THE PUBLIC MIND: MINISTER RESPONDS TO READER'S VIEWS ON HOMOSEXUALITY

To the Editor:

I find myself in the curious position as a Christian minister of being attacked by Christians for witnessing to the Christian gospel of Jesus' love and compassion. About the criticisms leveled against my theology I would offer two comments.

First, there are two ways one can approach the Bible. One can excerpt verses out of context in order to defend one's prejudices as divinely sanctioned. This method has been favored by defenders of such causes as slavery, the inferiority of women, anti-Semitism, racism and homophobia. According to this approach the Bible would even warrant capital punishment for homosexuals.

Another approach, which I favor, is to interpret the various books of the Bible as God's word spoken in particular historical situations and contexts. This more educated approach necessitates making careful distinctions between the message of the Bible in its original historical context and what Christian discipleship means today. Such an approach welcomes debate in discerning God's will.

Second, it is my core conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of God's love, mercy and acceptance of all people. Today, that means explicitly including among the beloved of Jesus those of a homosexual orientation. The radical inclusiveness of Jesus' love is exactly that which got him crucified in the first place. Here I stand.

Rev. Craig L. Nessan

Cape Girardeau