The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

This is an old thread revived and the thread starter has not returned.

A useful rule of thumb is to ask your partner if it is OK. I keep out of relationships I think would be OK if it makes my wife uncomfortable.

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John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

Perfect def... Simplicity itself. I get the feeling that many evangelicals are paranoid on the subject. Good rule of thumb--both ways!

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

I have a slight acquaintance of a woman who is naturally bi, but has decided to live hetero and has married. She says she has to be careful with her friendships with other women.
The same could apply to some men.
I don't seem to have that inclination at all, and so I am not troubled that way by friendships with gays.

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John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

That's not exactly what I meant by "both ways." ROFL You're funny! Switching gears, homosexuality in the context of faith? What would Jesus do?
I'm guessing it would be friendly, like I am the way, the truth, and the life. Go and sin no more....

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

I like to mix humour with seriousness. It often defuses tense situations. And this is a serious issue.
There is a person on my chaplaincy course who is working to becoming a pastor of a church where many GLBTs attend. It is not a GLBT church, but is accepting of them. I expect their approach would not be acceptable to many members on this board, so it probably isn't a useful topic for discussion here. I am not out to push that barrow here.

PS. I do have a friend who laughs and tells me I am wikkid when I do these jumps.

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John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

Has that stopped you before? Go for it, dude!

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

That friend is a woman my wife is quite happy me being friends with. She (and her husband) put me up when I have to stay overnight for my chaplaincy course.

As far as the GLBT issue goes. My take on this is it is just one aspect of their personality. If we are judging (distinct from being judgmental) then if there is a yardstick then it is the greatest commandment and the one like (in my view inseparable from) it. GLBT is not the unforgivable sin that some treat is as (treat as distinct from say).

I have probably said enough for people to want to come and correct me (or discount my views altogether). My theology happens to be more towards praxis than theology. (There's a self-referencing phrase for you.)

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John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

PS

I'm not trying to push you at all. Whatever you are comfortable with, by all means follow. What I meant to say was that as a certified "homophobe" i'll stay out of it as a silent bystander if you wanted to continue it now. Sorry for any confusion...

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

The fellow who put his hand on my schoolboy knee in the railway carriage compartment said after I squirmed "Oh. You don't like that".

And the BBC Round The Hornewas a comedy program we used to listen to regularly at home -- "Hello. I'm Julian, and this is my friend Sandy." may ring a bell for some.

So i have not had any traumatising experiences, like TV shows would have you believe is the cause of cruel criminal behaviour.

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John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

???

You lost me there. I was speaking of the subject. I'm not going to get involved at this time. You're right, I would expect a spirited rebutal on this subject!


Btw,
napalm

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

As this is is in The Garage I would hope it would be possible to be a bit more open and relaxed, and less pressure to 'tow the party line.'

I tend to avoid men's groups as they seem a bit artificial, but YMMV. Perhaps it's my personality that finds talking to women easier, or perhaps its just that women are better at talking about feelings while it takes a lot to get men past talking about things.

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John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

I think the "never be alone together" is so trite and childish, like we can't control ourselves. However, I believe in my heart that statement is so true. I make it a practice to never be alone with another of the opposite sex. I have had relationships where my person cheated. Then you get to be the recipient of "well, we didn't mean for it to happen". My advice & two cents is let your female friend be your wife only.

John and Serendipity, If you wish to explore your conversation further you are most welcome to open another thread. While here in this thread please remain on the topic of the thread.
Thank You!

Well, the OP seems to have vanished but I like this discussion.

I mean, let's face it: nobody told animals how to mate. They know exactly what to do.

I think it's hard for (most?) women (and some men) to understand how powerful the attraction that a man feels for a woman can be. It leads many intelligent (and many not-so-intelligent men) to do seemingly idiotic things.

I'm the worst. By Jesus Christ's standards, I commit adultery almost every time I see an attractive women. And I see lots of them...everyday.

It's always too close -- and never far enough.

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Some say Jesus was not a pacifist...

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

Well I take Jesus' statement to mean that if I look with the intention of committing adultery then it's the same as doing it even if I don't succeed. Finding a woman sexually attractive doesn't mean that you intend any intimacy. That is just normal.
It's also quite normal to have fantasies. it's how you act and what your purpose is that affects your relationships with God, with significant persons, with the world, and with yourself.
You can get to feel if it's doing you harm.

_________________
John

My soul looks back in wonder at how I got over

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes