Dont know if anyone gives a damn but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch all of the latest series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks xD
Great conversation. As a gay Christian, Wes’ winsome, humble, and cerebral approach and spirit when addressing this subject-as well as his vulnerability-are so much more palatable than other gay Christians advocating celibacy or “mixed-oriented” marriages-perhaps at the behest of those who hire them to speak on a conservative circuit so as to justify conservative ethics without much of a challenge to a conservative paradigm. He knows what he is about and his committed stance on the subject, but he is also open to critiques that enhance the appeal of his position, having wrestled with such critiques. I consider him a brother bonded by this struggle who promotes empathy for the LGBTQ community rather than selling it out in front of a conservative Christian audience. Well done!
I believe the church is going to be heavily persecuted for it's faithfulness to the Bible on homosexuality. I have great respect for you two in seeking to be faithful to the text.
The church will be persecuted for standing in opposition to cultural idies, period. As in when it opposed slavery or in it's anticidience and opposed multi racial marriage. My Church is not opposed to gay marriage and yet we are faithful. I respect those with differing views. However we differ in this issue aside from that we are to stand in opposition to cultural values that we do not see expressing our witness.
@jeremywilliams3465 Your church's compromise on gay Marriage is precisely what kills its witness. I believe in no real sense it can claim to be a Christian church. Christ's words in Revelation to the seven churches echo loudly in today's culture. Please do not be brainwashed by the Western sexual revolution and further break communion from the ancient Catholic, Orthodox, and classical Protestant churches.
@@endswithme555... Slavery was Everywhere.. in Every Culture, Ethnicity, Skin Color on EVERY continent of the planet. It was Everywhere and considered Normal. RESEARCH World History and Slavery/Imperialism......It's wasn't and isn't a Jewish or Caucasian thing.
Everyone who opposes the current LGBT zeitgeist will face rather difficult times. We're already in it: Censorship, social exclusion, economic threat, in some countries even legal persecution.
The path of faithfulness, the struggle with sin of any kind requires denial of self, choosing Jesus over our struggle and abstaining from that which takes His place and is an idol in our lives. This type of obedience to God's Word over fulfilling our lusts (whatever they are) is the narrow road and few choose it.
For many it's not choosing it over "lust"...it's choosing it over love and family. That's what it is for many people with same sex attraction. It feels like many Christians are not willing to acknowledge what an incredible sacrifice that is because they want to label it as lust instead.
Hi Ian, a few times stood out as I read Bible this morning and thought about your thoughtful question. If you want me to share them, email me at koniefar@hotmail.com. I am female, married 26 years and mom to two young adults. I have faced many struggles, with God's immense help and comfort, from sexual abuse, abandonment and resulting depression. God gave me a heart for suffering. Btw, I have no desire to change anyone's feelings or orientation. Not my business or role. My desire is that all human beings deeply know God and their identity in Him.
I would argue that Jonah was called to prophecy to Ninevah and it was an absolutely personal and heavy burden to him that he felt from beginning to end.
I loved reading “Spiritual Friendship,” and need to read it again. I’ve been throwing around the idea of putting something similar together for the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) population. Same-sex love, friendship and possibly even companionship...within the framework of a traditional sexual ethic and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mormons and Muslims presents a false Jesus and gospel. I urge you in love to leave behind your religion and turn to Christ. At least do your research and compare the claims of Mormanism to ancient Christianity
I'm LGBT, and recently I saw this completely different which is not about guilt, shame, sins or even being gay but rather the spiritual benefits of Semen Retention. Understanding those benefits answers pretty much everything for every one without stigma or shame or judgement towards anyone and it's also alot easier and motivational to stick to.
When I hear the word “celibacy” I interpret as saving yourself for marriage. No sex before marriage. So if you’re gay Christian, are you saving yourself for marriage? Can gay Christian be married? (Same sex)
Celibacy means not having sex. Period. Has nothing to do with marriage. Lots of people have varying timeframes of being celibate. The sin is having sex outside of marriage; straight or gay. That's his stance.
In my mind marriage itself was reserved for a husband and wife. I know there are different interpretations. But for me, this is why celibate partnerships/covenant friendships are more appealing to me.
In our society, abstinence and celibacy have become synonymous, inter-changeable terms. Abstinence more specifically denotes what you're referring to - abstaining from sex until marriage. This practice is done, as you mentioned with the presumption that there will be a future marriage with a partner. Celibacy refers to abstaining from sex for a lifetime. I think the confusion comes from out culture's tendency to sideline and ostracize both practices, portraying them as alien, unattainable, or unrealistic.
