You should be spreading the joys of Christian living rather than taking excerpts from the Bible

Note:

I find it interesting that I received both a letter in the mail and an email from two different people, both asserting that quoting from the Bible is somehow a bad thing, as well as accusing me of being hateful. The postal letter was from the head of a homosexual activist organization, so I assume that this person is sending a letter as part of a campaign to denounce those who point out that homosexuality is a sin. I suspect it is the result of my publishing a fairly solid list of passages showing that homosexuality is not supported in the Bible.

Answer:

Let's take your own standard and apply it to your own letter. Your letter is hateful and judgmental, but you say it is wrong to write such things. You do manage not to quote from the Bible, but that means you have only expressed an opinion without foundation. You have not proved that my writings are hateful or judgmental because an assertion is not evidence. You don't back up your points with anything more authoritative than your own thoughts. Why would someone accept your opinions as being better than their own? Opinions are merely a person's thought and usually don't carry weight.

I always find it odd that a person who apparently isn't a Christian takes it upon himself to tell a Christian preacher how to do his job. You want love taught but don't realize how love is taught. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (I John 5:1-3).

In condemning me for quoting the Bible extensively, you end up condemning Jesus who quoted the Old Testament often. For example,

"Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'" (Matthew 15:7-9).

You also condemn the apostles who quoted both the Old Testament and the Lord in their teachings (cf. Acts 20:35; I Corinthians 9:8-9).

My suspicion is that you are upset to see that your favored belief is not supported by the Scriptures. Having it well-documented means you can't continue pretending that you have God on your side. But instead of humbly accepting the fact that you need to change, you attack the messenger of the message. "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16).

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).