Glad to see his "7 year moratorium" on talking about homosexuality has led him back to the biblical conclusion of Christ honoring, hope affirming, proper marriage between a man and woman. Why am I not surprised?

McClaren did ask for a moratorium back in 2006 (I believe) but it was for 5 years, not 7. Either way I do not look forward to "Farewell" tweets that I am sure are coming. Even if I agree with them.

I don't know if supporting same-sex marriage is a minority or majority position among evangelical progressives -- how would one know? -- but certainly the momentum within the movement is toward more support for gay and lesbian people. More and more evangelicals of all stripes are re-examing the traditional argument and finding it biblically lacking.

These supposed "evangelicals" are not finding the argument biblically lacking. They're instead rewriting the Bible to fit their experiences. Your sentence would be far more accurate if you'd said, "More and more evangelicals of all stripes are being examined and found biblically lacking."

We should not be surprised...
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3, 4 ESV)

I would say more and more are reexamining the Scriptures and interpreting them differently. The question comes down to whether the traditional interpretations have lacking all along. And Steve, when you speak of "supposed" evangelicals, you sound as if there's some generally agreed upon definition of just who or what an evangelical is; it seems like a fairly elastic term to me.

1 corinthians 6:9 says it clearly...and the scriptures are not up for interpretation or debate. Practicers of unrighteousness will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Practicers of unrighteousness. When we are saved it is supernatural. If there is no change from the old sinful lifestyle it is likely there is no salvation. We are transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Gen 19, leviticus 18:22, 29: leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26, and 1 Timothy 1:8-10. Trying to make the bible fit the sinful lifestyle of man has been going on since the penning of the scriptures. Nothing new, same old stuff. Thats why paul starts off 1 corintians 6:9 with "dont be deceived"

This is good to see publicized. It allows evangelicals to further ignore McLaren's pontifications about pretty much anything purporting to be Christianity.

No surprise whatsoever, considering his particular custom religion.

As far as who may or who may not call themselves "evangelical" certainly anyone may. And anyone may call themselves "Christian" too.

That's why it's important that those who believe the Gospel clearly point out those who do not and have nothing to do with them.

And that's what we've seen happening with McLaren. Christians will simply step slowly away, and eventually he'll be speaking to his tiny group of "progressive evangelicals" rather like Jack Spong speaks to his tiny group of "progressives," too.

Again -- this kind of public behavior affirming his particular niche faith is all to the good.

Sarah, that's already been happening: McLaren's speaking schedule for quite a while now has largely consisted of mainline and emerging church audiences. It seems that his 2010 book A New Kind of Christianity really did lead to a shrinkage in his evangelical speaking engagements.

The Bible is absolutely clear about homosexuality. There is no need to "re-interpret" it.

It reminds me of how Satan tempted Jesus Christ with out-of-context, distorted Scripture references.

If you want to believe a lie, you will believe a lie. God will give you over as well.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
(Romans 1:24-28 ESV)

Progressive? I don't think so. At the end all will be judged by God's word not by mans interpretation of His word. The bible is more than clear on this subject. Homosexuals need to repent and allow God to work a transformational work in them just like any other sinner.

Progressivism is a political movement, not a spiritual one.

Beware Sojourners, which is a political movement disguised as a spiritual movement. Jim Wallis is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He supported the violent communist regimes in Central America, even to the point of protesting the US support of anti-communists.

Beware these people who are throwing Biblical inerrancy out the window to suit their political goals.

God is the arbiter of justice. He gave us instructions. Jim Wallis is not God's hand, rewriting the Bible to suit a Progressive world view. He is just a political advocate who has made it his goal to warp scripture and provide a false witness. Run away from men like this if you value your spiritual health.

Warren has endorsed McLaren in the past. I wonder if Warren will call McLaren to repentance for his shame and disgrace to the gospel. Oh what a web we weave and it only gets harder and harder to escape. May the Lord God sovereignly grant McLaren repentance before he dies and finds that he was absolutely wrong.

Beware those people who use the Bible to support their Republican political goals. Beware those people who arrogantly decide they are the "true" Christians. Run away from those who abuse their flock and arrogate power to themselves in the name of "inerrancy" and "authority." Remember, people, the "greatest of these is love" - not arrogant Bible-thumping.

Brian McLaren has quite simply lost the faith. He has performed a marriage ceremony for his son and another man. He has violated clear scriptural teaching about marriage, homosexuality, etc... The Bible clearly teaches that sex between men is a sin (like so many others) punishable by death in the OT and worthy of Hell in the N.T.. He himself is not submitted to Jesus Christ lordship and certainly cannot claim to be a biblical christian any more. Further, I feel sorry for his son who will now be bound in sin for the rest of his life if he does not truly repent. Furthermore, he will spend eternity in Hell. In this lifetime he can now expect to live only into his fifties because of std's related to the so called gay lifestyle. If he were to live as a normal, heterosexual man his life expectancy would be into his 70's. We need to pray for the whole McLaren family that they would find a place of true biblical repentance and salvation because this act indicates that they clearly are not true christians.

As others have said this incident doesn't surprise us. Whether you're for or against McLaren it's obvious that he has made a transition to what most of us call liberal Christianity. I just wish he would admit it. His book A New Kind of Christianity is a manifesto for standard liberal Christianity...a kind that has existed for over 100 years. So there's nothing new about it. Who knows what's next. But I do know this Zondervan won't be publishing his next book.

I am quite humoured and saddened how so many in the church continue to alienate and demonize men and women whether they are gay or whether they support marriage equality.But then it does not surprise me for so many think that they are right and their intepretation of Jesus is the only right one. The issue that many do not look at or address is the issue of being gay. No one asked to have same sex feelings or attractions they just are. And to place a no sex hold or celibacy hold on millions who have not been called to celibacy is ludicrous and mean spirited. Are gay people going to hell? All I know is what the apostle Paul wrote in dealing with this issue in Romans 2:1 "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." So be careful for you just might be condemning your own self with views and beliefs that are in step with a much older place and time.

Brian McLaren has a great many good things to say. I will continue to read what he has to say because there is obvious benefit to many things he says. However, what is also obvious is his stance on this issue. It is not so much the ceremony I disagree with, but the fact that he administered it.

I might be the only one I know who thinks that we should allow homosexuals to get married, after all, we abandoned a true religious meaning behind marriage in America when we first allowed judges and others to perform ceremonies. We can only show others what a good marriage looks like between a man and a woman by lowering the divorce rate and unhappy marriages by Christians lower than the average of non-Christians

I have worked with many individuals who have a son or daughter who says they are gay. They are heart-broken when they hear the news that "I am gay." However, these parents don't go the route of Rev. McClaren. They continue to love their child but are not supportive of their homosexuality. These parents are my heroes. It is much easier to act like Rev. McClaren than to accept the homosexual identity of their son or daughter.

When Jesus attended the wedding at Cana..He performed His first sign at the urging of His mother despite it not yet being His time..He did this to establish the sacrement of marriage and to confirm the bond of one man and one woman..to become one flesh..let no man come between them.It is through the family of man and woman that He builds His kingdom on earth.Be fruitful and multiply He commanded us.Homosexual sex is the devils mockery of what God has ordianed and established.Do not fool yourselves..nor bend or compromise simply because perverts with power have bought politicians.Even if you are to be the only person left to make the stand against this..better to stand alone in righteuosness and truth..than to stand and fall with evil.

So much judgment and negativity! When have you ever heard Jesus respond this way to any "sinner"? It seems he reserved his harshest words for the religious people who spoke as you do.

Blessings on their union. I pray that Trevor and Owen never visit this page.

Many congrats to Trevor & Owen. I pray the whole family can enjoy this wonderful time of celebration.

I am filled with joy that Brian was able to officiate the wedding of his son.

