This week in Bible Study we were studying the letters of John and Jude that focus on some of the problems within the church. The issues were dissension, division, and desertion. The workbook for Disciples IV notes: “These letters have one clear intent --- to maintain the community’s central belief in Jesus Christ and loyalty, harmony, and faithfulness within the fellowship.” The apparent concerns were focused on Gnosticism and Docetism, and the writer warned against false teachers and those who would practice licentiousness. What was a theological debate within the early church has sometimes been used today to issue a cry for “unity” within the Methodist Church and to quench the cry for social justice. Some claim that those who have a different sexual orientation than the majority are fomenting dissension within the church and should be excluded. The church’s governing body has cited sexual behavior as perhaps the defining issue in determining acceptance into the church either for membership or leadership. You should not be baptized if you’re gay or lesbian unless you’re celibate, and you shouldn’t openly acknowledge your orientation or your partner. “Don’t ask; don’t tell” goes Methodist.

I recently read Garret Keizer’s lengthy article in the June Harper’s “Turning Away from Jesus: Gay Rights and the War for the Episcopal Church.” (I cannot post the article but send me an email and I’ll send you the 13-page pdf file.) Although he goes into great detail about recent events, he basically concludes that the fight over gay rights is really a power struggle within the Anglican Communion and the gay issue is really more of a political power play than a theological issue. It’s the WASPs fighting the third world challengers for dominance. It seems less of a liberal versus conservation schism than a contextual view of the Bible versus a literal one. I’m not even sure that differing interpretations of what the Bible says (or doesn’t say) on this issue are at the heart of the matter. Serious theologians stopped debating the issue years ago.

I just finished watching the lengthy funeral service of Senator Jesse Helms and listening to the many accolades and the eulogy. As in recent days, the commentaries recounted that he was a gentle and courteous man in person, a conscientious provider of constituent services, a strong family man, and a man of principle who was courageous in standing for his principles and beliefs.

In spite of my personal beliefs that clash with his, I accept those accolades without question. What I do question is, that in the words of the associate pastor at Hayes Barton Baptist “what is the measure of a man,” whether these good and honorable qualities balance against the wrongs that he did in the name of personal principle.

As a closeted gay man who served honorably in the military, I was interested in watching the recent hearing of the House Armed Services Personnel Sub-Committee on the subject of “Don’t ask; Don’t Tell.” There were three witnesses for repeal of the law and only two witnesses in support (they couldn’t find a third?) Each witness was allowed five minutes of testimony (except one in favor of who was given 10 minutes to balance the time allotted for both sides.) Each committee member then had five minutes to question the witnesses or to make a statement.