Think about that and let it sink in! From my perspective Rev. Welby is exactly right. There are really only two answers now. We have achieved what I might call “full polarity” on the issue – each side saying with passion and full conviction that, “Being a Christian means…” A. That we cannot ever affirm same-sex marriage and still call ourselves Christians, or B. That we cannot really call ourselves true Christians until we all affirm same-sex marriage.

Every once in a while, when you least expect it, you hear someone say something that so resonates with you that you tell yourself,

That is exactly how I feel about what he/she is saying, and until I come up with something better, that is how I am going to answer every time someone asks me about that.

Such was my feeling and immediate response last week when my wife and I were hanging out together and listening to a podcast while she was painting her nails.

The podcast was called “Desert Island Discs,” and asks well-known people the question “What music, book, and single luxury item would you want to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island?”

As often happens in interviews about one thing, there is always a question about another thing that has nothing at all to do with the primary topic at hand. It is usually about a topic of controversy, and the interviewer typically knows in advance something of what the guest might say (or might not say, because they know that their answer will generate some greater level of controversy or discomfort).

Journalists are “great” at this tactic.

They ask you for an interview about apples, so you show up to talk about apples. But they begin the apple interview with a question about oranges since they have you there in the hot seat.  This is exactly what happened to Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, in his interview (about music he’d want with him on a desert island) with program host Kirsty Young.

As Young was talking with Rev. Welby about his life, ministry, travels, and musical preferences she asked him this question at the 7:12 minute mark:

“Let’s talk for a minute about same-sex marriage. You yourself have spoken against same-sex marriage. What do you think it is about homosexual relationships that should make them, in the Church’s eyes, inferior, less equal, not open to the same opportunities that you afford all the other brethren?”

I have to admit that I expected the typical stuttering attempt at a political answer soaked in the soup of erudition from someone in Welby’s position. Some might say that his answer actually was political. I completely disagree.

Welby answered calmly, fluidly, and naturally (which tells me that it is something he has been thinking about for a long time. Typically when you can answer something so comfortably, it usually means you are comfortable with your answer — and comfortable giving it).

Rev. Welby said —

“Um, I’m really not going to answer the question very well because we’re now in to conversations within the church, both globally and locally. And I think if I sort of weigh in at this stage it’s inappropriate. It’s something that, as you go round the communion (having visited all the provinces, I am very aware of this), that is seen by many as an absolutely central understanding of obedience to Christ in both directions — either in favor of, or against (emphasis mine).

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The link (URL) to the original article is unavailable and has been removed.]