These comments sadden me. You don't sound like christians at all. You sound exactly like Pharisees. Of course, those of you who are so wrapped in your condemnation are completely blind to how hurtful your hatefulness is, and will clearly ignore the people you trample. There is no love here. Shame on you, Christianity Today, for allowing this kind of nastiness to pervade your comments (especially as you moderate them). What kind of faith do you represent?

God is love.

To those who don't like the comments realize the price you have to pay for free speech is to hear/read things you don't like. If you want everyone to agree with you then let's limit free speech. No not all of the comments here are civil but again that's the way it goes on the internet.

I have never seen so any unwilling to love their neighbor. I hope Trevor and Owen have a blessed life, filled with the joys of God's grace and I hope most of the commenters here never make their lives harder. Brian McLaren is teaching us the ways of God. I find this blessing to be a blessing to us all.

This is good news. Congratulations to Trevor and Owen and their families. May God bless their marriage.

Poor souls.Fruitless, twisted. Poor state of Maryland too.

It's interesting that each time Jesus acted - except for taking on those rich people who were abusing the poor through their money changing scheme - he came down on the side of love and against the established religion's policies.. It's interesting that each time "Christians" act, it's the complete opposite of what Jesus did.

I am weary of being part of a Christianity defined by hate and condemnation, particularly on this issue. "And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (1 John 4:21) Peace and blessings to the McLaren family.

Congratulations to the handsome couple!

What a blessing for Trevor to have his father officiate at such a joyous occasion!

Hmm. I thought the 'those who practice unrighteousness' were those who 'judged' others. Brian is a man of grace. Grace actually means something. It accepts folks just as they are, without expecting them to measure up to any particular standard - culturally or morally. Faith in God works by love, not judgment. We have faith that all that we might consider as 'sin' has been covered by the blood of Christ. That allows us all to love one another, since no of us has been without 'sin'. Brian is a man of love because he is a man of great faith. I am humbled by his willingness to therefore live a life under grace. Congrats to Trevor and Owen.

Isn't grace amazing?

To quote Rich Mullins:
There's a wideness in God's mercy
I cannot find in my own
And He keeps His fire burning
To melt this heart of stone
Keeps me aching with a yearning
Keeps me glad to have been caught
In the reckless raging fury
That they call the love of God

Many blessings to Trevor and Owen.
And prayers of thanksgiving for Brian, who has demonstrated the radical love and acceptance we find in Jesus Christ.

many blessings on your familiy, brian!

Congrats Trevor and Owen! May God richly bless you and your beautiful marriage.

Wow! Someone from a pro-gay marriage site or Brian McLaren forum must have sent all these people over here to comment on this story. Sheesh!

Saddened by the hatred expressed here, I have served Jesus Christ as a minister of the Gospel for 27 years. The central message of Jesus for me is love and grace. Blessings to Brian's family and to all of you even when you wrrite in hate. God loves you.

For those who are so adamantly opposed to the "judgement" of some comments: at what point can we say something is wrong? It seems that you've adopted the perspective that anything in opposition to your point of view is judgmental. When did that become true? Is there no room for people to believe that homosexuality is Biblically wrong or that Brian McLaren has chosen to separate himself from Biblical Christianity without us becoming Christ-unlike?
Jesus wasnt silent about sin. He didn't accept everything as right, He treated everyone as redeemable-there's a difference. And though He did reserve His harshest verbal judgement for those that were judgmental, do we really think that He thought of those sins as more heinous? They merely had to be dealt with differently. And furthermore, if judgmentalism was so great a sin, then how could Jesus Himself practice it in His dealings with the Pharisees? Don't redefine the love of God to mean the nihilism of God, you will do so at your own peril.

It's interesting that each time Jesus acted - except for taking on those rich people who were abusing the poor through their money changing scheme - he came down on the side of love and against the established religion's policies.. It's interesting that each time "Christians" act, it's the complete opposite of what Jesus did.

Love and God's law and holiness are not in conflict. Jesus always did come down on the side of "love", God's perfect love united with His perfect holiness, His perfect sinlessness, His perfect justice, His perfect grace, His perfect mercy, not our "love" which so often is mere self-interest and license. Jesus always broadened and deepened the true requirements of the Law past the mere following of the rules to the nature of the heart, to the true intent of the "established (by God, not man) religion's policies". Jesus never denied the Law or set it aside, but showed that we could only meet its demands of perfect righteousness by dying to ourselves and living in Him. "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17.

Those who celebrate this mockery of marriage are here convieniently silent (no claims here about "Jesus said nothing against homosexuality"?) on Jesus's words on the nature of marriage:
Mark 10:6-8 But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-6 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

I don't see any wiggle room there for same-sex marriage. You can't slice and dice Jesus or the Scripture He affirmed, both Old Testament and New Testament ("Scripture cannot be broken").

Brian is one of the kindest friends I've ever had

Congratulations Brian on your son's marriage and your part in it. May God's blessings be upon you, and upon those who judge you for your act of love.

Is it loving to buy beer for the alcoholic and give him the keys to your car?

Is it loving to affirm the adulterous spouse when he moves in with his lover?

Love has a context and a definition, and if you are a Christian, that definition comes from the Bible. Those who reject the law of God cannot love Him or their neighbor.

Jesus' condemnations of the Pharisees weren't condemnations for being religious or conservative but for violating the spirit and letter of God's law.

McLaren's actions are saddening but not surprising. But the Bible does tell us to beware of false teachers, and now it is beyond clear that McLaren falls into that category.

Wow. Reading over the many, many comments on this story leads to a couple thoughts. Is the topic of homosexuality the one thing that really gets evangelicals excited and agitated these days? How sad. I wonder, too, when evangelicals will stop treating the Bible like a law textbook, parsing every phrase to find arrows to be used in the court of public discussion. The Bible wasn't written that way. It is the collection of inspired perspectives of a host of sacred witnesses that should lead us, under the Spirit's direction, to discover God's ways in the modern world in which we find ourselves. Homosexuality is here, it is common, and it doesn't arise from sin but from inherited attributes and family upbringing. As Christians, we need to find responsible and loving ways to address the issue.

It really should not bother us what Brian McLaren says or does. Is he some appointed pope to Progressive and Emerging Church advocates.

So telling the truth is automatically equivalent to hatred?

No one here is advocating a death penalty or anything else. Homosexuals are sinners like the rest of us. We need God's grace to set us all straight, because all our appetites are out of whack.

Yes mommynator. You are homophobic for even raising the question. Sorry, you're a hater. You are probably Islamophobic to boot. And a racist. If you say you aren't, that automatically means you are. You have to learn the rules of progressivism. Why do you even think they call liberalism "progressive"? Anyone who disagrees is automatically regressive. As Jim Henderson says, Brian McLaren is kind. That pretty much trumps any telling of the truth. And his son loves his gay partner so that settles it. All you need is love. Love is all you need...thanks Paul McCartney.

All the very best wishes and love for Owen and Trevor. Brian McLaren is someone I greatly respect and admire and I am delighted for him and his family.

Here's something many Christians just don't understand: "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature (not when you believed and went to church), God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having CANCELLED the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross" (Col 2:13-14). NOTE: If, on his cross, Christ "cancelled" the written laws that were "against us," how, then, are we to be judged by those very same laws in the hereafter? According to scripture, "where there is no law, there is no sin" (see Rom 4:15 and Rom 5:13). If we insist on excluding people from the "Christian Camp" who sin, just remember that we all (including professing Christians) still sin. The scripture says that one sin is as bad as the other and to break one of the written laws is to break them all. "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Congrats to Trevor and Owen. And blessings to their families. May we all continue to grow in grace.

