Is it true that Jesus said nothing about homosexual practice? Can we be sure that the children of same sex couples suffer no disadvantages from their parents’ lifestyles and ideologies? Is ‘transgender’ mainly about individuals receiving compassion, or an altering of reality for all of us? Should Christians spend time analysing and countering the effects of the sexual revolution, or does this detract from gospel ministry?
These were some of the questions being asked at ‘The New Normal’, a conference organized by Christian Concern which took place at the Emmanuel Centre, London on 11–12 November.
Lesbian parents
The presentations at the event, which drew about 200 delegates, used biblical exegesis, literary criticism, drama, social science and philosophy to address some of these sharply contemporary issues. Central to the programme was Professor Bobby Lopez from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Texas, who gave two keynote addresses, performed in a play entitled Sunlight (on the Friday evening), and who co-edited a book, Jephthah’s Children, which was launched at the conference.
Lopez himself grew up in a family parented by two lesbian women and experienced the gay lifestyle for some years before a crisis of fatherlessness, conversion to Christ, and marriage to a woman. In spite of facing vicious vilification and professional disadvantage, he has campaigned actively for the authentic voices of children from same sex households to be heard in debates about adult ‘rights’.
Threat to children’s innocence
Delegates also heard from Britain-based speakers: New Testament scholar John Nolland on the teaching of Paul and Jesus about sexual immorality; Dan Moody (author of The Flesh Made Word ) on the crisis of identity and language that results when a male legally becomes a ‘she’; researchers Brian Hadley and Patricia Morgan on the relentless promotion of LGBT ideology through primary school ‘anti-bullying’ programmes; and many others. Opportunities for discussion and prayer followed the talks.
There may be a silencing of truth in the public square, increasing restrictions on gospel freedoms and a real threat to children’s innocence and safety. The church does not need to capitulate or retreat, but can be salt and light amid the confusion.
