Clare De Graaf's Blog, page 17
November 6, 2017
Can a Christian in a Same-Sex Marriage Still Go to Heaven?
That question comes up almost every time I speak on that subject. When an LGBT+ person asks it, I get the feeling it’s asked not because they aren’t sure of the answer, but to find out if I’m one of those kind of Christians who think all gays are going to hell.
On the other hand, when a straight Christian asks this question, I get the impression that they are testing my orthodoxy. Do I believe homosexuals are lost? The verse both most often refer to is this one:
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9,10
“There!” some straight evangelicals say, “How much more clear does scripture have to get?” So here’s my response.
On the other hand, when a straight Christian asks this question, I get the impression that they are testing my orthodoxy. Do I believe homosexuals are lost? The verse both most often refer to is this one:
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9,10
“There!” some straight evangelicals say, “How much more clear does scripture have to get?” So here’s my response.
October 30, 2017
If Your Children or Grandchildren Struggled With Same-Sex Attraction, Who Would They Turn to for Advice?
We, Preston Sprinkle and I, were in San Francisco in September at a Leaders Forum for pastors speaking on the subject of LGBT+ people in their churches. (I’m the chairman and CEO of The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender, www.centerforfaith.com and Dr. Preston Sprinkle is the president.)
After almost four hours of teaching to 364 pastors and leaders, the youth pastor of a large and growing church asked this question. “If a student ‘comes out’ to a leader in our youth group, should we inform his parents?”
Preston deferred the question to me. And this was my response, “If you do inform that student’s parents, without the student’s permission, that is probably the last LGBT+ student in your youth group who will ever let a leader know they struggle with their sexuality.” If my statement is true, what is a church, parent and grandparent to do?
After almost four hours of teaching to 364 pastors and leaders, the youth pastor of a large and growing church asked this question. “If a student ‘comes out’ to a leader in our youth group, should we inform his parents?”
Preston deferred the question to me. And this was my response, “If you do inform that student’s parents, without the student’s permission, that is probably the last LGBT+ student in your youth group who will ever let a leader know they struggle with their sexuality.” If my statement is true, what is a church, parent and grandparent to do?
October 23, 2017
Breaking the Last Socially-Acceptable Addiction
Most American Christians have an addiction and we all know it. The addiction is social media. You don’t think you do? Here’s a simple test;
When you’re out with friends at a restaurant, is your phone usually out on the table, face up?
When you’re with friends for the evening, do you check your phone in their presence?
When you use the restroom, do you check your phone?
Do you find yourself checking your phone in worship services, or as soon as you get out?
Still think you don’t have an addiction?
Are these activities a sin? Actually, they could be and here’s why.
When you’re out with friends at a restaurant, is your phone usually out on the table, face up?
When you’re with friends for the evening, do you check your phone in their presence?
When you use the restroom, do you check your phone?
Do you find yourself checking your phone in worship services, or as soon as you get out?
Still think you don’t have an addiction?
Are these activities a sin? Actually, they could be and here’s why.
October 16, 2017
If We Don’t Use God’s Methods, We Should Not Expect God’s Favor
A few months ago, a Christian man sat in my office angry and sad because his wife just told him she was divorcing him. “And my kids don’t respect me either,” he added, implying that his wife had turned the kids against him. “Why is God letting her do this to me?” I’m not sure […]
October 9, 2017
Guest Blog: BreakPoint – Trump, the NFL, and Us
Could it be that our fascination with the story is more important than the story itself? President Trump, the NFL, and us.
The last few weeks have been full of important stories. The president, speaking before the United Nations, said that if the U.S. “is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.”
Later that day, Hurricane Maria crossed Puerto Rico from southeast to northwest, dropping upwards of forty inches of rain, including fourteen inches in a two-hour period, which may be a world record nobody wants to own. More than three million American citizens were left without power or water, and face a humanitarian crisis.
Oh, and somewhere in there was another failed attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare.
But by the weekend, the story that most Americans seemed to care about was a feud between the president and professional athletes.