@ rick Well now whether it's from the left or from the right it's totalitarianism and extremism when you accuse someone of being a hater just because they don't agree with you. Please grow up and look at this issue more maturely rather than from gut reactions. Your attitude is just about as bad a some of the posters here. Same mindset different ideology.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love God and Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself. Perhaps those of us who love Jesus, on both sides of the argument, have different idea's of what love looks like. So, I can only speak for myself and say, if someone consistently told me that something that was true about me, that I have no control over, like, being a woman for instance, was going to be the reason I was going to Hell, that I needed to repent and turn away from being a woman, well, I just don't think I will feel very loved. But here is another thing that I am learning. Judging people who are on the other side of this issue than I am is also no loving. In fact, the more I talk to people who are on the conservative side of this issue, the more I see the truth in their heart. Which, for most people, the ones who's hearts are good, is that they just don't want people to go to hell. And while I don't agree with the tactics, I can't fault that intention. Arguing, spamming, trolling, angry hateful speech, there will be no room for that when the Kingdom comes in it's full. It's my intention to try to being a little of the kingdom into any situation when I am in conflict with a fellow Jesus lover, or for that matter, a fellow human. So Brian, congrats. I hope your son has a long and happy marriage. God bless you. And for those of you who disagree, God bless ya. I pray that God judges you less harshly than you have judged your fellow man. I pray the same for myself.

Van, the code is now to be written on our hearts. The New Testament does not negate the teaching of the Old, it clearly raises the bar.

I just have to say that I am please to see that more and more CT readers are coming around to a position of inclusion rather than literalism. Surprising I suppose that the same folks who love to "clobber" homosexuals with those few passages don't get nearly as lathered up about divorce, greed or gluttony. It is so much easier to ban the "them" than to really examine the "us."

Should the anus be used as a sex organ? Google First Scandal. When you get there, go to the top of the page and click on "Can you explain..." Please note: this website you reach will be deleted on November 1, 2012.

Basil I couldn't agree with you more. Of course I do not believe that you can ignore the truth as long as you are considered "kind" as Jim Henderson does. And then Van's pseudo-teaching is truly awesome in its whole hearted embrace of antinomianism! Why did Paul, the meany, kick the man out of the church for sleeping with his mother-in-law, especially when the Corinthians were cool with it and even proud of their tolerance of it? He wasn't being very inclusive. As Paul says, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein". Jesus did not say to the woman caught in adultery, "Love ya babe. Don't go changing!" He said, "neither do I condemn you, Go your way and SIN NO MORE". How can those why died to sin continue in it? Either this is true or it is not; "Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals" Brian McLaren and his children have decided that the Bible is not true.

Happy to stand with McLaren, his son & son-in-law, and everyone else who has found more room in their hearts for love, less room for hate.

I used to be an Evangelical. I realized that Evangelicals are very busy excluding others: They used to exclude blacks. They used to exclude divorced persons. They used to exclude interracial married couples. They used to exclude Communists. They used to exclude liberated women who were not submitted to their husbands and wanted to vote. They still exclude women who terminate pregnancies. They still exclude lesbian, gay, transgendered, and bisexual people. They tend to exclude liberal democrats. Their exclusion is always easy. They simply label the excluded as "unsaved" and condemn them to hell. Depending on their niche of Christian denominationalism, these "unsaved" subgroups may not have ever been "saved" in the first place, according to Evangelicals. I weep for my fellow Evangelicals, because they may have missed Jesus' message to the Pharisees, who were the biggest eclusionists of Jesus' day. The "evangelicals" of Jesus' day thanked God that they were not as other men are. Jesus has a very special place for those who are not as other men are in eternity.

Laurel, do you think that Jesus was saying that if you have this big swelling of positive emotion...of oooey gooey smoochy lovey dovey feeling...that is somehow the first command? That is not what love is. Jesus said in John 14, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Those that love God hate what He hates, loves what he loves and obey even the hard things. Jesus loves us enough to tell us the truth that unless we repent we are going to hell. It is not love to tell a dying relative that they are not on the road to hell and they are not dying. Love means telling the truth even when it hurts. It hurt Jesus quite a bit. It doesn’t feel good when Jesus says to me, “I tell you, no, but unless you [b]repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3. As Paul says, do not be decieved Brian, Trevor, Owen, Laurel and David, "Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals". Do not be decieved. Paul knows how easy it is for us to be decieved. We cannot continue (not repenting) in fornication, adultery, worshopping idols or homosexual behavior and think we will inherit the kingdom of God.

Jon, the good news is all can be saved, black, white, communist, abortionist, lesbian, gay, transgendered, bisexual, Nazis, Lutherans, liberal democrats and tea partiers. Evangelicals believe ALL can be saved, there are NO exclusions. Evangelicals do not condemn anyone. As Jesus said, “neither do I condemn you, go your way and sin no more.” Jon, you really don’t understand evangelicals or the Bible. But do realize that Jesus says once you are saved “go your way and sin no more.” Do you get that part? If for some reason we don’t understand that we can’t enthusiastically continue in sin after salvation, Paul reccommends removing them from the church fellowship so they learn to change and don’t hurt anyone else with their unrepentance or antinomianism. Once our brother repents, we accept and forgive whole heartedly.

Rick, I just think love comes in a lot of packages. I think the kind of love you are talking about is hard to receive. I think God teaches us that closing the door to the kingdom means we close the door to ourselves. I think that the world doesn't come in shades of black and white. And that judging people for things I can't understand isn't fair. And that I am glad to serve a God of Justice. What ever I can do to give someone the opportunity to start a conversation with God is a good thing. I think rejecting people is not how I choose to show love to people. I think you sound really angry about something you have no control over. Listen to the new president of focus on the family. He has a lot of wisdom. Focus on what you can control, you, your works, your example. Futile and fruitless, trying to change people's nature. What sins did you commit today? We are none of us unblemished. Work on that. Pull the log outta your eye before you call the spec out in someone else's. I think that's love to. Leave the work of God to God. Maybe, just maybe, if you are right about homosexuality (big if...) it's not your job to "fix" people. Maybe it's God's.

Glad the 5 year period is over, and we've made our decision - and for the best reason possible - familial love. Love for one another always bumps theological evolution forward.

...Toying with becoming an abolitionist? And then you discover the slave family you sold in good faith because of your own economic downturn is now being split up and sold in three different directions by their new owner who had promised otherwise - child separated from parents, and wife separated from husband...now your heart makes the final decision that this former way of life has got to go! You are now on board and an activist abolitionist, and your theology is still back there sputtering trying to figure out what happened:)...but your life is now one of lived love, aka: truth.

As usual when I read these posts I have to conclude that the progressives work with the following summary Good Jesus/Bad Paul and that poor Marcion.

Laurel, perhaps you are right. Why should I even care? Its not my job to fix people. Paul should have just kept his mouth shut instead of butting into other's business. And Jude, the half brother of Jesus, should have not spoken of those caught up in gay sex in the church "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." He said this about those in Jude 1:7 who, "just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones." Sure, Jude started this chapter saying "I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." But I won't comment anymore. I'm not my brother's keeper. And I don't want to be contentious.

I see that many of you are wishing the new "couple" the best in life. Maybe you have a secret homophobic subtlety to your words. I see that it is always "best in life." What you are not saying and therefore hiding from the couple is "what about death?" Maybe they will have their perverted fun and "the best" (in their minds in life), death will give them an eternity that God talks about in His Love that sin must be punished. He makes it clear that homosexual "acts" are sin. One may have a homosexual affinity but they do not have to act on it. A person might want to rape, main, steal, kill, etc. but it is absolute a breaking of the law when they do. These so-called men are breaking God's law (and I think they know they are as most homosexuals will admit) but they are taking their chances. They will suffer the same hell that God says is for ALL SINNERS who do not believe in Jesus and abandon their sin. Brian McLaren has literally hundreds of men, women, and young people to hell already from his writings and teachings, now he is allowing his son to go there. I don't consider sending anyone to hell as LOVE. Maybe he does. I know, I have known many hundreds of people who followed McLaren but would never accept accept Christ as their Personal Savior and died and today are in hell. I could not stop them, but McLaren sent them there.

