So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
I have been doing a lot of writing over these past few weeks and months about the dangers of Biblical literalism. A lot of my material for talking about Biblical literalism has been inspired by First Run Feature's For the Bible Tells Me So. This incredible documentary by film maker Daniel Karslake tells the stories of several families with lesbian and gay children. During the course of the film we hear about the struggles of individuals like Bishop Gene Robinson, Chrissy Gephardt, Tonia Poteats, Jake Reitan along with their parents struggling with what it means to be religious based families with children who are gay or lesbian. Included in this incredible film is the tragic story of Mary Lou Wallner's daughter Anna who committed suicide because of the intolerance they were taught by Bible believing fundamentalist churches that spoke against homosexuality. Mary Lou has made an amazing journey from condemning her own daughter's sexual orientation, to becoming a spokesperson and life saver for many other LGBT people and their families. Mary Lou is the founder and leader of TEACH Ministries which means: To Educate Against the Consequences of Homophobia.
Included in the movie are some of the best critics of Biblical literalism. Among them is retired Bishop Holloway of Edinborough, Rev. Irene Monroe from Harvard University, Rev. Laurence Keene of the Disciples of Christ and the Rev. Dr. Mel White founder of Soul Force. This list is missing many of the other excellent spokespeople about the issue of Biblical literalism and it's consequences for LGBT people in the movie. However, this description along with the names I have provided are there to help us as we continue to talk about how God loves God's LGBT and Questioning children and why our full inclusion in the Church and society is worth everything we are all suffering to make it happen. The Bible has been misused as the religious rights sole weapon of choice stating that homosexuality is an "abomination," "Unnatural" and therefore we should all be scared to death that God will be damning us if we do not change our orientation or end our physical relationships with those we love. If those folks in the religious right really feel that they must use the Bible to justify their cruel crusade against LGBT people, then it is in our best interest to learn as much as we can about what it really means, and help others to do the same.
Often when the religious right makes use of the terms "flesh" vs. "Spirit" they are making an earnest attempt to basically say that people who love others of the same sex physically and romantically are living according to the "flesh" and not the Holy Spirit. Somehow "flesh" is suppose to denote something evil, wordly and something that can damn us. While it is the "Holy Spirit" that gives us life apart from the flesh. When ever the words "Spirit" and "flesh" are used, soon after follows a legalistic list of things to do or not do, and if we do them, salvation in Christ is lost. What this interpretation is failing to do is take into consideration the historical context in which these words are used.
Last Sunday, Out in Scripture had a commentary about another place where Paul talks about "flesh and Spirit". I want to share that commentary here again for the sake of this blog entry.
Galatians 5:1, 13-25 brings memories of both treasures and traumas. Paul begins (and ends) with this wonderful proclamation of grace. Yet, as soon as many people hear the word "flesh" (verse 16), they default into a legalistic and punitive theology. We are reminded that "flesh" was Paul's shorthand for the lower, carnal mind — a life driven by fear rather than love. Galatians 5:14 clearly reminds us that the fulfillment of the law is to love your neighbor as yourself. When all else is hung on this anchor, we hear it more responsibly both for ourselves and for others. It is not freedom just to follow every sexual urge, or to fly off the handle at every offense or to be controlled by strong drink or drugs. That does not mean that we should ignore every offense, or deny our sexuality or never have a drink. Free, embodied people consult deeply with their bodies as they relate to other bodies, with the God who is embodied in Christ.
When we talk about living according to the "flesh" as opposed to the "Spirit" for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who truly want to follow Jesus Christ with some sense of dignity, we do not mean living against the natural feelings and impulses that make us who we are in our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. I would add here that to live in the "flesh" for LGBT and Questioning individuals is to live a lie by being in the closet about who we are, or by suppressing who we are and how we feel because of the Church or societies misinformation about what being LGBT or Questioning means. When we fail to live openly and honestly we are living a lie in the "flesh." When we are totally out and use the gift of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression to live and love ourselves and others in a healthy way, we are living according to the Holy Spirit who has blessed us so wonderfully. With any gift comes a responsibility. We can as out and proud LGBT people live our lives in such a way that does not honor the Holy Spirit's blessing upon our lives. When we use our sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression as our excuse for hating the world and others, or use other people for our own personal benefit while destroying them, or being careless with other people, then we are living according to the flesh. One of the pitfalls for LGBT people is to believe that because the religious right has condemned us the only way to get past that is to live out and proud, but also throw all sense of personal and moral decency out the window and do whatever we damn well please, with whom ever we please. When we feed our anger at the religious right, God, our parents, or ourselves with alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and do it without protecting ourselves and/or our partners, and making every excuse for lewd and violent behaviors, we are in fact destroying ourselves and others through our behaviors. That kind of thing is living our lives by the flesh. It does not give glory to God, and it does not make for healthy or holy living. When we choose to use the gift of our sexuality to destroy, the results are devastating.
On the other hand, we can use our gift of sexuality and gender identity/expression to share it with our friends, family, Churches and local communities in ways that are life-giving and Holy Spirit inspired and promoted. Keeping our sexual activity for the sole purpose of loving someone very special and unique, and letting it speak the language of unconditional love is a very holy and wonderful thing. Through our sexual orientation, loving other people both women and men with arms outstretched to hug, kiss and share a shoulder to cry on when life sucks, is such a holy and life-giving way to live. Using our anger against the religious right to help agencies and organizations working for equal rights for LGBT people is an excellent way to spend our energy. Being part of a welcoming faith community that affirms, celebrates and integrates LGBT and Questioning people into the Parish is excellent for our self-esteem and helps build our faith. Seeking the professional help of gay friendly and affirming psychologists and social workers is a good thing to do. Finding social groups where we can find and make new friends and enjoy some fun in the sun are great ways to live life in holy and responsible ways. Having a partner, friends, a church family, social groups to share our ups and downs with are life-giving Spirit filled ways to live as proud LGBT people. Becoming educated about what the Bible really teaches about homosexuality so that we can help lift the burdens of other LGBT people is missionary work in a troubled world. Just today I read an excellent article that explains the word "abomination" in the context of Jewish culture. You can read that full article here.
May the Holy Spirit lead us all to live our lives openly, honestly and with the desire to love our neighbors as ourselves. In so doing may prejudice and cruelty give way to love, healing, peace and forgiveness.
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 8, Book of Common Prayer, Page 230).
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 100).
God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, Page 816).
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