Living in the Tension 8/4 – Discussion: Biblical Interpretation & Same-sex Relationships

August 1, 2014 By Andrew Marin

For the past month The Marin Foundation has been addressing these questions through our three-part series on biblical interpretation and same-sex relationships. For the first two parts, Matthew Vines presented the progressive view of scripture as it relates to same-sex relationships and Julie Rodgers presented the traditional view. On Monday, August 4th we will come together to discuss the speakers and information shared in the previous two gatherings and consider ways in which we can move past our differences, live in constructive tension and elevate this conversation. For more information see theFacebook event page. Read more

4 Things I’ve Learned from Matthew Vines and Julie Rodgers

July 28, 2014 By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Jason Bilbrey, our Director of Pastoral Care here at The Marin Foundation. You can read more from Jason at his blog, www.jasonbilbrey.com or follow him on Twitter at @JasonBilbrey. Does the Bible support or prohibit same-sex relationships? This question behind a three-part series, “The Bible and Homosexuality,” that we’ve put on as part of our biweekly Living in the Tension gatherings this summer. We started three weeks ago with a presentation from Matthew Vines, author of God and... Read more

Being a Listener

July 25, 2014 By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Ian Brown, student at Moody Bible Institute, and a summer intern with The Marin Foundation. Becoming a listener is a lot harder than it sounds for someone like me. I tried just shutting up for a while and that helped, but it certainly didn’t fix much. I needed a plan; a set of guidelines to go by when I was talking to people. So I came up with these four tangible practices: Read more

Trusting in God when Others Doubt You

July 23, 2014 By Andrew Marin

Today’s post is from Phil Ross, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University, and a summer intern with The Marin Foundation: As I wrote about in my last blog post, high school was not the easiest experience for me. I was bullied for the perception that I was gay. I was ostracized by communities that claimed love was their primary goal. During this time, I was often categorized as either a weak and flimsy straight man or an effeminate gay man.... Read more

Mixed-Orientation Marriages

July 21, 2014 By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Jason Bilbrey, our Director of Pastoral Care here at The Marin Foundation. You can read more from Jason at his blog, www.jasonbilbrey.com or follow him on Twitter at @JasonBilbrey. When my wife came out to me as bisexual two-and-a-half years ago, I was immediately overcome with a sinking feeling that this information was a game-changer. Just like that, everything I thought I knew about her, about our marriage, about what it meant to be LGBTQ, was suddenly... Read more

Living in the Tension 7/21 – Julie Rodgers

July 18, 2014 By Andrew Marin

July 21st Part 2 – Presentation by Julie Rodgers: Julie Rodgers writes and speaks about faith and sexuality as a celibate gay Christian. Julie will give an overview of the traditional interpretation of scripture as it relates to same-sex relationships. Read more on her blog: julierodgers.wordpress.com   Read more

Why I Chose Grace as a Gay Christian

July 11, 2014 By Andrew Marin

To all those Christians who identify as LGBTQ, thank you for not giving up. Thank you for living out all facets of your identity despite the backlash you may get from polarized communities. Thank you for giving grace to those who don’t know what they do. Read more

Going to the Chapel…But You Won’t Be There

July 9, 2014 By Andrew Marin

We don’t typically publish anonymous posts, but the writer for today’s post has requested anonymity, and we understand, and have made an exception to our normal policy. The following post is by a friend of The Marin Foundation who identifies as a gay Christian: I’m having a conversation with my two-year-old nephew at the dinner table: “If you come to my wedding, you can be the ring bearer. Would you like that?” I get a smile and a garbled... Read more

Phil’s story

July 7, 2014 By Andrew Marin

Today's post is from Phil Ross, student at Indiana Wesleyan University, and a summer intern with The Marin Foundation: It was a little over seven years ago when I first got a slur thrown at me I never expected. “You’re a f*ggot” was poignantly spoken to me and even now I remember the smug face of the boy in the gym locker room who stood in my face saying it. Smug, because he could see how totally it disarmed me and how livid it made me. Read more

Living in the Tension 7/7 – Matthew Vines

July 4, 2014 By Andrew Marin

What does the Bible really say about same-sex relationships? More than any current question the Christian church is facing, this one has the power to divide families, churches, and entire denominations. Do you know what you believe and why? Have you ever truly listened to both sides? Can you find common ground with those with whom you disagree? If these questions intrigue you, then please join The Marin Foundation for a three-part series examining the traditional and progressive interpretations of... Read more