This story is heartbreaking.. and then to watch as people Congratulate them on their sin.. It is all just so sad..
Precious Father ..Our Father.. Let your Glory be our chief concern.. Lead us not into temptation, forgive us our sins and place in each one of us the desire to study your word and be "well pleasing to You" not ourselves.. In Jesus Name..

Wrong Wrong Wrong, gay union is against God...Lord have Mercy upon us, we should rend our garments, and weep for the future of this country..

Sometimes you sound more like a bible, than you do Jesus. But I forgive you.

Interesting comment section, I must say.
Kudos to Jeff Winter (10:13am) for best expressing to "Love the sinner, Hate the sin" while supporting those caught in the middle.
Props also to Van (3:16pm) from the pro-homosexual side for making a biblical argument for accepting homosexuality.
As to be expected, 13 of the first 20 posts were negative. Then around 10:30 someone must have sent a notice to their pro-homosexual mailing list, as 15 of the next 17 posts over the next hour and 1/2 were positive. At which point Art called it. This extended to 22 positives of the 30 posts after 10:30, most of the latter being of the form "Congrats to the happy couple."
C'mon people! 69 posts and only ONE really gets the point! The road must indeed be narrow. Quoting scripture doesn't help as the Law never brought anyone to salvation! We have forgotten Paul's admonition "if a man is caught in any trespass,you who are spiritual, restore [him]...looking to yourself lest you be tempted" Either that or we love without decrying the hurt and damage that it caused by their deliberate sin; damage not just to themselves,but to their families, friends and to society as they encourage others to follow in their path.

Is this fianlly going to be where Mark Driscolll of Mars Hll finally announces he no longer supports Brian McLaren and his unBiblical poistions?

If marriage is no longer an exclusive lifelong covenant commitment between only a man and a woman in monogamous relationship, who is to say it must limited to just two people? Given that, when will McClaren officiate his first polyamorous or polygamous wedding? And will the progressive drones on here congratulate the happy collective?

Congratulations to Trevor and Owen. I hope they have many years of happiness. And to Brian, thank you for showing great and public love.

And to address to post above- being insulted as a drone is not love. I thought that Jesus was pretty explicit on the need to be gentle with your words, calling it murder otherwise, in the sermon on the mount?

Comments like that make me glad I'm no longer a Christian. Acts like Brian McClarens think that there might have been hope for me remaining in the church, had I been born a decade later.

First, society institutionalized the sin of abortion and called it women's reproductive health. Now, society is institutionalizing the sin of homosexual behavior and calling it the love of Jesus. What sin will we rename and call holy and good next? Probably the killing of the elderly.
But God is not mocked and these grave sins that society has discerned to be good will destroy our country, not only through the reaction of nature in earthquakes, floods, etc. but also through the hand of mankind in wars, famines, etc. Discernment of right and wrong or the faculty of judgment is a God given gift of the Holy Spirit. The "judgment" so many here speak of is rightly called "condemnation." We are not to condemn. We have no authority to condemn. That is God's province alone, but we must judge. If we cannot judge between right and wrong (and God gave us his Word and his Holy Spirit to guide us) then we are truly lost. God have mercy on all of us during this time of mercy, because when he returns it will be the time of judgment and the consequences will be eternal.

Not long ago, one of our Evangelical superstar ministers called the existence of Hell into question. Now, we find another choosing to accept homosexuality because it has been revealed in his own family. From season to season, various members of our own Evangelical community will be pursuaded to accept the attractive trappings of sin. This should not dissuade or impede our focus. With hearts of love and concern, we hold our fallen brothers and sisters before God and ask that the Holy Spirit confront them with the truth of their wayward walk. W continue to love, to pray and bear witness of the One who died to redeem us from sin. Be they ministers, theologians or professors, they, too, when answer to an almighty God. As professing Christians, we cannot add to or subtract from the truths found in His word. Not for our academic standing nor for our familial comfort. God's word stands.

God is love but love is not god.
What we refer to as love in most of these arguments doesn't even begin to get at the heart of love. When Jesus said "your sins are forgiven" He must've just been misinformed. Surely what He should have said was "what sins?"

@ John Lawless I am pretty sure that Driscoll broke with most of the Emerging crowd esp McLaren years ago. Search Google for more info.

Yep. It's obvious that a bunch of gay activists were asked to comment on this article.

McLaren is wrong based on the numerous bible verses on homsexuality and one man/woman marriage. Those who want to shout about love, Jesus said if you love ME, you'll obey my commandments. His commandments were to love God and love others. Loving God means you love his WORD and what it says about ALL things. In this case, it's against homosexuality. Loving a person is loving them enough to tell them they are sinning against God by living a homosexual lifestyle.

If someone decides to NEVER turn from sins such as adultery, fornication, slandering people, disobeying parents, stealing, or murdering... then they are guilty of the same thing.

However, if one TURNS and doesn't do those things, they are different than a homosexual or an adulterer who flaunts their open disdain for God, by continuing to live in a sinful lifestyle.

Are you living an active homosexual, adulterer, stealing, murdering lifestyle? Then, you gots problems.

We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. The Bible alone is our guide in all spiritual matters. To God alone be the glory. From the early parts of Genesis to the latter parts of Revelation the Bible is clear on marriage and sexuality. One man and one woman for life in marriage. I have only married one woman and have been with her for 22 years. Yes we struggle, but we do our best to live as God intended.

The enemy, the devil is certainly deceiving many. The Bible clearly spells out that this is sin. I know that couples who are not male/female in their family nature and have children in that home are very confused and have great problems in life with identity.

So sorry that this writer would even perform a marriage of this sort. It is truly sin.

I am appalled by all the ignorant comments not only about Brian McLaren - a dedicated and insightful Christian leader - but about the Bible. Biblical ignorance among people professing to be Christians is astounding. The Bible is certainly neither clear nor prescriptive about human sexual relationships. Its Godly communication is far too nuanced for that - much to the chagrin and frustration of those with fixed agendas, it seems.

In spite of Bible abusers, the Light of Christ will continue to shine in the darkness.

As a layman I find it hard to argue on way or the other. But the written Word of God in both OT and NT seem to condemn homosexuality as sinful and as abhorent to God. I have looked the passages up in more than 20 "interpretations" of the Bible from KJ to Message and all in between. No change.
It would seem that the tolerance for gay marriage is based on some "mis-interpretation of the Hebrew or Greek words and the actual meaning of the words attributed by the ancient writers and not-so-ancient reviewers of the original texts. I do bellieve we laymen deserve some leadership here by those most familiar with the ancient texts. Who was write.

Steve, the Bible is very clear and prescriptive about human sexual relationships. It is only unclear to those who want license and who relish the obscurity of what they call nuance. This is just partial;
1. Sex only within marriage. Anything outside is sin.
Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thess 4:3; Jude 7
2. Men shall not lay with men (no anal sex between men) Leviticus 20:13, Leviticus 20:13, 1Cor 6:9-11, 1 Tim 1:10, Jude 7
3. No lesbian sex. Romans 1:26
4. No cross dressing. Deuteronomy 22:5.
5. No sex with animals. Leviticus 18:23

Can you give me a Bible example of God approved lesbian sex? or God approved male anal sex? Or God approved animal sex? Or God approved adultery? Or God approved cross dressing?

I pray for my brother and sister Evangelicals who are so quick to judge the Christianity of others. I accept them as Christians, deeply flawed and Pharisaic, but trying as best they can. I just wish they could open their hearts and accept Brian, me, and the millions of other progressive Christians who do not share their views on same-sex marriage. You don't have to agree with us or send us to hell, just acknowledge that it's possible Jesus doesn't need you to administer the Christianity-litmus-test according to your own narrow interpretation. It's a big faith out there, covers the whole world, and there are many variations on a theme outside of your definitions. When confronted with someone who calls themselves Christian and you disagree, do as Jesus did when confronted with "the other" - offer mercy and side with love. If we're wrong and you are right, God will sort us out. You don't need to.

