Last week there was a minor flurry of interest going on in Christian circles following an article published by Steve Chalke. Among the responses that I read were those of Steve Holmes and David Kerrigan each of which was gracious, thoughtful and thought provoking. There have also been a couple of interesting /pertinent Baptist Times articles here and here. What I am especially encouraged by, thus far, is that these contributors (all Baptists) are engaged in a proper, grown-up conversation, even a proper, grown-up, Baptist conversation.
You may agree with Steve Chalke or you may not, but I, for one, am glad that his article seems to have precipitated open, thoughtful and public conversation on this topic which is not going to go away just because we ignore it. I am pleased and privileged to count among my friends gay people in relationships (legally recognised or not) and gay people who are committed to celibacy; Baptist ministers who support, cautiously or whole-heartedly, committed same sex relationships (some using the term marriage, some not) and Baptist ministers who cannot in good conscience affirm anything other than celibacy or heterosexual monogamy.
When Baptists get it right, we can live graciously with difference and disagreement without resorting to mud-slinging or cheap attacks. I really hope that now we can begin to talk about this topic and move forward together as a reconciled diversity.
[Since this is a controversial topic, can I remind readers that opinions expressed here are mine, and will not necessarily accord with those of my church, the BUS or the BUGB]