Julie Rodgers, Celibacy, Sexual Identity, and The Church

Julie Rodgers, a well-respected member of the Chaplain’s office at Wheaton, has resigned from her position and announced her support for same-sex relationships. Rodgers announcement has come as a surprise within the Christian community, particularly because of her very public role in the ongoing conversation over topics such as sexual identity and celibacy. Julie Rodgers has been an outspoken proponent for gay Christians that believe their orientation is something to be embraced, but same-sex practice and relationships were, in fact, sinful. The position embraces if not mandates celibacy for those who are wooed by it.

Rodgers position has not sat well with conservative Christians for some time and it is likely that her current shift will not be an occasion for surprise but will nonetheless be embraced as a moment to point out what is missing in her understanding and shift in position. It is true that her new found, public acceptance of same-sex relationships is light on objective truth and heavy on personal experience and personal reflection. Rodgers makes no appeal to scripture (yet alludes to the fact that scripture on the issue is difficult for her). She elevates sexual companionship to a level that strains credibility and (in a reversal) makes celibacy sound like a prison sentence.

Her response and shift are further lacking because they fail to acknowledge that same-sex attracted individuals can and do experience beautiful heterosexual relationships and covenant marriages. I am living proof to a living word that this is possible and good! Before you object, I want to note that I do not believe heterosexuality is the answer to homosexuality, it is not. However, Identity in Christ is at odds with a gay identity and same-sex sexuality. Therefore, I stress Identity in Christ and resurrection life as a way forward. Within the way forward some will choose celibacy, perhaps many, some will choose heterosexual relationship and marriage. Both choices are viable, both are beautiful and neither are the point.

Our identity is not the sum of our sexual attractions, orientation or our choices within those realities. As believers, our Identity is chosen, beloved, son, daughter…Christ!

Yet, in the midst of Rodgers Post she pulls back the curtain on a messy environment that still exists within the church. We do not yet know how to love those among us who are us but struggle with different aspects of the fall. I know this part of the body all too well. As a man who has lived with same-sex attraction all his life, I know what it is like to keep quite so as to be accepted and respected as a strong and normal Christian. I know what it is like to be told that my ministry would be ruined if I told people that I lived with same-sex attraction, and I have seen the faces of excitement at my testimony of change move to confusion and distance as I admit that I still struggle.

I used to let these reactions and the environments in far too many of our churches define me and explain God to me. I allowed this definition and shame to rule until I awoke to the power of Christ as an identity. It appears that the pressure and the mistreatment have clouded Rodgers from seeing the beauty in the Orthodox position on sexuality and identity.

Instead of explaining away Rodger’s shift on relationships and sexuality can we please have an honest conversation about the need to equip the church and change the conversation and culture, that exists towards individuals living with same-sex attraction and sexual identity struggles? Can we at least recognize that far too many of our brothers and sisters do not find the intimacy and love of a biblical community drawing near but rather one that holds them at a distance? The distance between is filled with misunderstanding, misrepresentation, a lack of sacrificial love, and a need to see the image of God first and not the struggles of our brothers and sisters.

There is so much beauty in the church and as Rodgers notes most Christians she knows love gay people, yet hurt happens, even unintentionally. The problems that exist can be equipping problems, problems that can be solved by helping pastors, ministry leaders, and congregations become more aware as well educate them on the nature of the same-sex struggle for identity. Yet other problems are more systemic and cultural. These require us to be a part of the broader conversation to acknowledge our own hearts and help change the culture and conversation within the church.

The time is now! Unfortunately, shifts like Rodgers will most likely become more common. However, let us avoid labeling and blaming them as a way to avoid what is missing in our love, our compassion, our desire to walk and love people through the mess of life. We can be better, and we are better because our Christ showed us something better!

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