As wonderful as Grace is... and is for ALL... the grace of God has never condoned sin, of any description. And, whether you want to hear it or not, whether you like it or not, whether you choose to put your own self purposing spin on it or not, according to the God of all Grace homosexuality is against Him and His word. To state that is certainly not hatred, it is not pharisaical - in fact it was the pharisees who were guilty of interpteting the word of God to suit their own view point - It is ludicrous to say that what God has said about homosexuality is open to interpretation! You have to work those words really really hard to have them say homosexuality is just fine and dandy! I am not predjudice, or a homosexual hater!! But i seriously object to, is your insistance on deforming the word of God to suit your own ends, that is pretty obnoxious in my eyes. And, wow, to have a 'shepherd' do that... i fear for that man.

RE: "I just have to say that I am please to see that more and more CT readers are coming around to a position of inclusion rather than literalism."

Well -- except the pro-gay-sex comments here aren't "CT readers" -- they're trolls sent here by a lib blog and gay activists.

And it's quite plain to see.

The good news is that the clear divide between those who believe the Gospel and those who believe another gospel is obvious and demonstrated right here on this thread. There is no unity between those two groups, we don't share the same faiths, and McLaren has essentially expelled himself from Christian fellowship.

That reality will play out in the coming years, and it's a good and appropriate reality. He's forfeited his voice amongst Christians, though certainly he'll be a loud voice amongst progressive activists which is certainly understandable.

"The good news is that the clear divide between those who believe the Gospel and those who believe another gospel is obvious and demonstrated right here on this thread. There is no unity between those two groups, we don't share the same faiths, and McLaren has essentially expelled himself from Christian fellowship." Yes! I was tired of seeing the emergent Trojan Horse parked inside the gates of the Church. The heretical views of the atonement (God is a "cosmic child abuser" because He gave His son for our sin), the disbelief in the inerrancy of scripture, the lack of respect for Paul, the twisting of scripture to support immorality, the condoning of the slaughter of 55 million unborn babies, the advancement of homosexuality within the church, the constant tearing down of evangelicals, the prevailing antinomianism (expressed even here) was wearying. I know it was for Jude. We have more in common with Catholics and Orthodox. Where is this divide going in the next few years? Pray for God's grace and our repentance.

This discussion is very unreal. This world is definitely becoming more and more like Sodom when we have have "Christian" people claiming that homosexual conduct is compatible with true Christianity. If you believe this then you might as well throw away the Bible because it obviously means nothing to you.

Please reconsider your beliefs and embrace a high view of Scripture. It is the only measuring stick that all our human beliefs should be compared against.

There is an obvious profound lack of understanding of the meaning of hate and love in these comments. Stings to hear the truth but it is not hate. - For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4 -

The first book I read by Brian McClaren revealed him to be self righteous leader who created his own set of rule for church and denegrated others who took a traditional and should I add, Biblical position. This doesn't surprise me at all. A so called leader of the young Evangelicals is spiritual blind leading others in darkness.

Ellen writes, "So much judgment and negativity! When have you ever heard Jesus respond this way to any 'sinner'? It seems he reserved his harshest words for the religious people who spoke as you do."

How about "Get behind me, Satan" said to Peter. Jesus did have a harsh words for those who corrupted the Church. He also said that it would be better to have a millstone around your neck and to be cast into the sea than to lead a little one astray. I hope Brian McLaren is a good swimmer.

As long as everyone here, supporting inclusivism and love as acceptance of those who are doing things the law forbids, also would cheer on a man who steals from the poor to give loving gifts to his rich friends, or congratulate the one who steals the wife or husband of another in adultery because the adulterers are now in love, then I'll say your theology and ethics work consistently. The problem is, anyone with an ounce of the sense that the Holy Spirit gave them would condemn such things. And that is what makes you hypocrites, My Friends. I believe that was the term used for the Pharisees Jesus condemned as well, so you're in good company.

My sincere congratulations to the happy couple! And how wonderful that the father of one of the men was able to perform the ceremony. Nothing in the Bible condemns loving, committed relationships between same sex people, and I hope one day soon all people will see that love is love and that "Christian" and "gay" do not have to be mutually exclusive terms.

Well, I'm a CT reader, not "sent over" by any organization, and I do agree that this comment thread reveals a huge divide between Christians who are basing their faith on Jesus Christ alone, and those who have some other "assent to our moral platform and be saved" form of Christianity.
Perhaps we need a series on every sin committed by Christian leaders so we can equally trash them all. (Divorce and remarriage, anyone?) I resonate with Brian's unconditional love for his son, and, although I disagree with his belief on this issue, will bless him, and refrain from judgment of him as a person, as our Lord commanded. The plank in my own eye is burden enough.

@ Janet Hanson You are right! I prefer not to judge anyone either which includes terrorists, wife beaters, Adolf Hitler, rapists, drug pushers, sex traffickers, Westboro Baptist Church, Jim Jones and the like. Maybe just maybe they all have done right....only God knows so let's not say anything bad about them.

Yeah, Julia, nothing in the Bible condems homosexual activity, oops, I mean "gay committed loving", except for Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1Cor 6:9-11, 1 Tim 1:10, 2 Peter 2:6, Romans 1 and Jude 7. All we have to do is ignore Moses, Paul, Peter, Jude, the early church, Augustine, Chrysostom and 3500 years of Jewish and Christian faith and practice. That shouldn’t be hard! And how wonderful that the father got to officiate at the service! What do you not understand about Christian and practicing homosexual, I mean “Gay” (cue Snow White and the tweetie birds!), being antagonistic terms? And how in the world did we redefine those that prefer anal sex and same sex attraction as "Gay"? Niiiice strategic move!
“Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” Julia, why would Paul say, “Do not be decieved”. And why would I even bother to write this?
Just before launching in to his denunciation of homosexuality in the church ("Going after strange flesh") Jesus' half brother Jude says, "I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand [d]marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." I think the motive of most of these commenters is to "contend earnestly". No one here hates homosexuals, we are contending for the faith that leads to salvation.

Huge congratulations to Brian's son and son-in-law on their special day! Love is a beautiful thing.
And big kudos to Brian for performing the ceremony. Again, proof that love conquers all, even formerly-ingrained condemnations.

I have a couple thoughts after reading a lot of the comments here.
First: Biblical inerrancy is not only a new theological concept existing only within the last two centuries at most, it is distinctly UN-orthodox and in fact labeled as heresy by large chunks of Christianity.

Second: There is this wonderful thing called facebook that allows people to share articles and read and comment on them, so yes a broader audience can see this article. So alas, there is not some great liberal blog conspiracy to post lots of comments, as much as people share a links on facebook and viola their friends read it.

Third: To those quoting Scripture to condemn us all to hell and call us false prophets, its not as if we have never heard of those passages before and simply ignore them. Rather, we have wrestled immensely with those texts and looked at them within the broader scope of Scripture. We do not come to the convictions that we have, simply because we are lazy and rebellious, this took years and thoughtful scholarship, for many of us. If you think that the Bible unequivocally denies the freedom to marry to Queer Christians than you should spend more time listening to our stories and hearing who we are and look into the academic work done there, because if anything the Scriptures are ambiguous about loving relationships among LGBT Christians not condemning.

Fourth: Before you judge Brian and his son, maybe you should wait to hear their story and the journey that they are on. Because I do believe that Jesus taught that we would know people by their fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot good fruit. You would like to compare Owen and Trevor's relationship to Alcoholism or Adultery, but explain to me how their love looks like that kind of bad fruit? Alcoholism is horrific it destroys a person and every kind of relationship around them. Adultery is a betrayal of trust and commitment and rends a relationship. So what makes a loving marriage between two gay men fit in the same category as Alcoholism and Adultery? What if their lives consistently reflect the love of Christ and their work edifies the body of Christ and their relationship builds each other up, how is that evil?

