A Mending Shift

a bird sings, not because if has an answer to give, but because it has a song to sing … this is my song

Does God really care where “it” goes?

Warning, this post asks a few tough unspoken questions in straight-forward, honest ways. (And it mentions the word penis).

A lot has been said surrounding God and the gay community (LGBT). But if we were honest, for most, doesn’t it boil down to one question:

“Does God really care where the penis goes?”

(Told you it was straight-forward)

Does God? ‘Cause for the vast majority, this seems to be the main issue. Some say, “Hey, it’s ok if you have the feelings and you like guys, just don’t use the penis (’cause it will go in the wrong spot and that is what God cares about).” That you can have the feelings, just don’t act on them. So God could care less that you love and have feelings for the person just as long as you keep your gay penis tucked away. So they push for gay celibacy (at best) or life-long singleness (at worst).

Now obviously I am using a bit of hyperbole (or am I?). But am I alone in thinking that we have it all backwards here? That maybe—just maybe—God doesn’t give a damn (pun intended) about where a penis does or doesn’t go? And that God cares very deeply about love?

I think of it this way. God cares when a person is being abused, or raped, or treated as an object, whether a penis is used or not. And if it is used in this way (or any any other war that objectifies or harms a person), it is always wrong because it is done outside of Love. It devalues a person whom God has created and loves. When love is absent, God cares…very much so.

But when love is present? When two people deeply love each other, are committed to each other, consent to each other and share a physical expression of that love…does God care where the penis goes? Is God really more concerned about placement than Love? Is God calling down earthquakes and fires and tsunamis and hurricanes and wars because a penis went in the wrong hole? (Sorry to be so blunt, but I did warn you…and this applies to lesbians too, just using the penis example). I don’t think so.

And honestly, do you think so? Perhaps. Maybe not.

But let’s not dance around the real question that this issue unfortunately is boiling down to. Some say (without ever saying it) that God does care deeply where the penis goes. And Some say that God doesn’t care where the penis goes.

To me, I think God cares about Love.

I don’t think God is losing any sleep over all the lovingly “misplaced” penises.

Maybe we shouldn’t either and focus instead on love.

Just sayin’.

So let me ask you, does God really care where “it” goes? What do you think…

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This entry was posted by on Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at 10:56 am and is filed under Christianity, ethics, God, grace, Homosexuality, Jesus, justice, Kingdom of God, love, Questions, theology, transformation, truth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

About The Author

Jeromy Johnson
I live in Folsom, CA, with my wife, Jennifer, and three kids. I am surrounded by and cared for deeply by some great friends. Their love for me is truly a moonlit reflection of Papa's love, and for that, I am deeply blessed and grateful.

Comments

  • Will Byrd

    Terrific post, Jeromy!!  Of course I completely agree with what you say, actually on more than one level.  In the Fundiegelical world where I spent many and many years of my life .. there was so much worship of laws, rules, and outward appearance .. but love; the kind of love that really does transcend what we (apart from The Holy Spirit who IS Love) are able to express … was almost seen as something “worldly” Christians do .. the “social gospel” sort of thing.  Great job, Jeromy and I know many will appreciate it.

  • ReedBoyer

    “If it’s love, the Lord won’t mind.”  Or some such Gordon Merrick sentiment. 

  • Bob

    I really appreciate what you’ve written, Jeromy.  Very well done!  I’d push the language a little further for those who don’t subscribe to “god” so much:  does ultimate concern really include where you put it?  If ultimate concern hinges on where you put it, what an incredibly small universe we live in.   I’ve shared on FB.

  • http://www.jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    Thanks Bob for the added insight. Indeed, if it does, that universe could fit inside of a ball on a cat collar.

  • Charlie

    So as long as there’s love, you can euthanize someone? 

    Where do you draw the line? The so-called “social gospel” seeks to elevate the tenant of love in order to make way for more acceptance and inclusivity. See the problem with elevating the “love is all you need” mentality is that it tends to discount what God says. Yes, we are commanded to love, and everything we do should be an expression of that love, but we cannot forget the One from whom these things came. 

  • Tom

    “Love does no harm to its neighbor, therefore LOVE is the fulfillment of the law” Rom 13:10.  Thank you for helping to heal the harms caused by so much of the church. 

  • Kristen Fortune

    Terrific post, thanks for being such an awesome example of Christ’s love! His love is all-encompassing, and your lifestyle choice makes no difference to Him. He has created all of us, each unique and special in our own way. We are all precious gifts to Him, or at least that’s the way I was brought up. Rock on, dude! You’re awesome.

  • http://twitter.com/Scott_Bell_1768 Scott Bell

    A same-sex relationship is a mutually consenting affair. Euthanization is not.

    Did not Christ Himself say that “Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself” embodied *all* the Law and the Prophets? Seems to me that your beef about “love being taken too far” is with Him.

    Also, a tenant is one who leases a property. “Tenet” is the word you were looking for.

    Sincerely,The Logic and Grammar Nazi

  • Carbide76

    If you want a relationship with her…Drink from her well. Make her feel good and your connection will bring Sophia. Return the Relics to the Elephant and Atlantis rises.

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