By now, you undoubtedly know more than you need to know about that feud—I mean that literally—and I don’t want to contribute to a problem I’m about to decry.
But we’re still left with the question about why this discussion is consuming so much of our national attention when there are issues far more deserving that we are increasingly disinclined to care about.
The last few weeks have been full of important stories. The president, speaking before the United Nations, said that if the U.S. “is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.”
Later that day, Hurricane Maria crossed Puerto Rico from southeast to northwest, dropping upwards of forty inches of rain, including fourteen inches in a two-hour period, which may be a world record nobody wants to own. More than three million American citizens were left without power or water, and face a humanitarian crisis.
Oh, and somewhere in there was another failed attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare.
But by the weekend, the story that most Americans seemed to care about was a feud between the president and professional athletes.
By now, you undoubtedly know more than you need to know about that feud—I mean that literally—and I don’t want to contribute to a problem I’m about to decry.
But we’re still left with the question about why this discussion is consuming so much of our national attention when there are issues far more deserving that we are increasingly disinclined to care about.
October 2, 2017
We’re in a “Reverse Reformation”
The invention of the printing press in 1436 was a revolutionary as the internet is today. But, up until then, the printing press produced only Bibles and other books – very expensive books, not available to the masses. Then, 70 years after it’s invention, Luther nailed his 95 Thesis’ on a Wittenburg church door and […]
September 25, 2017
A 30 Day Self Examination
Decades ago, before I had abandoned my cultural Christianity and decided to truly follow Jesus, a pastor challenged me to 30 days of self-examination. He challenged me to read the 24 chapters of Luke, over the next month; a chapter a day (with a few days thrown in to miss a few readings.) BUT! (And […]
September 18, 2017
Spiritual Cyber-Attacks
Most of the younger Christians I know don’t believe in the Devil anymore. Oh, they know the Bible talks about the Devil, and they believe in evil, but almost none of them gives Satan and his demons any serious thought.
Phase 1 of the Devil’s cyber attack completed!
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
That verse couldn’t be more clear. He wants you and me destroyed.
If you are a parent, grandparent or a mentor, you may want to read this blog to your children, grandchildren and those you mentor. When you’re done, look them straight in the eye and tell them you believe in Satan, demons and demonic power.
Years ago, I wrote this for some men I was mentoring about Satan;
Phase 1 of the Devil’s cyber attack completed!
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
That verse couldn’t be more clear. He wants you and me destroyed.
If you are a parent, grandparent or a mentor, you may want to read this blog to your children, grandchildren and those you mentor. When you’re done, look them straight in the eye and tell them you believe in Satan, demons and demonic power.
Years ago, I wrote this for some men I was mentoring about Satan;
September 11, 2017
The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender
Some of you know that for the last three years, I’ve spent a good share of time meeting with LGBT+ people and their families. It hasn’t changed my theology, but it has changed my heart. As a result, I’ve teamed up with Dr. Preston Sprinkle to form The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender, www.centerforfaith.com. […]
September 4, 2017
Do All Bad Things Actually Work Out For Our Good?
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Whenever I hear that verse quoted by Christians in a receiving line at a funeral home, I cringe. I don’t know if those who say it, actually believe those words will be a comfort to a grieving person, or they just don’t know anything else Christian – to say.
I believe the problem comes from a conventional understanding that Romans 8:28 teaches that no matter what happens to a Christian, God will always turn it into something good for them. While that is often true – I don’t believe it’s always true. Here’s what I believe that verse could also mean.
Whenever I hear that verse quoted by Christians in a receiving line at a funeral home, I cringe. I don’t know if those who say it, actually believe those words will be a comfort to a grieving person, or they just don’t know anything else Christian – to say.
I believe the problem comes from a conventional understanding that Romans 8:28 teaches that no matter what happens to a Christian, God will always turn it into something good for them. While that is often true – I don’t believe it’s always true. Here’s what I believe that verse could also mean.