As a gay Christian I was faced with this dilemma myself, I prayed for years to be "healed" to not be gay. And I have seen people live nearly their entire lives trying to suppress themselves and not "sin". But this sham of a life harmed countless people including the individuals themselves as they are forced to hide who they are.I would rather live a life that is authentic that sees God's transformation in it, than arrogantly believe that I can become straight and that loving another man is somehow tainted or evil.
Daily I see the wonderous fruit of the Spirit in the countless number of Queer Christians I know both single and married who's lives are submitted to God and who's relationships are as well. These lives and relationships look nothing like what Paul condemned, rather they live and breathe as authentic and natural, and in their love and commitment reflect the Gospel of Christ.

Most of the people on here expressing their disagreement should not be labelled haters. It it their conviction that homosexual behavior is not Biblical and is in fact immoral and sinful. The anus is not meant to be a sex organ.

Most would welcome the opportunity to show love to homosexuals by sharing the Biblical Gospel with them.

Kevin, I am not saying same sex attraction is evil and you will go to hell. The Bible doesnt say that and neither does anyone else on this site. Nor am I saying that falling into homosexual behavior will automatically send you to hell. Hear me. God's grace is bigger than that. I am saying that acting on same sex attraction, anal sex, expressing sexual behavior to same sex partners is sin as clearly defined in the Bible. No worse than adultery but certainly no better either. The problem comes when we are proud of our homosexual behavior and see no need for any change and persist in it. The same as an adulterer who persists in sin and sees no need to change. We are skating on thin ice and I know that you know this. I had an adulterous relationship with a woman and I am not proud of. I still feel a strong attraction to sex outside of marriage and fight it weekly. But there is NO WAY I am giving in and neither should you. You are my brother and we need to conquer this together.

No surprise. Once you abandon biblical authority and adopt a postmodern view of truth...ANYTHING goes. Including sexual ethics. Farewell McLaren. Glad to see you're finally being honest about your extreme liberalism. There's no fooling anyone anymore!

Rick, I think its very clear that Adultery is destructive and harmful and rends right relationship with God and others.
Not only does Scripture not address loving gay Christian relationships, there is nothing about them that is destructive or harmful, to the contrary they are fruitful and they result in benefits to each person in the relationship, in their walk with God, and the Church they are part of.
Where adultery (on the part of a straight or gay person) brings shame, guilt, and brokenness, the exact opposite occurs in a loving gay relationship. If we both read the same Scriptures and out of conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit come to a different conclusion, I am at least left asking what does the fruit say? Deep in my heart I feel at peace being authentic in my identity in Christ now, than I ever did trying to pretend I was straight or suppress my sexual orientation.
What exactly am I supposed to conquer? My love for someone else? My desire to share my life with someone and to enrich their life and challenge them to live a deeper Christian life? I can tangibly see both in Scripture and in real life why Adultery and lust is sin, but I just don't see sin in being gay or just as importantly in choosing to be married to someone of the same sex. Adultery/lust is an act of destruction and harm, while me marrying someone is an act of love and intimately constructive.
I just as you am in need of God's grace and I continue to walk in a way that tries to be humble and thoughtful. I am happy with what God is doing in my life and I feel at peace about this.

So, there you go. It is not enough to tolerate homosexuality, according to Kevin it must be celebrated and advocated as God's best. Anything less is hate speech. Scary place to be but there we are.

All these posts about the morality of homosexuality, the seeming "gay issue". So few posts about gay people. Where is God's heart most broken? For those made to feel on the outside looking in. There is nothing new. I look forward to the day when we can look deeper than this perpetual moral debate, and allow our hearts to be broken and see the opportunity/responsibility to be a part of healing and reconciliation, especially for gay men and women legitimately turned off to God via hurts delivered by us, his representatives. That is the "gay issue" I propose we care more about.

One of the main points is that this "coming out" shows Brian McClaren to be the deceiver that many have known him to be. A colleague of mine had a friend that was struggling with same sex attractions. He approached McClaren and McClaren told him private to just give in and that "Gay was OK." This was a decade ago.

But McClaren has been purposefully obfuscating to sell more books.

The debate is over. "Liberal Christianity" is dead. McClaren's message that a church can grow and be "inclusive" of sin has been shown to be an obvious lie.

To all those speaking of love; there is nothing loving about supporting, encouraging, affirming or remaining silent about sinful behavior. Brian did not participate in an act of love but rather an act of hate.

The word conviction doesn't nullify racism, sexism or heterosexism, It's just a reason / excuse behind the discrimination.

So I can only believe that Mc Claren is a "salad" type Christian that picks and choses the parts of the Word of God that fit his appetite at the time. One could only wonder if Mc Claren's decision to officiate this abomination was more of a way to rationalize and maybe even justify his son's lifestyle to mask his failure to maintain biblical Christian family ethics.

Why is homosexuality a sin or a crime? I distinguish morals that come from God, and ethics that people establish.
The Bible has all sorts of rules in it, and some are honored and some are not. Who is to choose the rules that he/she honors? To hte extent that we accede to the decisions of leaders, we are passively deciding.
Governments and societies pass laws and rules. However, Western culture and laws usually do not charge a person for an action that he/she has no control over. Examples include race, gender, handedness, hair color, and more. The law also exempts individuals lacking the intellectual capacity to be citizens. Those with low IQ or other modes of being less effective are not charged criminally. They may be secured in order to protect society. A primary goal of law is to establish order in society and to protect the citizens.
I am convinced that genes determine one's sexual identity and to whom one is sexually attracted. By custom I would say that being other than heterosexual cannot be a crime, since one has no control over one's sexual orientation. Being heterosexual is not criminal either.
Deciding to exclude one's sexual orientation from criminality is simple. Our legal history makes this clear.
However, interpreting God's will through the Bible or other sources is extremely difficult. By definition no person can truly know God's will. However, God made lots of mammals that exhibit sexual behaviors that are not heterosexual. SHall we condemn these animals? Why? They are part of God's creation.
I believe the real choice is personal. The choice is mine, and unfortunately fo the reader, the choice is yours too. Sall I accept non-hetersexual behavior as being God-created, and as being a part of God's creation? I would restrict that to those species which have demonstrated some form of a citizen's intellect. Hopefully we humans are capable of passing that test. The real choice is to accept that God's creation is at once infinitely complex, and yet I/we/yiou are tasked simple to love God's creation.
Let (GOd's) children come into our midst. The only threat is the one we pose to them.

to all the "Christians" who blessed the "marriage" of these two homosexuals, heed the words of Scripture:

"have NOTHING to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them."

this union is abominable in God's sight, and it disgusts and grieves Him for anyone to lend support to it, for it has its roots in iniquity.

May God grant repentance to Mclaren, his wayward son and to all who would tolerate that which Jesus died to save us from.

If love meant accepting and condoning any and all behavior, this world would be in a sadder state than it already is. Nobody--not even you grace-filled, kind, inclusive non-hypocritical souls--accepts all behaviors. An age has come where the only cool form of faith is that which has no content, other than milquetoast tolerance. Thank God for all of you who have then (non-trendy) courage to take a stand.

The book of James states that mercy triumphs over judgement. And we should all seek to think in terms of mercy and grace towards others, as all have equal value in the sight of our heavenly Father.

That does not allow us to abandon truth and the word of God. Ever. We, like Jesus, can all show love to homosexual men and women without confusing their God created identity with their own sexual choices, which are two entirely different things. I hear the homosexual community asking others to equate their value with their sexual behavior, as if to not do so is to not value them as people. Actually, we can choose to affirm them as individuals without acceding to their behavior. There is a distinction and an important one it is.

