Reimagining Evangelicals and Gays

A Guide to the Consultation on Evangelicals and Gays
By the Evangelical Portal Team

The Evangelical Portal at Patheos is a centerpoint for innovative, informed and charitable conversations that will shape the future of evangelicalism. We are proud to host a Consultation on Reimagining the Relationship Between Evangelicals and Gays. In the weeks to come, members of the evangelical and gay communities will tell their stories and share their perspectives on the broken relationship and how it might be healed. We are asking writers, activists, pastors and professors to think creatively and constructively about what the relationship between evangelicals and gays ought to be, and what it will take to get there.

You are invited to return frequently in the days and weeks to come, as we will continue to publish original material and point to the best material we find elsewhere on the web. Our authors and contributors will span the political and theological spectrum. The intention is to step out of our own echo chambers, to seek mutual understanding, and to work toward reconciliation. Please join in the conversation with your own comments.

On the question of whether homosexual acts are against the will of God, both sides have sophisticated biblical and theological arguments. While such discussions are always welcome at the Evangelical Portal, we want to emphasize that this is only a small part of the problem that is considered presently. Indeed, although some of our contributors believe it is still important for Christians to state clearly and unambiguously where they stand on homosexual relationships and same-sex marriage, many of our contributors want to bracket those questions entirely in order to focus on how evangelicals and gays can grow in love and respect for one another.

This "Guide" document will be updated continually as new material is added, and you are invited to visit the Cross and Culture blog for updates as well. The Consultation can be divided into Articlesand Stories. 

Our first Articles are these:

• The Cross Examinations group (along with contributions drawn from Tony Jones and Brian McLaren) reflects on Rebuilding the Bridges Between Evangelicals and Gays.
• Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng, an ordained minister and blogger at the Huffington Post, proposes 9.5 Theses for a New Reformation in the relationship between evangelicals and GLBT people. 
• Young Christian activist Andrew Marin, founder of the Marin Foundation and author of a groundbreaking work on the evangelical relationship to the gay community, offers A New Medium of Engagement for evangelicals and gays. 
• In an interview with Read the Spirit, Andrew Marin explains in greater detail his call for A Moratorium on Condemnation against gays.
• Michael Patton, minister and teacher of theology, addresses the question, "Can Homosexuals be Christians?"

Our Stories will describe the varied experiences of individuals living in the tension between the evangelical and gay communities.  Some will describe leaving the homosexual lifestyle behind, and others will describe reconciling themselves to their faith and their orientation.  They are offered for your reflection. We begin with Three stories:

• Paul Fromberg describes his experience with reparative sex therapy, and embracing his homosexuality, in You Don't Have to be Gay.
• Minister, writer and Soulforce co-founder Mel White explains why he believes that Homosexuality is a Gift from God.
• Kristin Tembla, in "One Flesh," describes her experiences with same-sex attraction, and her determination to affirm her faith and its traditional stance on marriage.   
• A Christian professor explains that "I was Not Born Gay" and why he has chosen to live in celibacy rather than engage in same-sex intercourse.
• A gay student who is a progressive Christian activist says that gays should not be too quick to write off homosexuals, in "Embracing Homosexuality, Embracing Evangelicals."
• I Miss God,A gay Harvard graduate and former theology student tells the story of his loss of faith. 

For further resources from multiple religious perspectives, see our Public Square discussion on homosexuality and same sex marriage. 

For more articles like this, please visit Patheos' Evangelical Portal.