Should gay people be accepted as members in the community of faith or ordained to church leadership?
The Revisionist Answer
The liberating ethic of love demands that a local church accept gays and allow them to participate fully in membership, including leadership. The Bible does not concern itself with the modern idea of mutually committed relationships of people who have been gay from birth. The Bible does not condemn such. It is obvious, then, that churches should ordain gay people for ministry.
The Biblical Answer
Ample evidence exists that the ancients knew and sometimes practiced gay relationships and mutuality. Paul’s discussion in Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, and 1 Timothy 1:8–10 must include this understanding of homosexual relationships. In addition, Paul’s vice list—including “homosexuals” (arsenokoitai)—occurs in a broader context of those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9–11) and who should, like the person involved in sexual immorality, come under the discipline of the church or be excommunicated if there is no repentance (5:1–6:11).
Homosexuals should repent, as should all those whose acts and lifestyles are condemned as an offense before God (1 Cor. 6:9–11). Obviously, ordination of homosexuals for ministry violates biblical teaching.
.