Brian has been heading away from truth for a long time and sadly he appears to believe he has a greater understanding than the majority of Christ followers. I judge this by listening to him, by reading his writings and observing his fruit.

The actions of Brian, his son and partner are grievous to me, and make my heart sad in that I believe it cheapens the value of the blood of Christ. We were bought with a price, not with corruptible gold and silver but with the precious blood of Christ who died to save us from our sins.

May God have mercy on the church and its descent into Laodicea, here in the US and wherever the church is alive.

Those of you who are condemning make me sad. The Bible calls for us to confront our OWN sin, not act as the policeman for others. Our own hearts and our own actions are always many times greater than those of others. Judgment is the job of the Lord and He only. And he sent his only Son here to Earth, to suffer, for the judgment that we deserve.

Those of you who are all so perfect and without sin, to be speaking hatefully to judge others, congratulations. But we all know that you are only fooling yourself, under Satan's watchful eye, and that you are speaking out of turn. I will pray for God's mercy on you.

Love is never wrong. And God loves us all.

@ Doug thank you for judging everyone else. If you been consistent you would have even posted what you did.

Having said that I wonder what people really mean by 'not judging'? If it means by determining and appointing ones eternal destiny then that job is for God alone. On the other hand if it means making an assessment of ones thoughts or actions as to whether or not they are right or wrong then scripture call us to do that. Me thinks that the expression 'Don't judge' is interpreted to really mean 'Don't question what I do or say' . Most of those who over use the phrase (Matt 7:1) use it as a protective verse to justify their behavior and to avert criticism. However most of the same people who quote that verse will then turn to contradict themselves and judge others one minute later.

@Kevin

To whom is Paul speaking here?

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
(Romans 1:24-28 ESV)

I am saddened by the many confused souls here who confuse tolerance with biblical morality, and who would rather take the easy route of praising a "handsome couple" rather than the necessary route of saying that no matter how good something feels or appears, no matter how right you would like it to be, enduring truth of Christian morality and sexual teaching is the way real way of life. "Gay" is a tragically misappropriated word for a orientation or lifestyle that no one really wants. No one is perfect, but the deliberate soft-peddling of hard sexual ethics does no one a favor.

For those of you who want to pretend that Jesus did not condemn immoral behavior, I call your attention to the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John (Rev. 21:8):

8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” ESV

Don't shoot me. I'm just the messenger. If God says, "don't do this" then what right do I have to say, "God, I know you said this, but I don't think you really meant it." Again, I call your attention to Jesus' words in John 12:48 where he clearly says that his words are the standard for judgment. Remember, the Yahweh of the Old Testament is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. He does not change. If you reject his words, you reject him.

John 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

C'mon people! Wise up!

Jesus taught us to hate the sin but love the sinner. Sin is an offense against God, an act of rebellion against His authority. For that reason, I try to live a lifestyle of repentance, to bring my will and life into submission to God and His Word.

Jesus tells us in Revelation 2:20-22, "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways." (I didn't say that, Jesus did).

According to the Greek lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary, "immorality" is "porneia" defined as: illicit sexual intercourse adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc."

When we call behavior "sin" according to Scripture, we're seen as intolerant. Jesus had something to say about that, so listen to Him.

where and from whom are we getting our concept of love? And would someone please show me any text that would suggest Jesus would be just fine, afirming and dandy with a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman? where?

What does marriage have to do with sex? I suggest Biblically taking each point to the core of what each person believes. Two become one flesh, and in spirit there is unity. Also, do homosexual Christians practice their other beliefs in a more traditional or contemporary way? Should that even matter? I have what I believe but there's some food for thought if anyone is interested in studying what they believe or finding things out for themselves.

If homosexual marriage reaches a corporate Christian gray area (meaning there is no scripture clearly stating for or against) then it would fall under the "Everything is acceptable but not everything is beneficial" category, which would require a relationship with God and hearing his voice to discern our steps. Anyway, if a homosexual Christian is doing that and going through the steps all Christians do to hear and abide the word of God, and in spirit, there isn't much to worry about, right?

This CT story is not taking place in a vacuum. It's occurring at a time when the "Christian" president of the USA (yes, the quotemarks are intentional), is 100 percent pushing hard to legalize gay marriage in America. It's occurring at a time when constitutional religious freedom for Christian owners of private businesses are under attack.

America--and America's Christians--are now on a collision course with divine judgment. You can even see the growing level of confusion among Christians, as they no longer quite believe God's Word. Thousands are praying for God to turn things around. One thing is for sure: this is a very critical time for our nation, and this CT news story is one more illustration.

@Wanda,
I wholeheartedly believe in Scripture and it's role in the Christian community as a witness to the Christ who is the embodiment of Truth.

There are a few passages in Scripture that people tend to mull over and as I said earlier we aren't simply ignoring them, we just don't see what they have to do with gay people who are following Christ.

You brought up the passage from Romans 1, this is probably the most popular passage (outside of Leviticus), that people look to.
First of all, I would highly recommend you watch the Matthew Vines video, where he gives detailed treatment of the texts in question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY

I think its very relevant to look at passages of Scripture within their context and within the broader milieu of the Gospel. We see here Paul addressing the Church in Rome and setting up a discourse on idol worship, in this time heterosexual men (and women) were engaged in the temple worship of idols and this worship included homosexual acts, which would be a violation of their nature as a straight person. But the key thing that Paul is trying to address here, is that these people are already demonstrating that they are evil not simply because of having same-sex sexual relations, but that their idolatry is so profound that every area of their lives reflects their rejection of God. Let's not stop at verse 28, lets continue the entire passage:
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

So now I look at Christians who are wholeheartedly and steadfastly following Christ, whose lives continue to bear the fruit of the Spirit and just like everyone else seeks transformation for the parts of their lives that are broken. If this passage was referring to gay Christians who are living like this than we have to ask ourselves why than is the entire passage not apply, because we can't throw out any of the Scripture that we have here? Why aren't they also filled with: "murder, strife, deceit and malice"? Why aren't they all "gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful"? Paul said these idol worshipers had "no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy." Yet when I look at the fruit in the lives of Gay Christians I see none of these characteristics, their relationships are filled with love, mercy, compassion, service, fidelity, and humility.
In light of this, I am forced to believe that Paul is not addressing being gay or lesbian in general, rather he is addressing idol worship that includes homosexual acts.

Hi.

God speaks through His creation as well as His written word.

Men and women FIT. Men and men do not.

End of argument.

Its interesting that Christians in India, China, Malaysia and most of Africa are in a large majority on agreement that the authority of the scriptures are true. The Bible speaks against homosexuality. Its only in the west where Christians have been duped into walking away fromt he scriptures truths. The next frontier will be having two spouses or that sexual immorality is ok. Significant that many Episcopal churches now have rejected the poor leadership of AMerican Episcopal leadership who can't figure out the authority of the scriptures and have placed themselves under the strong and true leadership of the Bishop of Uganda who like most Africans is clear on the authority of the scriptures. Rakesh from India

God is Love! How's that for scripture? It seems most of you have forgot about love and just decided to cast judgement. Let's leave those judgements for the One who can see all things and is reconciling all things, through (with) the life of Christ. What type of "chrtistian" uses the hurtful words that you read in these comments? It's certainly not the type that loves their neighbor as theirself. Keep your hate to yourself because this world has enough of it, and please stop identifying it with Christ.

This is a very sad day indeed. Christian leaders like Mclearen are obviously struggling with certain elements of their christian traditions. Unfortunately they have landed in a place that seeks to re-define God in the image of man instead of mankind being perfected into the image of God. My priest once told me; As I walk through the ecclesial garden that I am responsible to attend to. I find a weed and go to pull it out so the flowers may continue to bloom. However, before I do, Brian Mclearan stops me and says "what are you doing? That is not a weed but a new flower!" Postmodern Christianity continues to cling to the very worst of modernism in thinking they have an enlightened ability to interpreted and redefine the faith once delivered to the saints.

