I wouldn’t have said this 20 years ago, but now I know a lot of people who are gay and lesbian and they seem to have as good a spiritual life as I do.  I think that kind of debate about lesbians and gays might be over. People who disa