tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061209787990652854.post1249076338059416130..comments2023-08-17T16:38:41.132+01:00Comments on The Old Forge: Same sex partnershipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01955091408231675838noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061209787990652854.post-37326761616516705892015-07-17T18:19:25.479+01:002015-07-17T18:19:25.479+01:00Nigel, I can't help but feel a bit saddened b...Nigel, I can't help but feel a bit saddened by this post. There would seem to be an implication that those who would want to affirm same sex relationships within the union do so with a disregard to scripture and that somehow there is an agreed way of interpreting scripture with the union. My experience shows that all who have explored this issue within the union have done so with a high regard to scripture. The way we interpret scripture might differ but those who have come to an affirming position have done so through a committed approach to the Biblical text. There will be within our associations those who have done considerable amount of study/research and come to the conclusion that Same Sex Relationships are not inline with their understanding of scripture, but there will also be those in our associations who have done considerable amount of study/research and come to the conclusion that Same Sex Relationships can be inline with their understanding of scripture. What worries me more is those who have made up their mind without doing the study/research (to be clear, I am not accusing you of that). It would feel very un-baptistic and unhelpfully dividing to say "this is the way you should interpret scripture as a Baptist or as a Christian". I love that being a Baptist allows us to interpret scripture as communities and respect the fact that we won't always agree on everything. Q: How can WEBA respond to the challenge of supporting/empowering those who want to stand by those in same sex relationships as well as affirming the convictions of those who have the more "traditional view"... although I would want to question the term "traditional" in regard to scriptural understanding. What is a traditional understanding and in whose context?Ian Spencenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061209787990652854.post-39567506095733151252015-04-28T13:28:00.772+01:002015-04-28T13:28:00.772+01:00Nigel, hhe BU have made changes to disciplinary gu...Nigel, hhe BU have made changes to disciplinary guidelines. The line you mention is no longer there in the March 2014 version on the BU website. And the statement last year said: <br /><br />Upholding the liberty of a local church to determine its own mind on this matter, in accordance with our Declaration of Principle, we also recognise the freedom of a minister to respond to the wishes of their church, where their conscience permits, without breach of disciplinary guidelines.<br /><br />That is a change to what was previous.Andy Goodliffhttp://andygoodliff.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.com