Did I Really just Read an Article titled “How to Be a Safe Space for the Same-Sex Attracted”?

Did I Really just Read an Article titled “How to Be a Safe Space for the Same-Sex Attracted”?

There is no easy way to put this as a conservative Christian, we are losing the battle on morality in the church. The Gospel Coalition recently put out an article titled, “How to Be a Safe Space for the Same-Sex Attracted.”  Living in the Cedar Valley (a place I truly love), this is especially concerning as there are several influential churches that have an association with The Gospel Coalition in Cedar Falls you have Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Kaio Church, and Redeemer Church; in Waterloo, there is Grace Fellowship and Walnut Ridge Baptist Church. This doesn’t even touch the churches that are highly influenced by The Gospel Coalition but do not have an open association, due to a lack of a paper trail I will leave them nameless, but if your pastor is constantly quoting John Piper, Tim Keller, or Russell Moore this includes your church. I would like to point out one church though, Prairie Lakes Church. They may or may not have an association with The Gospel Coalition, but they did have a blog post from 2015 that seems to go hand in hand with The Gospel Coalition’s recent post concerning same-sex marriage and attraction.

In this article, Rachel Gilson uses the lone verse Galatians 6:2 to defend and define the position of being “a safe space” for those who have same-sex attraction. Galatians 6:2 states, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This seems to fit perfectly with making a “safe space” for someone who has same-sex attraction, but the context is key to this verse. If we simply go back and read Galatians 6:1 we have a much greater understanding of Galatians 6:2. Galatians 6:1 states, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” The “burdens” we are to bear with one another are actually trespasses, or to state it more bluntly, sin. The goal in bearing one another’s burdens is to restore one another, this seems like a far cry from being a “safe space”. In Scripture, we find a very different attitude toward trespasses and sins than what is presented in this article. We see in Romans 12:9 that our love is to be without hypocrisy by abhoring what is evil, in Romans 13:14 we are not even to make plans to gratify the flesh, and in 1Peter 1:16 God tells us to be holy because He is holy. The Bible is clear we are not to harbor or make a “safe space” for sin, and yes, the Bible is clear that homosexuality is a sin, Romans 1:26-27 calls it “unnatural and vile passions”. Before I get nailed for exulting homosexuality above all other sins, I would challenge you to “come and see” as I routinely preach against various sins including speeding, not living an Ephesians 5 marriage, lying, disobedience to authority, and a host of other sins.

In light of this information, what actions should we take? First off, if you are a pastor or leader of a church that is associated with The Gospel Coalition, I would urge you to renew your mind and break this association. If you are a pastor or leader who is influenced by The Gospel Coalition I would challenge you to consider your ways, as “Evil Company corrupts good habits.” If you currently are a member or attendee of a church that either associates with or is influenced by The Gospel Coalition, I would encourage you to confront your pastor and church leaders about this issue. If you do not stand for what is right, then who will?