I read Richard Hong's letter and he certainly comes across as someone trying to do his best for the Lord and the church. But his letter reminded me of a question I have had for some time and I'll use this moment to ask it. Hong says that we should emulate the "process" of the PUP Task force. I suppose he means the process of forming deep relationships with people who believe that the straightforward reading of Scripture is not correct on matters of sexuality. Of course this is something we have heard over and over again. We are told with some frequency that if we just need to spend time listening and fellowshiping with people who believe homosexuality to be a blessing by God and practice it without guilt or repentance, we will be better Christians. If we just hear their stories and understand their gifts, we paleolithic orthodox types will see the light. The necessary thing is, as Hong puts it, to be "engaged" with people who believe that homosexuality should be legitimated in the society and the Church.

I'm always curious as to how people who believe such things read 1 Corinthians 5: 9-13 which says:

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons – not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you."

The Apostle clearly warns the church to be careful not to associate too closely with those who claim to be believers but actually practice things that the Bible calls immoral. Which is precisely what the Richard Hongs of the denomination want us to do. How do he and those who agree with him read this passage?

I assume they would gut the meaning of it by saying, "All of us are sinners, therefore, if we followed Paul's counsel none of us could speak to anyone in the church." But Paul is speaking of those who will not repent, those who feel that the sinful thing they are doing is right and will not stop. All of us may be sinners but not all of us refuse to repent. And most of us do not demand that the church legitimate our sin.

Paul clearly believes there is a danger to fellowshiping with those who toss the biblical commands aside. The danger is that their thinking will become our thinking and their views will become our views. Human beings are indeed changed through their relationships. Richard Hong himself is an example of exactly this phenomenon. He says he started out as a "conservative" but has changed as the years and now supports the ordination and marriage of gays.

The thought that any sort of fellowship is good seems to me to be hopelessly naïve and thoroughly unbiblical. Peole are changed by their relationships but not all change is progress.

Elliott Scott
Pastor, Heritage Presbyterian Church
Houston, Texas