Jesus never said a word of condemnation of homosexuality or abortion. He was clear and forceful in his condemnation of DIVORCE. Conservatives who think that opposing homosexuality and abortion are the tests of who is "Christian" are saying that Jesus wasn't a "Christian". And it is indeed true of the kind of "Christians" who embrace Republican leaders like Rush Limbaugh, Congressman Bob Barr and former Speaker who between them have been married TEN TIMES (after SEVEN DIVORCES)!
What kind of so-called Christian clergyman overlooks the necessity that forgiveness must be preceeded by REPENTANCE, and TURNING AWAY FROM SIN? How can Gingrich be "forgiven" while he stays with his sinful partner?

Wow !!!!!

I Can't Believe It A Emergent Church Founder Had A SON MARRY His Same SEX PARTNER !!!!! What's Next He Will Say There Is No HEAVEN/HELL !!!! Sounds Like A NEW WAVE Movement Called Resurgence Etc That We LEFT On Time Before More False Teachings We Were Being LIED Too !!!!!!

The bible is clear on what sin is and that we are to avoid sin as much as possible by believing and obeying God. No amount of ignoring the Holy Spirit's voice and conviction, choosing to give into sin and listening to Satan, and making up lies to excuse evil is going to save you. EVERYONE knows the truth and has the choice to accept or reject it. For the mere fact that people are denying the truth proves that they know the truth. How can you be a Christian, but not follow Christianity? Jesus has his gospel and being pro-gay goes against his gospel. Since people want their own gospel, they shouldn't call themselves Christian or claim that Jesus all of a sudden agrees with them. We are all born in sin and every sinful feeling bamboozles us into thinking that it's good and natural. But, God's word explains what is truly good and natural.

All pro-[insert sin] people refuse to let God be their final authority on truth and instead look to other humans and themselves. Willfully ignoring the bible, which is plainly written, and claiming that it isn't true, shouldn't be taken literally, or is vague shows great folly. Apply that attitude to government laws and no one would be in jail or prison. Plus, everything we call a crime would be encouraged, including serial raping and murder. How convenient that people have this attitude with God's laws, which are more important and dangerous to ignore! By the way, if people were to let God be their final authority on truth, pro-gay arguments or any other sin excusing wouldn't exist.

Also, even if people look to science, they will see that homosexuality is not genetic and cannot be compared with things like race. With that, people would also see that sexually transmitted diseases are higher amongst homosexuals, especially HIV, etc (and yes, I know there are other ways of getting it). Look at the CDCs website for the these statistics. Look at all relevant scientific studies to see that no study supports the lie that homosexuals are born that way and have no choice.

Lastly, God created Adam and Eve, a male and a female. He commanded them to populate and take care of the earth. He told them this famous verse that for that reason, ie that a man will leave his parents and cleave onto his wife and they two will be made one flesh. Nothing there supports homosexuality, especially since it's impossible for homosexuals to procreate. The union of a man and woman is spiritual and physical. It is meant for only a man and woman. In this respect, opposites attract. A man has his sex organ with its shape and function and a woman has her sex organ with its shape and function for procreation. This is also proof that homosexuality is against nature. Common sense tells you that! So, whether you believe the bible or look at nature, it is evident that homosexuality is wrong.

To all of the willfully disobedient: Stop being willfully ignorant drones that repeat and believe false rhetoric because it excuses your evil. It would be wise for you to stop disrespecting God with your willful disobeying, denying, and redefining of his word. He gave his commands to help you, and he is VERY clear that homosexual relations is an abomination to him and worthy of death, like all other sins. God made it clear that sexual sins are more dangerous than physical sins because they harm more than just the body.

God also commands us to correct one another, gently or harshly, depending on the level of arrogance in the backslid person. Telling people truth=love. Lying=hate. Speaking harshly has nothing to do with love or hate. It's just simply a way of speaking.

For all the people who say "scripture cannot be broken," I'd only like to remind you that your ancestors also taught that it was perfectly OK to hold animate property --that'd be human beings--as slaves. If you go back 160 years or so, you'll see the good churchmen absolutely up in arms about the abolitionists who helped slaves escape from their masters. The Bible is absolutely clear--slavery is permitted. But it is also absolutely against the Constitution and the laws of the land.

As gay marriage becomes more and more the law of the land, I expect the good Christians will change their minds.

Congratulations to Trevor and Owen! I am glad your father had the courage to celebrate your love.

@Deana.. I think that you are confusing what God throughout His word tolerated from us ..with what He "commands" us to do or not to do. It does not say you "must" have a slave or it is an abomination. It does however say that the homosexual will not (WILL NOT) inherit the kingdom of God. Why would anyone want to just call themselves a Christian if they do not want to inherit the kingdom of God? So then if they do want to inherit the kingdom of God then we should love them by pointing out the clear teaching of 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.
We must NOT follow the "laws of the land" when they command us to sin.. remember the whole fiery furnace, lions den, stop preaching the gospel or we'll kill you part.. this is what sets apart the bride of Christ from those who just "call" themselves Christians.

The many condemnations shared toward Brian McLaren are a sad commentary on Christian love and charity. If your rallying point is hatred of a significant percentage of the population as a result of outmoded ways of engaging with scripture, you unfortunately lack the eyes to see and ears to hear. In a world where poverty, water rights, safety for girls, infanticide, and eugenics remain stalwarts in the prevailing power structures, Christians must find a way to unite and to do the loving and service that Jesus asked of people when he declared that to love God and your neighbor were the greatest of the commandments.
Mr. McLaren, wrote something that is instructive in a response to a 'farewell' note he received:
I want to add one more brief comment. You ask, if we change our way of interpreting the Bible on this issue (my words, not yours) "- what else will happen next?" Here's what I hope will happen. After acknowledging the full humanity and human rights of gay people, I hope we will tackle the elephant in the room, so to speak - the big subject of poverty. If homosexuality directly and indirectly affects 6 - 30% of the population, poverty indirectly and directly affects 60 - 100%. What would happen if we acknowledged the full humanity and full human rights of poor people? And then people with physical disabilities and mental illnesses and impairments? And then, what after that? What would happen if we acknowledged the spiritual, theological, moral value - far beyond monetary or corporate value - of the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, of seas and mountains and valleys and ecosystems? To me, Jesus' proclamation of the reign or commonwealth of God requires us to keep pressing forward, opening blind eyes, setting captives free, proclaiming God's amazing grace to all creation.

God is love,
Those who love, know God,
Those who don't love, don't know God, because God is love,
Therefore, let us love on another.

God is Christlike, and in him there is no unChristlikeness at all.

All the rest is smoke and mirrors.

What is love? Jesus said to the woman found in the act of adultery 'go and sin no more'. Sounds a bit judgmental. Perhaps he didn't love her and was a hater which many of these liberal folks like to call you when you mention a sin. I'm a sinner who was saved from sin. I'm no longer a slave to sin thanks to Jesus' costly sacrifice. I thank the christian who upset me and told me the truth about my personal sin. He doesn't even know I'm saved but he loved my soul enough to lay it on the line. He wasn't seeking my favor or the world's. He was seeking the favor of the Father.True love! The big question for me is which Jesus are folks talking about. The Jesus of the scriptures is the one who called folks to repent for the Kingdom was near. The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. Is the Holy Spirit a hater? No, to warn someone is love. To endorse someone's sin is actually unloving. This is not judgmental, we are all guilty of adultery, lying, stealing, idolatry, covetousness, murder (hatred). how loving is it to see our brother or sister in bondage to what Jesus calls sin and not look out for them.

What sounds like love, it can be hate
What sounds like hate, it can be love

Well done to Brian for following the wedding though. nice article