Some may point to Jesus who was tempted yet without sin and remind us that temptation itself is not sin. They are correct. And yet Jesus, though tempted by Satan, never identified Himself by those temptations. But even if Side B Christians frame the issue in terms of temptation, I struggle to see it that way. Temptation is not sin until it is embraced or entertained within us. 

I’ve listened with appreciation to Gavin Ortlund’s discussions surrounding doctrinal triage. Like him, I think it is important to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary differences. But I was surprised when I heard him say that human sexuality is a secondary issue. In fact, he clarified by saying that whether a person affirms the traditional view of marriage as between one man and one woman is not a primary issue but a secondary one—important, but not essential.

I understand the impulse to limit the list of essentials to things like the doctrine of the Trinity, the virgin birth, the atonement, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, for example. But—assuming I have understood him—is he right?

If human sexuality is a secondary issue, then it is a difference we can live with, something like baptism. Think about that for a moment. We have Baptist and Presbyterian denominations because the differences between us on baptism—as on other issues—are important and cannot simply be set aside. And yet we have no difficulty coming together for missions and prayer. We do conferences together, and when there is opportunity we worship together.

But is all that true with respect to human sexuality?

There are those who profess faith in Jesus who are LGBT affirming. Is this a difference we can live with? Can we join together in missions and evangelism? Can we pray together and worship together?

To me the answer is obvious: not at all.

On this subject the Bible is patently clear and has been clear to Baptists, Presbyterians, and virtually all Christian denominations for generations.

But there is something more at stake. One of our essential truths is that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Those who are saved are those who look to Jesus for deliverance from sin. They are those who have more than the faith of demons who believe and tremble. They believe and repent. So when professing Christians are LGBT affirming, they are touching the doctrine of salvation itself. They are affirming that which the Bible tells us we need to be delivered from. Imagine an adultery-affirming Christian. How could you possibly bring together Christians who believe what the Bible teaches on adultery and those who, on the other hand, believe husbands may share their bed with other women? Both profess faith in Jesus, both insist they are loyal to Him, both call Him Lord, but only one actually lives in obedience to Him. What’s worse, those who affirm these things affirm the very things from which Jesus came to set us free. In doing so they deny the very gospel itself. Which is why it sounds ludicrous to speak of an adultery-affirming Christian.

And so, even if I shudder when I hear pejorative terms directed toward LGBT people, and even if I think we should be as kind toward them as we are toward anyone else, I don’t understand how we can affirm these things—nor do I understand how this can be anything less than a primary issue.

Perhaps someone might answer by pointing out that some Baptists think infant baptism is sinful, and some Presbyterians believe withholding baptism from the children of believing parents is similarly sinful.

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