UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES
The Newsletter of Contend for the Faith, Inc
1 Chronicles 12:32

JULY 2004

Encouraging Words: Like Apples of Gold

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

It is a wonderful thing to receive notes of encouragement. We all love to hear words of appreciation from people we are trying to help.

I thought I would share with you some of the feedback I have received from those who appreciate this ministry:

"I enjoyed receiving your newsletters and often brought them to my theology classes when they pertained to the subject matter we happened to be discussing at the time. . . .

I want to thank you for being the one to pique my interest in apologetics that has led me to search for a deeper understanding of God and His Word. I have been on an incredible journey ever since I first heard you speak as a substitute in Sunday School class. Spiritually, I have grown incredibly, which has made me aware of how little I know even now. I look at others who can recite verses and I can only remember the gist of them at best, and I feel I started to seek Him diligently far too late in my life, though I considered myself a life-long Christian. I wish I had all the facts and answers arranged neatly in my head like so many devoted Christians do so that I could so eloquently stand up for my beliefs. I realize that just might not be my gift, but I know I have been blessed with people in my life at just the time God wanted them there who have started those cogs turning with a desire for knowledge, and they haven't stopped turning yet! . . .

I hope things are going well for you. Because you crossed my path briefly yet made such an impact on my life I remember you often. I hope this encourages you to continue the good fight as you contend for the faith."

Natalie in Texas

"Thank you so much for teaching our Sunday School class about Catholicism. My wife and I are former Catholics so the class meant a lot to us. We did not even realize some of the doctrines discussed since we were raised in the church.

It is always a blessing to hear your teaching when you come to our church. God bless you and your ministry."

Tom and Nancy

"How exciting to read the college student’s testimony of your ministry’s information and God’s wisdom and timing encouraging her before her own peers! . . .

I want to thank God for ministries like yours, because I know when questions arise, there is someone to ask who deals with issues like these on a daily basis.

Thanks for all your work and for sharing it with us. May the Lord bless you this year."

Kelly

"Thanks Dave, your resources have been very helpful."

Pastor JG

"You so awesomely bring the living Word into contemporary daily application. Thank you for your wonderful and unique service to God and His people."

Randall and Cheryl

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
UNDERSTANDING GAY RITES: RIGHT OR WRONG?: PART TWO

As I wrote last month, there are two main ways that homosexual activists argue for the acceptance of homosexuality: theology and ideology. We discussed theology last time, so this time we will examine the secular ideology that is used to try to defend same-sex “marriage.”

IDEOLOGY

The basis for almost all arguments in favor of “gay rights” is one simple claim – “people are born that way!”

This assertion is used as a club to beat down any moral objections to homosexuality. “You may not agree with it,” the activists say, “but people are born that way, so how can you say that their behavior is wrong?” This claim is usually followed by a charge from self-described tolerant, inclusive activists of “you’re a bigot!”

The “born that way” argument highlights a clear dividing line in the debate over homosexuality. One side says people live this lifestyle because of their nature, the other side says it is because of their actions. Another way to state it is being versus behavior.

Being is what we are and behavior is what we do. All of us are human beings by nature, with the two sub-categories of male and female. No one can escape this reality, and every person knows which category he or she falls into. Have you ever seen anyone in public staring at the doors to the men’s and women’s bathrooms, struggling over which one to go through?

A very reasonable question to ask, therefore, is this: Is there any such thing as a “homosexual”? When we are speaking of what people are by nature, I believe the answer is clearly and emphatically NO.

The activists disagree, saying that some people are born with a homosexual “orientation,” therefore their homosexual behavior is not wrong. The problem with this argument is that activists assume orientation justifies behavior. But is this the case with any other actions we can engage in?

Consider some other human behaviors. When someone lies often, we call him a liar. When someone steals, we call him a thief. When someone commits adultery, we call him an adulterer. When someone regularly drinks to excess, we call him a drunk. Yet which of these behaviors is excused by our society?

The man we call a liar is, by nature, a man who lies. The woman we call a thief is, by nature, a woman who steals. The man we call an adulterer is a man who is unfaithful. And the man we call a homosexual is a man who engages in homosexuality.

Of all of these behaviors, the only one eagerly accepted by some in our society is homosexuality. Why?

If someone says “I was born a liar, so don’t condemn me for my lies” would anyone agree? Should a thief be exonerated for his many thefts if he declares he was “born that way”?

The tactic of using orientation to justify behavior could also be harmful to homosexual activists. What if someone said, “I hate homosexuals, and I find fulfillment in beating them up. I can’t help it, this is my social orientation, I was born this way.” Would he be celebrated and affirmed by the activists based on his orientation?

There is no scientific evidence that homosexual behavior is biologically determined. Anyone who claims otherwise is either dishonest or ignorant of the studies. This is because homosexuality is about behavior, not being.

Another problem for the “born that way” crowd is that there are many individuals who move in and out of a homosexual lifestyle. They do not remain unalterably fixed as either “gay” or “straight.”

For example, there are hundreds of former homosexuals who have left this destructive lifestyle through the help of ministries like [1] Exodus International. They now live much happier and healthier lives because homosexuality is about behavior, not being.

Actress Anne Heche is most well-known for her two-year lesbian relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. But was Anne “born that way”?

Prior to Ellen, Anne was in a relationship with comedian Steve Martin. And since Ellen, Anne has married cameraman Coleman Laffoon and they now have a two-year-old son named Homer.

So which “way” was Anne born?

Interestingly, one website said of Anne, “Formerly one of Hollywood's most famous lesbians during her multi-year affair with Ellen DeGeneres, has announced her wedding plans to boyfriend Coley Laffoon - and plans to stay heterosexual for the rest of her life.” But how could she plan to stay heterosexual unless homosexuality is about behavior, not being?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel recently ran a story about local teen girls discovering “bisexual chic.” “The newest trend for teen girls isn’t wearing the latest designer jeans or driving a cool car, but declaring themselves to be bisexual.”

Some of the girls are kissing each other at parties because the guys like to see it. According to one high school boy, “Girls go for the whole mystery thing. And guys usually think it’s attractive. It’s a turn-on.”

The article then discusses “real” versus “fake” bisexuality. Are these girls just playing at this, or are they really bisexual? The very fact that this question is seriously discussed demonstrates that any girl could choose to engage in this behavior, and others can argue over whether she was “born that way.” The discussion can take place in a meaningful way only because homosexuality is about behavior, not being.

Same-sex “marriage” advocates think their secular ideology should settle this debate. Yet when one considers the reality of human nature and actions, one thing becomes clear: homosexuality is about behavior, not being.