Bravo!!

It's wonderful that such a great Christian leader reveals his struggle but also the power to overcome it.
He is a true disciple of Christ and he will be attacked both by the religious right (judging him when he is following Christ faithfully) and by the religious left for living in celibacy (that they say it can't be done) and by refusing to reinterpret the texts to fit convenience.

Vaughan Roberts is a faithful and excellent teacher and preacher of the word. I go to St Ebbe's on a Sunday evening and certainly regard Vaughan as a good friend - as he is to so many, young and old alike. If he is attacked by right or left one would think he has enough friends in Oxford who will support him, gather around him and pray for him - which they are probably doing in any case. So he says that 'his struggle with sexual sin does not define him as a homosexual'. Of course it doesn't. You can be sexually tempted and strongly heterosexual. How many Christians experience this struggle? Vaughan Roberts is being openly honest and the headlines are a cheap form of sensationalism. Come to St Ebbe's and see the man as he really is - friendly, pastoral, outstanding teacher and preacher and leading a vibrant church and team - catering for students and non students alike - in the centre of Oxford.

I agree that this is a good thing. Such courage and trust in God we should all have. May you continue to know the love of Jesus, Mr. Roberts.

However, the suggestion that there is a "religious left" who say that someone who experiences same-sex attraction cannot be celibate is a strawman argument and creates a non-existent dichotomy between camps. I have never encountered such a group who insist that people, gay or straight, must engage in sexual relations. To my understanding, there are two positions within the LGBTQ community in which some believe that God blesses same-sex relationships (termed 'Side A') and others who believe that God requires celibacy (termed 'Side B'). They might disagree but no one insist that celibate people must have sexual relationships.

This is beautiful....thank you Mr. Roberts for standing up for the Biblical worldview in the midst of a hostile culture which says you must be defined by your sexual orientation. May Christ continue to strengthen you in your battle against your sinful flesh, as he does with all us sinners who are saved by grace. What a great article!

I am amazed that this is newsworthy. He is simply confessing openly a sin (and it could be any sin) that Christ has given him victory over. That this should be news tells me more about the state of the church than Rev Roberts. I am so pleased though that he has stated that that temptation to homosexuality does not define him as homosexual.That is a key issue. God bless you Mr Roberts! I only wish that you could have been further healed to enjoy what God had for you as a man and a husband.

Thank you for sharing this. God can indeed heal all sexual brokenness ( lust, porn, adultery, homosexual behavior, other sexual deviance, etc...)

There is nothing loving about supporting sinful behavior whether its your own or others. And the idea that there was a male lover for the centurion has been debunked ad nauseum.

Rev. Roberts wasn't confessing to A sin, but of BEING a sin. That's just sad.

I have know Vaughan for over 25 years he is a personal friend as well as my Christian leader and I'm proud to call him both. I have been going to St. Ebbe's since 1986. All of us are sinners. Some of us battle with different sins. I myself used to be addicted to cocaine but with God's help and abundant Grace I have beaten it. I don't define myself as an ex-drug addict but as a sinner saved by Christ's death on the cross, and that is the SAME for all Christians. It's also THE ONLY definition of a person that matters. Gregory Peterson I think you need to understand the definition of sin. Temptation is not a sin..... Jesus Himself was tempted by the devil but DIDN'T give in.

I think it's time for a more honest, less hysterical, approach to the subject of homosexuality. Why is everyone so delighted with this sudden honesty and not surprised by the lengthy duplicity? It is not of any interest whether a person is or is not homosexual; what is interesting is why they should hide it - are they turned on in some way by the betrayal?