Woof, off topic, but I wouldn't speak of the Roman Catholic idea of "uniting our sufferings with Christ's suffering" positively. It sounds nice the way you're using it, but what they mean by it is that our sufferings in combination with Christ's pay for our sins.
You make a caricature of the Roman Catholic position. Uniting our sufferings with Christ's is an incredible concept that I wish Protestants emphasized. And I'm Protestant btw with great respect for Catholic theology
@@nametheunknown_ No, for RC (and all Christians), it is Christ who pays for the eternal penalty of sin through His life, Death and Resurrection. However, it's in the process of sanctification that we are further made one with Jesus, where we have further victory over sin. The sin that remains in us at death has been paid for by Christ but still must be cleansed in us. This "temporal" cleansing process is known as purgatory in which Christ purifies our hearts in the fire of His Love - RC sees 1 Corinthians 3 point towards this. EO has a general post Death purification process, but it's not called purgatory. Either way, it is the Grace of Christ that initiates and completes the process
@@ddrse You can't say certain sins are ok and be a Christian at the same time. This is common sense when it comes to scripture. Please be aware of that and stop making excuses for sinful actions.
Wow, I am blown away by this conversation. I wish both of you lived in my city and we could have coffee often. Bless you guys
Dont know if anyone gives a damn but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch all of the latest series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks xD
@Jayceon Arthur yup, have been watching on Instaflixxer for months myself :D
Great conversation. As a gay Christian, Wes’ winsome, humble, and cerebral approach and spirit when addressing this subject-as well as his vulnerability-are so much more palatable than other gay Christians advocating celibacy or “mixed-oriented” marriages-perhaps at the behest of those who hire them to speak on a conservative circuit so as to justify conservative ethics without much of a challenge to a conservative paradigm. He knows what he is about and his committed stance on the subject, but he is also open to critiques that enhance the appeal of his position, having wrestled with such critiques. I consider him a brother bonded by this struggle who promotes empathy for the LGBTQ community rather than selling it out in front of a conservative Christian audience. Well done!
Thank you both for this, for the work that has brought you to a place of having this conversation well. It matters
The Bible honors celibacy as a worthy calling, but it also makes clear that celibacy is a gift that not all have (1 Corinthians 7:7-9, Matthew 19:11).
I believe the church is going to be heavily persecuted for it's faithfulness to the Bible on homosexuality. I have great respect for you two in seeking to be faithful to the text.
The church will be persecuted for standing in opposition to cultural idies, period. As in when it opposed slavery or in it's anticidience and opposed multi racial marriage. My Church is not opposed to gay marriage and yet we are faithful. I respect those with differing views. However we differ in this issue aside from that we are to stand in opposition to cultural values that we do not see expressing our witness.
@jeremywilliams3465 Your church's compromise on gay Marriage is precisely what kills its witness. I believe in no real sense it can claim to be a Christian church. Christ's words in Revelation to the seven churches echo loudly in today's culture. Please do not be brainwashed by the Western sexual revolution and further break communion from the ancient Catholic, Orthodox, and classical Protestant churches.
@@jeremywilliams3465did you mean opposed slavery or endorsed it?
@@endswithme555... Slavery was Everywhere.. in Every Culture, Ethnicity, Skin Color on EVERY continent of the planet. It was Everywhere and considered Normal. RESEARCH World History and Slavery/Imperialism......It's wasn't and isn't a Jewish or Caucasian thing.
Everyone who opposes the current LGBT zeitgeist will face rather difficult times. We're already in it: Censorship, social exclusion, economic threat, in some countries even legal persecution.
This is such an encouraging discussion! I so love this, thank you!
The path of faithfulness, the struggle with sin of any kind requires denial of self, choosing Jesus over our struggle and abstaining from that which takes His place and is an idol in our lives. This type of obedience to God's Word over fulfilling our lusts (whatever they are) is the narrow road and few choose it.
For many it's not choosing it over "lust"...it's choosing it over love and family. That's what it is for many people with same sex attraction. It feels like many Christians are not willing to acknowledge what an incredible sacrifice that is because they want to label it as lust instead.
Fantastic conversation. Thanks so much.
