The current issue of Newsweek features an interesting follow-up to the potential pseudo-controversy surrounding the movie "Save Me," which recently made an appearance at the Sundance Film Festival. The Newsweek article features a surprisingly in-depth interview with actor Chad Allen, who received an onslaught of publicity last year for being an outspoken homosexual who was cast as a Christian missionary in a movie made by Christians, "End of the Spear." The film "Save Me" centers around the journey of a gay man who is sent to be "degayified," if you will, at a Christian treatment facility--and it seems that Allen's choice to be in the movie is a conscious effort to continue the dialogue about homosexuality and Christianity.Allen reveals in the interview that the movie portrays evangelicals in a more positive light in part because of the way he was treated with respect and love on the "End of the Spear" set when he was expecting to be treated with bigotry. He also states that he believes "in the importance of having this conversation about God and gay. I think that 'End of the Spear' opened up that conversation, and 'Save Me' is the perfect follow-up to it."
Perhaps the most unsettling part of the interview for many Christians who might read the article is the part where Allen very articulately discusses the whopping seven passages in the Bible that address homosexual behavior specifically and how he feels they are misinterpreted. At the least , his comments are a reminder to me that Christians need to at least acknoweldge there is some gray area in dealing with this topic. At the most, his comments, along with the comments of more and more in the gay community, are a thoughtful inquiry into whether or not evangelical Christianity theology has completely missed the mark on this issue.
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I didn't know that Chad Allen is gay and I saw the movie "End of the Spear" and he was excellent in it. I'm saddened that Chad thinks that homosexuality is a gray matter in the Bible. The Bible specifically says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Maybe the Lord will see fit to change Chad's heart and he will come to know that homosexuality is a sin. Love the sinner but hate the sin.
The fact is that nowhere in the Bible is Jesus credited with speaking about homosexuality. Many who cry foul at this assertion believing that Jesus affirmed heterosexuality therefore disdained homosexuality are commiting an intellectual error which reveals their bias against homosexuality. Jesus said nothing of dinosaurs, television, rape or speedboats...so, using such logic was he equally averse to them? Instead of projecting through our personal 'logic' what we suppose Jesus supported, doesn't it make more sense to look at what Jesus did say? For instance, what we do know is that Jesus did speak about fidelity, marriage and particularly divorce. Luke 16:18 "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." These words are attributed directly to Jesus. Now plenty of divorced folks attend church and no one pickets them, hurls insults, pistol whips and ties them to fences to die, or even calls them sinners. Now why do you think divorced folks aren't given the same foul consternation thrust at homosexuals? Could the answer be found here, in Jesus' own words? "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles... what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles, for out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander; these are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile." (Matthew 15:10, 18-20) I suppose anyone can use or misuse passages from the Bible to support their own perspective, however far from Jesus that perspective has strayed. The sad truth is that there is a large percentage of Mankind who need someone to "blame" or call "worse" in order to feel better about themselves and their own sins.
What a sad story. I think it has become a way of life that if you do not embrace a "alternate life-style" you are evil and unloving. as for the comment comparing homosexuality to divorce and remarriage...what? The difference is that anyone can be forgiven...divorced families involved intheir churches have usually repented and made a committment to serve in their current situation. The same goes for a homosexual who realises that his/her life is a life of sin and repents. You were right in the fact that people do use the scripture to argue their own point, that doesn't make it right. Let's pray that Chad finds the truth and will not be encouraged by all of the wish-wash claiming to be the truth!
At the least , his comments are a reminder to me that Christians need to at least acknoweldge there is some gray area in dealing with this topic. At the most, his comments, along with the comments of more and more in the gay community, are a thoughtful inquiry into whether or not evangelical Christianity theology has completely missed the mark on this issue.
I'm trying to understand your position on this issue. Can you help me understand how you came to this conclusion that there is a grey area?
Wow... I love the movie, and my jaw is still on the floor at the idea of Fox hiring an outspoken gay activist to play this role. I however know how GREAT God is... and how he can use any situation to show his mercy and glory. I can only pray that Chad saw Christ and was softed to the word of God by working with a christian group on the set of "end of the spear". When the Bible is taken IN context as it says it MUST BE... no intelligent, honest person can come to any conclusion other than, it says homosexuality AND adultery or divorce are A SIN! Since we are all sinners.. I only hope chad can strive to turn away from his sin and towards Christ!
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