Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Andy Gill

Home
Progressive Christian
The Beauty of Egalitarianism Also Goes Beyond Gender…

The Beauty of Egalitarianism Also Goes Beyond Gender…

Last updated on: July 31, 2018 at 11:42 pm by Andy Gill

The Beauty of Egalitarianism Also Goes Beyond Gender… 2018-07-31T23:42:57-05:00 Andy Gill

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

George Hunsinger, professor at Princeton Theological, known as one of the world’s foremost scholars on Karl Barth (granted, there’s only like 5 of them – but, his wife is a genius so, he must be something to hang with her).

But, George goes on to say that “Thielicke criticizes Karl Barth (and rightly so) for the position he took on homosexuality in Church Dogmatics. However, like many others, Thielicke was unaware that Barth later changed his mind. In light of conversations with medical doctors and psychologists, Barth came to regret that he had characterized homosexuals as lacking in the freedom for fellowship. In the end he, too, found it necessary to interpret the plain sense of Scripture in light of advances in modern knowledge. (Barth and Thielicke, by the way, both played a role in decriminalizing homosexuality in German society.) (Barth, Offene Briefe, 1945-1968, Zurich, 1984, pp. 542-43.)”. [2]

Alongside Karl Barth, McCracken goes on to seemingly leverage the words of C.S. Lewis a man with a vague but muddled sexual history (you can read more about it here) who, for the most part, remained publicly silent on the topic of sexuality[4].

The point here is simply that, regardless of what side you’re on (the left or the right [not limited to]) you should never twist the words of the deceased to back your agenda; especially if it’s unclear where they land.

“But you can be sure that his opinion on this point did not and does not imply as such a license for ‘defamation,’ let alone for the (nonsensical) legal ‘punishment’ of homosexuals (at least insofar as they do not ‘seduce’ or ‘harass’ others).”

If “Contrast is fundamental to what we find beautiful….”

What stands out to me is when McCracken says, “Contrast is fundamental to what we find beautiful. It is central to the most spellbinding paintings, the most memorable culinary experiences, the most stirring symphonies.”

If contrast is beautiful then why does there seem to be an inability to recognize the beauty in contrasting forms of sexuality?

Furthermore, is not beauty subjective?

And, if beauty is subjective then what good will come from an entire institutional force calling an isolated sect of society “ugly.” (just using their binaries, analogies and structure here)

In the words of Tim Keller, TGC’s founder, “Heterosexuality doesn’t get you into heaven…”[3]

The Gospel has become, far too often, about who’s right or wrong, who’s in and who’s out…

We’ve created what Karl Barth Scholar, George Hunsinger, calls, “unfree community.” He defines it as “namely, as a behavior in which one closes oneself to and withdraws from one’s freedom for community.”

It’s as if we’ve taken not just the words of Lewis and Barth and we’ve contorted them to say what pleases us…

In my opinion, I feel that before someone casts a stone of condemnation for another individual’s sexual orientation they should forfeit ownership of their internet history (including their deleted and/or incognito history).

[Until next time, hit me up on Facebook to follow along with future content of mine]

[2] From Karl Barth’s Flip Flop on Homosexuality: “As an appendix, I have provided an English translation of Offene Briefe (1945-1968) to substantiate George Hunsinger’s quotation. Based on my reading of Hunsinger, in general, he is a reliable witness to untranslated Barthianisms! Therefore, anyone who quotes CD III/4 to oppose homosexuality without mentioning Barth’s letter in Offene Briefe (1945-1968) has put forth an irresponsible hermeneutic. Has such a person tried to understand Barth here and now, or are they gathering ammo for an a priori prejudice that which to oppose?“

[3]Tim Keller, Veritas Forum

[4] Although, to be fair: here’s a rare letter where Lewis does speak of homosexuality

Previous Post

July 29, 2018

Was Trump's 2016 Election Rigged?

Next Post

August 5, 2018 What “Using the Lord’s Name in Vain” Actually Means…

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Books Buzzfeed Christian Church Church Culture Dating Dechurched eXvangelical Guest Post Humor Inspirational Justice LGBTQ Life Marriage Media Millennials Mini Post Monday Money Podcast Politics Race Reason Relationships Science Sex Socioeconomic Theology Theology Uncategorized Video Wednesday Youth Ministry

Select a Month June 2020 March 2020 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I fell from a third-story window during a long sermon and died. But I was raised back to life. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Tabitha A young man Dorcas Eutychus

Support this
Column