05.17.06

Response to Challenge

Posted in Uncategorized at 11:59 pm by Perry

For those of you who read my blog (unlike Hannah McKeever), you would remember that I posted an article defending Christian beliefs in light of the “Quad God” who was on campus. When I was on the quad the last day he was there I was able to stand in on the crowd and preach the true gospel of Jesus Christ. In doing so, I was challenged by a girl who confronted me on how I was any different than the “Quad God” after asking me if homosexuality is a sin (she was a lesbian, by the way).

This week that same girl wrote an editorial to The Guardian over our discussion and confrontation claiming that we as Christians talk a lot about God’s love but that she doesn’t see it when we say that homosexuality is a sin. In the article she mentions me by name many times and closes with a direct question to me:

“So tell me Poteet where is this ‘love’ that you are speaking of? I do not see it and I would like to know exactly where it is.”

Since I was asked a direct question I feel that I should answer. The question, though, is whether I should answer her directly through e-mail or if I should reply through the Guardian or both. I don’t want it to become a “back-and-forth” argument but I also want both her and the readership of the Guardian throughout our campus to know who God is and that His love reigns supreme.

I am asking for people’s opinions. Below is my response. Should I contact her alone or submit it to the Guardian?

Response:
Ms. Ewing, I had intended to end this discussion after my article in last weeks editorial section but I am more than glad to respond to your direct question.

I do not distinguish between sins. Scripture tells us that one sin alone was enough to be cast away from God’s presence eternity. So whether we are discussing the sin of stealing, lying, dishonoring our parents, or homosexuality we have all in some way at some time acted in disobedience to God and therefore are not worthy to know Him personally or be brought into communion with him in heaven for eternity. The fact is that every person was born sinful and sins daily because we are imperfect creatures unable to be as God is; this is the Christian doctrine known as total depravity which says that all mankind is sinful and unworthy of knowing God.

So, where is God’s love in this you ask? God’s love abounds because He created a way in which we can become holy and blameless before Him by trusting in the life, death, and resurrection of the Father’s only Son, Jesus the Christ. He could have left us in our sin and condemned us to hell and still have been a just judge because we broke his “law.” The whole situation is slightly ridiculous when you think about it; here we are as mortal imperfect humans shaking our fists at a perfect and holy God rebuking Him for not accepting us as we are while we blatantly deny the free gift of Grace given through Jesus Christ because we love our lifestyles more than we love God.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this issue in his letter to the church at Rome. He rebuked the church for questioning God’s actions and motives. If God exists, which He does, that he is the sole source of all that is good and holy. In God’s love he created man and when man sinned against Him in disobedience he went as far as to give his only begotten son as a living sacrifice to atone for our sin so that we could come into communion with God in heaven for eternity. Where is God’s love you ask? He gave His only Son to die to free us from our sins and you cannot see love? There is no stronger sign of love than sacrifice.

Please, do not let this “discussion’ become an arguing point. I am more than willing to meet with you personally if you would like to discuss this one on one.

Permalink