By Rev. J. Patrick Fitzgerald

We hear many voices today calling for the acceptance of homosexuality within Church and society. These voices would have us cast off our "homo-phobia" and affirm relationships of love and commitment.

It is a remarkable thing to watch. As the homosexual community comes out of the closet, numbers of church people are entering the closet! It appears that, as homosexuals come out, others become afraid to come out, afraid to call sin, SIN. While we can now hear a plethora of voices telling us that the Bible is wrong, there is a dearth of voices who will stand up for (he Bible's legitimacy.

It is true that we are a church of grace, where the sinner can rejoice in forgiveness. But we can not become a body which affirms and rejoices in sinning.

In our drive, indeed, our zeal, to be free from the strictures of law, paradoxically, it is still the law – both as curb and mirror – that serves to drive us to the cross. If we ignore God's law, soon even the clearest commandments will be denied because they were "only meant to apply to an ancient cultic way of life!" And the modern cult of self-satisfaction will become the ultimate standard.

The great heresies of the early church were recognized and forcefully denied. But it appears that this one, namely, that certain forms of practiced homosexuality are without sin, will even fail to be identified as a Christian heresy.

Does a certified percentage of homosexuals in any given population group, presently estimated as anywhere between one and 10 percent, certify that activity as a proper and acceptable lifestyle? We might as well argue that because even up to 100 percent of us suffer toothaches, we should bless and seek out such experiences because of their frequency.

In the ELCA document, "A guide for pastoral care in matters concerning homosexuality," Harold Skillrud and Richard Shaper begin their discussion quoting the Talmud (an interesting diversion!). "We do not see things as they are; we see things as we arc." This statement is true. We see things as sinful human beings.

At the same time we seek to be accepted, a need that is a very basic part of our human nature. God has shown us acceptance in Jesus Christ. It is our call to share that acceptance and affirmation with every person.

But while Jesus accepted al! people and died for their sins, He also rebuked those who used their faith to promote their own self-indulgent interests. Are we then really helping homosexuals to come to know God in a clearer way, by affirming their activities? Or are we rather tying a millstone around their necks – and our own as well – by telling them their activity is not only acceptable to God, but one that God affirms?

I am convinced our pastoral care of persons with homosexual tendencies should be caring, loving, and clear enough to say that homosexual practice is a sin, which should be resisted just as any other sin.

Yes, we need to care; yes, we need to reach out in concern; yes, we need to show love and compassion; yes, we need to put a stop to die belligerence, the prejudice, die put-downs, the psychological and physical attacks. And we need to do these things before wecan expect to be listened to, before we can help another of God's creation to deal with sin.

I am a sinner. I know this very clearly. I am reminded of it daily. Nevertheless I do not plan to arrive al this year's synod assembly with a fist full of documents that attempt lo convince die voting majority dial an acknowledged sin of mine (participated in by up to 90 percent of Americans according to surveys) is not a sin at all. I will not argue at the microphone that my sin, because of its frequency in the population, is a legitimate expression of human nature and that it should be affirmed whenever I participate in it publicly or privately – because that's the way I am.

Indeed, sin IS a legitimate expression of our broken human nature. It is the way we are. "If we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us". We confess that truth during our Sunday worship hour. But instead of seeking sanction and approval for my sin, I will continue to fight the good fight and resist sin and the devil. That is what we are called to do in God's Word. And when I inevitably find again that I continue to need Jesus, I will also again turn to my Savior for forgiveness.

Those who promote homosexual practice as an alternative lifestyle tell us that until we throw the doors wide open to such behavior we will not be able to minister to homosexuals. Rather, it must be clear, as soon as we open the doors to them in the way in which they seek, we will have lost the ability to minister lo their need, that is, to recognize sin for what it is, namely, that brokenness which separates us from God. We will have los t the opportunity and denied our responsibility to call them to repentance, to turn to God to be restored in a relationship of wholeness.

How can we meet the needs of the homosexual community, making Hie church a safe place for them to express themselves and a place where they can find the answer for sin, the answer for the brokenness in which we all share? How can we be a warm and welcome place to those in need of our care and concern, and yet affirm and uphold the biblical standard which our ELCA professes to follow? That is the real question we ought to be answering. That is the issue we ought to be studying.

This is not only the issue for homosexuals. It is the very heart and soul of the church – to be the place for sinners to find forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

* Fitzgerald pastors The Berea Lutheran Church in Hilmar, California.