For a while this morning, CNN.com had a front page link to this article by columnist LZ Granderson (who is a frequent contributor on ESPN.com) arguing that it’s a bias against gays – not Biblical convictions – that powers the arguments of those who are against homosexuality.  His evidence?  The fact that people are up in arms about homosexuality, but not about other issues raised in Leviticus, such as the mandate that adultery is punishable by death.  This ‘Christians pick and choose’ argument is picking up steam lately, usually making some variation on the point that gay rights advocates will start taking us seriously when we stop eating pork and shellfish. 

Granderson’s case is not without its point.  There are indeed some professing Christians who react vociferously against gay marriage while remaining totally ignorant of the Bible.  However, the great irony of Granderson’s article is that it falls victim to the very shortcoming it accuses his opponents of – biblical ignorance.  While Granderson treats his comprehensive look at the Levitical law as some sort of ’gotcha’ argument against conservative Christians, he neglects to consider basic theological concepts like the applicability of the various aspects of the Old Testament law or even numerous New Testament verses that address homosexual practice as sin.  Though his argument plays really well to a biblically-illiterate American populace, it’s every bit as ignorant as the people who so bother him. 

The whole issue should serve as a reminder to Christians that knowing God’s word and wielding it rightly matters.  Arguments like Granderson’s aren’t going anywhere, and our culture – and even the people within our churches – is buying them hook, line and sinker.  After reading Granderson’s article, how would you respond to him?  If you’re not sure, take that as a call to dig deeper into God’s word, where truth is waiting to be found – even if it rarely plays well as a political soundbite.

What do the two have in common?  Check out this excellent article by Doug Wilson to find out.

File this one under “yes, he really said that.”  The legendary British musician was interviewed this week by Parade Magazine, and had this to say about Jesus…

“I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving.”

Hopefully, he’s referring to Levon’s son, because if he’s referring to the Biblical Jesus I can’t imagine what he bases that assertion on.  In honor of the occasion, though, I’m going to put out there several historical beliefs that I’ve long held but was afraid to put forward due to lack of evidence.  However, with Sir Elton having set this precedent, I’m ready to follow in his footsteps.  Here you go…

Plato invented football.

Abraham Lincoln believed cats to be the reincarnated souls of 12th-century sailors.

Genghis Khan thought that maple syrup was waaaaay better on pancakes than whipped cream.

See, armchair history is a blast!  Who needs historical evidence?  Just make unfounded assertions that sound provocative and insightful and people will print them in national publications!  God bless America!

Seriously though, Elton – and I say this as a guy who has your two-disc Greatest Hits album and has sung along with “Rocketman” more times than I care to admit – keep on singin’ and leave the theology to someone else.

Never really thought about this aspect of it before…

“What will be the effect on soldier-to-soldier relations? What will be the effect on two sailors submerged in the same submarine for a couple of months? Now, when this question is usually asked, it is asked with the assumption that I am raising the quesiton of one soldier or sailor hitting on the other one. Right now, he is not supposed to do that, or be open about his orientation. But that is not where my question lies. I am asking if the serviceman who is evangelical will be permitted to witness to his fellow serviceman, who is now out of the closet. Will he be allowed to believe that homosexuality is a sin that God will judge at the last day? Sure. Don’t ask. Will he be allowed to call his fellow serviceman to repentance? Surely not. Don’t tell.”

- Douglas Wilson

Read the full post here.