When I was young the month of June was when many men and women said their marriage vows. Now, June has a different focus in the media, the marketplace, and educational circles.
This is a good opportunity to remind the IPHC global family of the denomination’s stance regarding human sexuality. You can read our stance in the IPHC Manual, 2022-2026 on pages 74 (Covenant of Commitment), 99 (general church property), 126 (conference property), 145 (local church property), 164/168/172 (statements related to credentialled ministers and the marriages, ceremonies, and celebrations they may perform).
The IPHC, like all the Pentecostal denominations and evangelical denominations of which I am aware, maintains that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is sinful. Furthermore, we maintain that marriage is between a man and a woman identified as male or female at birth. We are not ashamed of our stance. We are not alone in our stance. As stated above, this stance is held by most evangelical and Pentecostal denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches. These views are based on the Bible in Genesis 1:26-28; 19:1-11; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Timothy 1:10.
Contrary to popular slurs and attacks, this stance does not convey hatred or bigotry of persons who live homosexual lifestyles. Rather, we take this stance because we believe the Bible clearly teaches that God’s ordained purpose from creation is that sexual intimacy is between a man and a woman. Consistent with a life of obedience to what God has ordained, it is an act of love for God that we witness to this truth in word and deed. It is an act of love to our society, families, friends, and colleagues who do not agree with our stance.
Pride month began in 1970 but was recognized by President Clinton in 1999 and renamed by President Obama in 2009. Human pride, whether sexual behavior, financial greed, military power, social and educational standing, religious self-righteous pride, flies in the face of the gospel and places us in opposition to God (Leviticus 26:19; Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; Mark 7:21, 22; 1 John 2:16).
As followers of Jesus, this month is a call to holiness, humility, and repentance. It is a reminder of the fallen condition of humanity and our need for restoration to the image of God in Jesus Christ. Whether homosexuality or other sins, all of us need redeeming grace from our sins and sanctifying grace from the power of sin.
It is a reminder that many have family members and friends struggling with their sexuality or have adopted lifestyles contrary to Scripture. It is a reminder that many families struggle with how to love their family members without approving of such life choices. We all face challenges and opportunities of demonstrating Christian love but without approving sinful behaviors and decisions – behaviors and decisions that cover far more than sexual choices.
This month we encourage you that around the globe IPHC denominational leaders and pastors are praying for you. Here are some resources that I have found valuable in understanding the biblical and social dimensions of responding to sexual distortions in our society.
- Michael L. Brown, Can You Be Gay and Christian? Responding with Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality. A Jewish believer in Jesus, Brown brings scholarship and Christian understanding to this issue. His website is https://thelineoffire.org/about.
- Rosaria Butterfield. I don’t agree with her views on women in ministry and a few other areas about worship, etc., but her account of encountering the gospel and her deliverance from a lesbian lifestyle is compelling. These two books by her are insightful. Her website is https://rosariabutterfield.com/.
- The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christan Faith. This is an inspiring and informative account of the wisdom and patience of Christian witness and how the Holy Spirit is at work in a person’s life.
- Five Lies of Our Anti–Christian Age. Her insights on culture and homosexuality are important. As noted above, I disagree with some of her thoughts about women in ministry, etc.
- Robert A.J. Gagnon, The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics. Gagnon is a well-respected Biblical scholar who writes with clarity about what the Bible teaches on human sexuality.
- Jackie Hill Perry, Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been. An African American woman, Jackie shares how the Gospel reached her heart while she was in a lesbian relationship. She has inspiring insights into Scripture and the power of the Gospel to bring our entire life into conformity with Jesus.
