Gagnon: ‘Our souls are in torment’
By Parker T. Williamson, The Layman Online, July 21, 2006
TULSA — Robert Gagnon, professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a commissioner to the 217th General Assembly, charged that in approving a new “authoritative interpretation” of its ordination standards, the assembly committed the equivalent of a “prefrontal lobotomy,” discarded the clear witness of Scripture, and violated the church’s trust.
The target of Gagnon’s scorn was the General Assembly’s decision that governing bodies may permit the ordination of persons who practice sexual behavior outside of marriage by declaring standards of fidelity and chastity “nonessential.” That action is irrational on its face, observed Gagnon. The very word, “standard” implies “a mandate, a requirement, an obligation, a restriction,” he said. The incredulity of linking opposite meanings in a single sentence (“non-essential standards”) exceeds the limits of language and requires a “prefrontal lobotomy” for those who try to make sense of it.
Gagnon cited the plain language of G-6.0106b in the denomination’s constitution and the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission’s Londonderry decision as evidence that “standard” means “mandatory” and that the constitution’s “shall” language means “must, not may.” “How could G-6.0106b not be essential?” he asked.
Accenting incredulity
With tongue in cheek, Gagnon listed several claims made by apologists for the recent General Assembly action. “Some say this is ‘a new way of doing church,'” he reported. “With this point, I agree. Ignoring the plain meaning of Scripture and the constitution and accommodating serial, unrepentant, sexual immorality among our leaders certainly is a new way of doing church!”
Another frequently stated defense declares “The standards are still binding.” To that one, Gagnon replied, “As Alice in Wonderland discovered, words have meaning. Binding standards mean mandatory requirements. ‘Non-essential standards’ are nothing less than the mad hatter’s interpretation of the constitution.”
Another claim that has been proffered by denominational apologists says, “Nothing has changed.” “Nothing,” Gagnon quipped, “except that our ordination standards are now optional.” Gagnon then quoted the revisionists’ plea, “Trust us,” followed by a pregnant pause. Then he replied, “While breaching trust by bypassing the amendment process and twisting language in the constitution and Scripture to mean what no reasonable person reading that language could possibly assume that it means, they say ‘trust us.’ This gives a whole new meaning to the word trust.”
The two-sex prerequisite
To those who might ask how important the two-sex prerequisite for marriage is, Gagnon gave an unequivocal response: “It is absolutely foundational.” Declaring that Scripture places same-sex behavior in a class all by itself, he said “Scripture treats the two-sex prerequisite as a foundational matter that takes precedence even over fidelity, monogamy and non-incestuous bonds.”
Accenting the gravity of homoerotic behavior, Gagnon said that a careful study of Scripture requires one to conclude that, “homosexual practice is a more serious violation of Scripture’s sexual norms than even incest, adultery, plural marriage,and divorce.” Same-sex intercourse is not merely a bad choice, he said. It is the kind of choice that imperils one’s presence in the kingdom of God.
Then came the documentation, as the New Testament scholar carried his audience through a series of Biblical passages, flashed on overhead screens with key Greek words highlighted and underscored. In I Thessalonians 4:2-8, he showed that “sexual immorality (porneia)” and “sexual uncleanness (akatharsia),” including specific references to homosexual intercourse are not merely violations of human mores, but a rejection of “the God who gives his Holy Spirit to us.”
Referring to Galatians 5:19-21, Gagnon highlighted Paul’s stern warning that persons who engage in such sexual practices “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Recalling General Assembly task force members’ claim that Scripture is “complex” and “unclear” on the subject of sexual activity, Gagnon quoted Scripture itself, “Stop deceiving yourselves; God is not to be mocked, for whatever one sows that one will also reap. For the one who casts seed into one’s flesh will reap a harvest of destruction and decay from the flesh …”
Citations from Scripture
Gagnon expressed specific disdain for comments made by task force member Mark Achtemeier, during a post General Assembly damage control meeting hosted by the denomination’s moderators. During that meeting, Achtemeier cited I Corinthians to justify his vilification of renewal groups working within the denomination. Gagnon said Achtemeier’s references to Paul’s Corinthian letters disregard their clear and unambiguous message that behavior countenanced by the task force is morally wrong and spiritually lethal.
Among the passages referenced by Gagnon were I Corinthians 5:1-13; I Corinthians 6:9-11; II Corinthians 12:21; Romans 1:24-27; Romans 6:19-22; Colossians 3:5-10; Ephesians 4:17-24; Ephesians 5:3-12; and I Timothy 1:9-11. The preponderance of evidence from these Scriptural sources, said the New Testament professor, is that homoerotic behavior is not only immoral, but a fundamental violation of the created order, and therefore a soul-destroying rejection of the Creator God.
‘What must we do?’
“Would you stay in a denomination” that countenances such behavior? Gagnon asked, allowing his question to hang unanswered over his audience. He expressed his disappointment in a statement recently made by Thomas Gillespie, former president of Princeton Theological Seminary, that he would not leave the denomination because of its departure from Biblical standards for sexual behavior. For Gillespie, a departure could only be justified if the denomination explicitly “denies that Jesus is Lord.”
Gagnon pointed out that Jesus himself equated the acceptance of his lordship with obedience to his commandments and abstaining from sexual immorality. “Read Jesus’ words in Matthew’s gospel,” said Gagnon, recalling the warning that not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven.
“So what must we do?” he asked. Calling for a unified strategy among those who believe they must separate themselves from an increasingly institutionalized evil, he said “whatever we do must be done together. We need one another.”
Gagnon counseled his audience to allow time for the courts to act. “Wait on the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission,” he said. Expressing little confidence that the denomination’s highest court would overturn the ordination of a practicing homosexual, Gagnon said that it should be given the opportunity to do the right thing, no matter how unlikely the possibility that it will do so.
In the meantime, he said, in light of the probability that the denomination will not reverse its present course, Presbyterians who are committed to God’s Word should make preparations for separation. “During this time of flux, our souls are in torment,” he said, “but there are things that we can do while we wait for the Permanent Judicial Commission to act.” Specifically, Gagnon suggested “taking preliminary steps by networking, redirecting funds and securing property.”
From the audience, someone shouted a question: “How long will we have to wait for that court decision?” He replied, “Within a year or two at most.”
“We must all speak and be bold in what we say,” concluded Gagnon, whose forthright testimony has distanced him from many Presbyterian seminary colleagues. “Don’t fear human beings who can only kill you. You must fear God, who can send your soul to hell.”
Gagnon’s speech was followed by a standing ovation.