I think if a person is called to be celibate, they'll know it. It won't be a heavy burden. I know I don't have that calling. So what to do?
Hi Ian, a few times stood out as I read Bible this morning and thought about your thoughtful question. If you want me to share them, email me at koniefar@hotmail.com. I am female, married 26 years and mom to two young adults. I have faced many struggles, with God's immense help and comfort, from sexual abuse, abandonment and resulting depression. God gave me a heart for suffering. Btw, I have no desire to change anyone's feelings or orientation. Not my business or role. My desire is that all human beings deeply know God and their identity in Him.
A few "things", not times.
I would argue that Jonah was called to prophecy to Ninevah and it was an absolutely personal and heavy burden to him that he felt from beginning to end.
Don’t think this is true. Not heard one person in that place act like it wasn’t a burden
@@darkanimelight Thank you for the perspective.
I loved reading “Spiritual Friendship,” and need to read it again. I’ve been throwing around the idea of putting something similar together for the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) population. Same-sex love, friendship and possibly even companionship...within the framework of a traditional sexual ethic and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mormons and Muslims presents a false Jesus and gospel. I urge you in love to leave behind your religion and turn to Christ. At least do your research and compare the claims of Mormanism to ancient Christianity
Thank you both!!!
Wesley starts - 3:35
I'm LGBT, and recently I saw this completely different which is not about guilt, shame, sins or even being gay but rather the spiritual benefits of Semen Retention.
Understanding those benefits answers pretty much everything for every one without stigma or shame or judgement towards anyone and it's also alot easier and motivational to stick to.
When I hear the word “celibacy” I interpret as saving yourself for marriage. No sex before marriage. So if you’re gay Christian, are you saving yourself for marriage? Can gay Christian be married? (Same sex)
Celibacy means not having sex. Period. Has nothing to do with marriage. Lots of people have varying timeframes of being celibate. The sin is having sex outside of marriage; straight or gay. That's his stance.
In my mind marriage itself was reserved for a husband and wife. I know there are different interpretations. But for me, this is why celibate partnerships/covenant friendships are more appealing to me.
In our society, abstinence and celibacy have become synonymous, inter-changeable terms. Abstinence more specifically denotes what you're referring to - abstaining from sex until marriage. This practice is done, as you mentioned with the presumption that there will be a future marriage with a partner. Celibacy refers to abstaining from sex for a lifetime.
I think the confusion comes from out culture's tendency to sideline and ostracize both practices, portraying them as alien, unattainable, or unrealistic.
You may be confusing celibacy for chastity.
@@danielbucher472...No, Celibacy and Abstinence mean Different things...But Society is "dumbed down" so it's Not comfortable with.. details.
There's no gay Christian
I wonder if people just raid libraries for random books to stack behind them so they seem more studious. How many of those books have you read?
So you're saying books aren't important to you and You Don't read them. Got it.👌
Woof, off topic, but I wouldn't speak of the Roman Catholic idea of "uniting our sufferings with Christ's suffering" positively. It sounds nice the way you're using it, but what they mean by it is that our sufferings in combination with Christ's pay for our sins.
You make a caricature of the Roman Catholic position. Uniting our sufferings with Christ's is an incredible concept that I wish Protestants emphasized. And I'm Protestant btw with great respect for Catholic theology
@@foodforthought8308 do we not help pay for our own sins in RC theology?
@@nametheunknown_ No, for RC (and all Christians), it is Christ who pays for the eternal penalty of sin through His life, Death and Resurrection. However, it's in the process of sanctification that we are further made one with Jesus, where we have further victory over sin. The sin that remains in us at death has been paid for by Christ but still must be cleansed in us. This "temporal" cleansing process is known as purgatory in which Christ purifies our hearts in the fire of His Love - RC sees 1 Corinthians 3 point towards this. EO has a general post Death purification process, but it's not called purgatory. Either way, it is the Grace of Christ that initiates and completes the process
You can be LGBT and Christian and no you don't have to be celibate.
I'm sorry but that statement goes against scripture.
@@Ajsirb24 you have with you the law. I find no fault with the LGBT whatsoever
@@ddrse Then you still live in sin.
@@Ajsirb24 not if you trust God
@@ddrse You can't say certain sins are ok and be a Christian at the same time. This is common sense when it comes to scripture. Please be aware of that and stop making excuses for sinful actions.
Wes, why devote the best years of your life to being the lapdog of our oppressors?