Eugene H. Peterson author Message Bible supports homosexual marriage
The author of the once popular Bible called - 'The Message' said he supported homosexual marriage but within days changed his statement to saying he didn't support homosexual marriage. A pastor has had many years to clarify the biblical position so when he was interviewed, he responded casually that he supported homosexual marriage. But then he realized that his translation would now be dumped - he retracted his statement. But is this retraction true?
Denny Burk, professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, remains skeptical about Peterson's commitment to a traditional teaching of the Bible.
"How does he square this 'biblical view of marriage' with admitting practicing gay people into church membership?" Burk wrote on his personal blog. "How is his view of marriage consistent with bringing openly gay persons onto his ministerial staff? These are the pastoral practices of one who affirms homosexual relationships, not of one who opposes them."
Despite clarifying that he does not support same-sex marriage, Peterson did reaffirm his support of gay relationships in his retraction.
"[Performing a same-sex marriage is] not something I would do out of respect to the congregation, the larger church body, and the historic biblical Christian view and teaching on marriage," Peterson said. But the implication is clear outside of the church he would.
"That said, I would still love such a couple as their pastor. They’d be welcome at my table, along with everybody else." Is the purpose to affirm them or to call them to repentance Eugene? Also, why does he have homosexual people on his ministerial staff?
