Speak With Clarity

The Bible teaches us how we are to speak, and the power of the Spirit will help us to control what we
speak. In Colossians 4, we see this verse:
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the position where we need to know how to give the answer that others need, the words that someone else needs to hear.  It's important that we develop personal standards based on the Scriptures that can help restrain us as we speak, as we seek to give accurate and Christ-affirming answers to the questions posed to us.  Clarity is an incredible characteristic that we each have the potential to develop, and we can express it with compassion.

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The Bible is full of references to speaking truth.  And, we have to make sure that what we are speaking lines up with the truth, found in the Word of God.  Zechariah 8 says:
16 These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace...

When a highly-respected and widely-read theologian makes statements that contradict Scripture, it matters.  And, we as believers in the body of Christ should rightly point out error that is publicly proclaimed.

Such was the case over the past few days regarding the popular author Eugene Peterson.  He is perhaps most famous for the Bible paraphrase, The Message.  He was the subject of an interview series by Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service.  If you've read very much of the interviewer's work, you know that, under the guise of "religion reporting," he promotes a softening of the Church regarding the LGBT agenda.  So, it's not surprising that he raised the matter, especially after he claims to have "heard" from unnamed sources that Petersen had made statements supportive of same-sex marriage.

Here's the explosive answer from Peterson in response to a question on if his view on homosexuality had changed and his "position on the morality of same-sex relationships:"

I wouldn’t have said this 20 years ago, but now I know a lot of people who are gay and lesbian and they seem to have as good a spiritual life as I do. I think that kind of debate about lesbians and gays might be over. People who disapprove of it, they’ll probably just go to another church. So we’re in a transition and I think it’s a transition for the best, for the good. I don’t think it’s something that you can parade, but it’s not a right or wrong thing as far as I’m concerned.

He also stated that, if he were still pastoring and asked to perform a same-sex wedding, that he would.

Well, the next day, Peterson issued a statement through a publicity agency.  More on that later.  But, RNS published a piece by Merritt doubling down on Peterson's statements.  The writer justified his line of questioning and said this:

It is possible Peterson felt he had been placed on the spot and offered an answer that doesn’t reflect his true conviction. But it is also important to note that in the week prior to the publication, there was no attempt to clarify or change his answer to these questions.

And, he offered this:

To all the LGBT Christians who read Peterson’s words and felt a sense of hope but today feel like deflated tires: I am sorry if today feels like yet another church-induced bruise. Regardless, you are sons and daughters of Almighty God and the object of God’s love. In fact, God is obsessed with you. There is nothing you can do today to make God love you less or more. Trust that these statements are true of you and that their truthfulness is not dependent upon the statements or beliefs of any leader.

RNS included very little of Peterson's retraction in that story, but Christianity Today did a nice job of covering it, as well as the entire series of events.  It offered several excerpts from the statement by Peterson, including these words:

Recently a reporter asked me whether my personal opinions about homosexuality and same-sex marriage have changed over the years. I presume I was asked this question because of my former career as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), which recently affirmed homosexuality and began allowing its clergy to perform same-sex weddings. Having retired from the pastorate more than 25 years ago, I acknowledged to the reporter that I “haven’t had a lot of experience with it.”

To clarify, I affirm a biblical view of marriage: one man to one woman. I affirm a biblical view of everything.

 And, there was this from Peterson about marrying a gay couple:

When put on the spot by this particular interviewer, I said yes in the moment. But on further reflection and prayer, I would like to retract that. That’s not something I would do out of respect to the congregation, the larger church body, and the historic biblical Christian view and teaching on marriage. That said, I would still love such a couple as their pastor. They’d be welcome at my table, along with everybody else.

The criticism to Peterson after the original article was swift and solid.  One point made by the CT article was that:

LifeWay Christian Stores had reached out to “confirm with Eugene Peterson or his representatives that his recent interview on same-sex marriage accurately reflects his views.” A spokesperson said that because of his retraction, they will continue to sell his books, which include dozens of versions of The Message as well as A Long Obedience in the Same Direction and The Pastor. The store stopped selling Jen Hatmaker’s books last year after she also affirmed same-sex marriage in an interview with Merritt.

He also caution pastors to not get "clouded by controversy and cluttered with loud voices.” Peterson added, "I regret the confusion and bombast that this interview has fostered," he said. "It has never been my intention to participate in the kind of lightless heat that such abstract, hypothetical comments and conversations generate."

So, at this moment, it appears that Eugene Peterson affirms Biblical marriage and will not perform a gay wedding, although it is unclear what his position on the practice of homosexuality, or even gay marriage, actually is.  But, Peterson's comments do offer some instructive principles for us.

One was brought to light by John Stonestreet of the Colson Center and Breakpoint, dealing with the importance of accountability and the need to stand for truth publicly.  He stated in a Facebook post:

News flash: the process of Church accountability worked just as it should. The outcry was justified. This was no private rumination; it was a public interview with the potential for great harm. And it was not ambiguous. His were words worthy of condemnation. Thank God for Christian leaders with the courage to call for repentance. Now the issue has been clarified. I've no way to speak of the sincerity of his recantation vs his original statement, but I do know clarity was brought to the issue itself, especially to a vulnerable church. Praise God.

Stonestreet referred to earlier instances in church history where there was confrontation and resolution. He called for a "church history lesson that starts with St. Paul's confrontation of St. Peter, and visits the church counsels, learns of Luther and lands with Bonhoeffer."

There are those who would want to portray church "leaders" who have "evolved" on the homosexuality issue, i.e. softened their stance on truth, as somehow being enlightened.  It is important that we exercise clarity in our position that is consistent with Scripture and compassion for those who struggle in the area of sinful sexuality.  As Merritt said, God loves the LGBT person greatly, but what he didn't say was that in Christ's love, He desires to set them free from that bondage.

I do believe that there is enormous pressure on the church today to compromise on the teachings of Scripture.  The matter of homosexuality has become a controversy because those who pursue the agenda of unconditional acceptance of sinful behavior are pushing it.  Again, we can be resolute to uphold moral purity that is taught in the Bible and to exercise compassion for all sinners - no matter what their sinful patterns - including, but not limited to, "sexual orientation" and sexual activities.

Finally, I think we can all be diligent to think before we speak and speak to people whom we trust.  In the statement from his literary agency following the RNS story, Peterson noted, regarding his affirmation that he would perform a gay wedding ceremony:

It was an awkward question for me because I don’t do many interviews at this stage in my life at 84, and I am no longer able to travel as I once did or accept speaking requests. With most interviews I’ve done, I generally ask for questions in advance and respond in writing. That’s where I am most comfortable. When put on the spot by this particular interviewer, I said yes in the moment.

Peterson apparently violated a personal policy, or several policies, and he paid the price.  Perhaps we can be challenged to make sure that we follow personal standards, including what we say to certain people.  We have to be so careful to build and maintain trust with people.  We can be challenged to be thoughtful people who use our words carefully and wisely.