To put this into perspective, by insisting on identifying oneself with a specific sexual sin and to positively wear such terminology as “Gay” Christian or “same sex attracted” Christian” reveals a lack of shame of sinful passions, comfort with such passions, and embracing such passions. There are no other sins or sinful temptations that Christians use to publicly identify with to the point of proclaiming them to the world.

Several conservative Reformed and Evangelical churches and denominations are dealing with members who claim to be “Same Sex Attracted” (SSA) Christians.  Considering it to be a trait of love, they do not wish to stigmatize those claiming to be SSA.  This issue especially relates to those who may be candidates for ordination as clergy, elders, or deacons.  It affects those who are alleged to be Side B professing believers (same sex attracted but celibate), as opposed to those claiming to be Side A Christians (actively practicing same sex attracted individuals).

Unfortunately, the belief that all sins are equal, as opposed to a hierarchy of seriousness, tends to support homosexuality as no more serious a sin than any other sin, which in turn would support that these individuals can seek ordination to church office.  However, God created the hierarchy.

In the Old Testament some sins resulted in the death penalty while others resulted in a lesser penalty.  As to sexual immorality, two sins stood out as being exceedingly wicked with God calling one abomination or detestable and the other perversion.  The first related to homosexuality and the second to bestiality.  Definitely, explicitly harsh words! Indeed, there is a hierarchy of seriousness, which continues in the New Testament.  Sexual relations between parties of the same sex were among those punishable by death. However, the Church, as opposed to national government in the Old Testament, was not authorized to penalize physically.  Instead, the Church is instructed to excommunicate those guilty of serious sins for which they have not repented.

Homosexuality, in our day, has gradually and subtly been raised from wickedly abominable or detestable to softer terms such as Gay and same sex attracted.  Several churches and denominations have ignored James’ warning: “. . . don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?  Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4: 4). Churches dealing with the issue of ordination, such as the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), need to decide whose friend they wish to be—God’s or the world’s?

As for stigmatization, it appears God Himself stigmatized this sin in question with continued explicitly harsh words in the New Testament.  To stigmatize is to “describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.”  God, communicating through His Holy Spirit in His Word, definitely regards both homosexual sexual relations and desires/passions worthy of disgrace and disapproval. In Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians living in a pagan world, the Holy Spirit led him to use explicitly harsh words to identify this sin, e.g., degrading passions-shameful lusts, contrary to nature–unnatural, burned in their desire-inflamed with lust, committing shameful acts, depraved mind” (Romans 1: 26-28). This stigma, thus, firmly and lovingly needs to be addressed unequivocally with objective, biblical truth rather than any sanctimonious hypocrisy.

To put this into perspective, by insisting on identifying oneself with a specific sexual sin and to positively wear such terminology as “Gay” Christian or “same sex attracted” Christian” reveals a lack of shame of sinful passions, comfort with such passions, and embracing such passions. There are no other sins or sinful temptations that Christians use to publicly identify with to the point of proclaiming them to the world. They realize they were “washed, sanctified, and justified” (1 Corinthians 6: 11).  Sins between God and man are causes for shame to most believers.  If they are besetting sins, they struggle or fight them and repent of them. Those who choose to publicly identify either by homosexual sexual relations or remaining celibate are both friends of the world, as James clearly stated.

Anyone seeking ordination as a church leader who continues to identify himself publicly as SSA and claims he qualifies to be ordained chooses friendship with the world while being an enemy of God.

Furthermore, men so identifying and embracing SSA desires and passions cannot be models for biblical Christianity.  How can they teach congregants that God’s model for sexual purity is within faithful marriage between a man and a woman, or chaste singlehood?  Their identification belies God’s standards. In fact, they will mislead youth who are vulnerable to such models.  Celibacy alone fails the test of God’s standards.

The EPC and other churches dealing with this issue must remain true to the God who has set the standard by stating homosexual actions and desires are contrary to his divine revelation.  Millennia of Christian faith and tradition remain true today.

We must remain true to God’s divine revelation. Biblical convictions lead us to being faithfully pure in principle and practice.  Side B notions do not honor the truths God has set out for his Church. Scripture requires that church officers, our ministers, elders and deacons to meet the standards he set from the beginning.

Helen Louise Herndon is a member of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis, Missouri. She is freelance writer and served as a missionary to the Arab/Muslim world in France and North Africa.