Evangelicals also speak out against homosexuality
Buenos Aires, November 18, 2009 (AICA) Homosexual acts "are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to natural law. Prevent sexual union reaches gift of life making it a sterile instrument. For all this can not be approved under any circumstances, by the Church. This is expressed in a statement from the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Argentina (STEEL), whose president is the pastor Hugo Baravalle, before the debate on homosexuality and the moral and ethical view on homosexual acts is installed in recent times in society.
For that reason, "the churches represented by STEEL kept his clear position on this, which can not be changed by pressure from civil legislation, the current fashion of coercion or groups for whom homosexuality is, if not entirely good at least a reality completely harmless. "
The full text of the statement follows:
Homosexuality: reaffirming Gospel values
In recent months there has been installed in our society a serious debate about homosexuality and the moral and ethical judgments about homosexual acts. Often in the discussion of the issue are proposed arguments and positions are expressed not in conformity with the teaching of the Christian faith, which raises a fair concern to all those engaged in pastoral ministry within our churches.
As Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Argentina (STEEL) have formed interdisciplinary teams to study and thorough investigation of such a complex problem. We wish to share with the public this paper, whose focus is concentrated in a specific context from the perspective of Christian morality.
Our position, from ethics and morality, is based on the Word of God, Scripture, and is guided by a fervent desire to do the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. We intend, at the same time, learn from the discoveries and contributions of human sciences, taking a firm guarantee that the vision of the Church respects the complexity of the human person as a whole (spirit, soul and body), stating as a central truth each individual has been created by God and by His Divine Grace, called to be an heir of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Only within this context can clearly understand in what sense the phenomenon of homosexuality, with its effects on society and the life of the Church, is a problem that concerns itself with the pastoral concern of the Christian Church.
Therefore, we are aware that it requires of pastors and Christian leaders a thorough review, a concrete commitment and careful thought, theologically balanced.
STEEL stance against the problem Homosexual
Some aspects of our concern and position on homosexuality were exposed time to time in documents issued under the title: "Abortion and homosexuality, the position of the Evangelical Christian Churches affiliated STEEL, dated 16/07/2003, and entitled "Concern against the Civil Union Act", dated 20/07/2003.
Today, expanding the ideas put forward at that time, we must emphasize that our duty is to try to understand the homosexual condition in all its expression. As pastors of souls must show wisdom, compassion and sensitivity to judge trends and homosexual acts, especially the complexities involved in this subject, which as described above.
The case of "Pastor" Homosexual
Earlier this week, among those who agreed to civil unions and benefits, granted by the "Civil Union Act" enacted by the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, came a person who told the media his alleged condition priest or evangelical pastor, openly gay and in exercise of a pastorate. In this regard, note that the person does not belong to any denomination or confession STEEL Related to the Evangelical Christian faith we profess, or to their doctrines established for over 150 years in Argentina.
The use of terms and concepts skillfully mixing, so give them a plausible appearance of Christianity and veracity, is the mechanism used long ago by sectarian groups that seek to pass their deceptive proselytism "Christians" when they are in open opposition to evangelical doctrine.
Grave doctrinal error diffusion
Moreover, in recent times has emerged an exegesis of the Scriptures as hermeneutics seeks to establish that the Bible condemns homosexuality or in some cases even approved it. Such opinions, seriously wrong and misleading, require our absolute condemnation, we must openly declare as false, handling the Word of God to pretend that this never confirm what she said.
On this particular aspect, the Christian doctrine is not based only on isolated phrases out of context and manipulated on which we can draw questionable theological arguments, but rather is affirmed on the solid foundation of a constant biblical testimony.
Firm Stance
Therefore, since is irreducible STEEL declare that the strong stance in which Biblical Scripture presents homosexual acts as serious deviations (Gen. 19:1-29, Rom 1: 24-27, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1 : 10).
The Churches represented by STEEL kept his position clear on this subject, can not be changed by pressure from civil legislation, the current fashion of coercion or groups for whom homosexuality is, if not wholly good, at least a reality totally innocuous.
Homosexuality and discrimination
But we must also say that we deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the subject of malicious expressions and violent actions. Such behavior deserves condemnation from the pastors and members of the Evangelical Church, wherever they happen. The above actions demonstrate a lack of respect for others, that injures the basic principles based on coexistence of society. The dignity of each person must always be respected in our actions and in our expressions.
However, the reaction against the injustices committed against homosexuals in any way can lead to the assertion that the condition of homosexuality is not disordered.
With his feet now and the vision to the future
As noted, STEEL has set to work to its interdisciplinary team of specialists: doctors, psychologists, lawyers, sociologists and theologians to address the issue of homosexuality in its depth and complexity. Looking at all the edges that has a permissive law, as to express to timely, open the way for other exceptions veiled behind the claims of a minority whose impact on the global level and are widely known, such as laws regarding the possibility of adoption by gay couples.
We therefore urge a careful examination of pastoral resource guide aimed at gay people, for reaffirming what Christian doctrine teaches through the Word of God, men and homosexual women receive care that they need and who have right by the filial love that our Lord said, manifest, and manifest in every human being as a result of its creation.
STEEL Buenos Aires, 29/08/1903. +
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