Homosexuality as a Theological Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Homosexuality as a Theological Issue - Essay Example Christians find themselves at the center of this wave, as people look up to them for guidance on the stand they are supposed to take. The commonality of this in theology particularly, is that people need to know Christian’s stand in this homosexuality issue. As such, different theologians have written different articles expressing their ideas on the homosexuality as a social issue. In my analysis in this essay, I will put into consideration three author’s writings, and their reasoning about homosexuality. A concise summary of each of these theological reasoning will form the basis of their comparison and contrast. Conclusively, I will draw personalized ideas and thoughts on the homosexuality issue. Koranteng-Pipim, in his article, â€Å"Three Conflicting Views on Homosexuality† seeks to find the church’s stand on homosexuality. The biggest issue is whether they should accept or reject these individuals whenever they join their congregation. Both stands hav e their unique ethical consequences. However, he singles out the case of seventh day adventurist church, which has assumed three approaches to homosexuality (Koranteng-Pipim 1). Despite the fact that the church in past has assumed a non-acceptance stand on this issue, the recent rise of pro-homosexual groups continue to amount the church on assuming a full-acceptance approach to these people. However, he notes that some segments within contemporary Adventism are moving towards the qualified-acceptance view in addressing homosexuality. Koranteng-Pipim argues that although these other views have emerged, the non-acceptance view remains the official position of the Seventh-day Adventist church (Koranteng-Pipim 2). Different tenets support these divergence views. The basic tenets in support of these views include the nature of homosexuality, morality of homosexuality, way out of homosexuality and response to homosexuality. The non-acceptance view holds that homosexuality is a distortion of human sexuality, it is sinful and sinful, and that God has the capability of changing any situation (Koranteng-Pipim 6). In their arguments though, those advocating for full acceptance have to agree to being born again and thus fully assimilated in the church. In his article, â€Å"Homosexuality and Christian Faith: A Theological Reflection† Jennings points out that homosexuals and homosexuality is one of the major importance deliberations of denominational bodies. This issue has drawn different feelings among the proponents and opponents of homosexuality issue. On one side are the supporters of the traditional sexuality; while on the other hand is the group in support of the emerging trends in sexuality (Jennings 137). However, he observes that theological reflection has conspicuously been missing from this conservative-liberal confrontation. He observes that people hold many biases in the issue of homosexuality in the society. He however does not propose a theology of h omosexuality, but proposes how fundamental principles of Christian theology illuminate this question or complex of issues. He looks at different principles of theology, such as one by Karl Barth, which proposes that that Christian faith goes along with the gracious God, who is the Supreme Being (Jennings 137). The supreme intention is to justify, save and redeem humanity, but not on the basis of a discrimination between better and worse persons but solely on the basis of God’s own gracious election. He argues that in case of a violation of this theological principle, it places in human hands the capacity to implement our own salvation. The second principle as he points out is the universality