So, remind me again, who was offended?
March 26, 2014
Christianity Today reports that World Vision has reversed its decision of two days ago and will not now employ people in same sex marriages.
The letter announcing the decision is interesting. The language of 'mistake' is used, though at least this time as the object of an active verb, not the subject of a passive. Further, while the Board asks for forgiveness, this is apparently for the pain and confusion caused to the constituency.
This is quite a contrast to the language used in the latest First Things by my old Aberdeen University colleague and friend, now Notre Dame professor, Francesca Murphy, who applies the language of blasphemy to the idea of gay marriage. I do not share all of Francesca's theology of marriage but I appreciate that she reminds us that sin is primarily against God. Forgiveness from fellow humans who have been 'hurt' is one thing; Forgiveness from the God who is blasphemed, however, is quite another. It seems that the spirit of Psalm 51:4 has virtually vanished from the too-big-to-fail ministries, church and parachurch, in the evangelical world.
Cynics would no doubt see the absence of any concept of having offended against God in
these 'mistake' idiom statements, of which there have been a number over recent weeks, as something of a poker tell and would want to follow the money. But regular readers of this blog know that I am the last person to be cynical about such things.....
The letter announcing the decision is interesting. The language of 'mistake' is used, though at least this time as the object of an active verb, not the subject of a passive. Further, while the Board asks for forgiveness, this is apparently for the pain and confusion caused to the constituency.
This is quite a contrast to the language used in the latest First Things by my old Aberdeen University colleague and friend, now Notre Dame professor, Francesca Murphy, who applies the language of blasphemy to the idea of gay marriage. I do not share all of Francesca's theology of marriage but I appreciate that she reminds us that sin is primarily against God. Forgiveness from fellow humans who have been 'hurt' is one thing; Forgiveness from the God who is blasphemed, however, is quite another. It seems that the spirit of Psalm 51:4 has virtually vanished from the too-big-to-fail ministries, church and parachurch, in the evangelical world.
Cynics would no doubt see the absence of any concept of having offended against God in
these 'mistake' idiom statements, of which there have been a number over recent weeks, as something of a poker tell and would want to follow the money. But regular readers of this blog know that I am the last person to be cynical about such things.....
