Christians and Non-Believers: A Call for Partnership in 2024

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In a time of societal division, Pastor Bill Brannan addresses a provocative question: Can Christians partner with non-believers, including those from the LGBTQ+ community? This blog explores the necessity of such partnerships for the sake of humanity, faith, and the future of society.

Can Christians Partner with Homosexuals

The question of whether Christians can partner with homosexuals challenges traditional beliefs. Many Christians view this partnership as incompatible with their faith. However, if we take a step back, we realize that the essence of humanity transcends sexual orientation.

When Christians engage with individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, it can lead to meaningful dialogues about faith, love, and acceptance. These conversations can bridge divides and foster understanding. Ultimately, the goal is to recognize shared humanity, which is crucial in the current cultural climate.

Barry Weiss’s Speech

Barry Weiss’s speech at the Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity in the face of ideological battles. Weiss, a self-identified liberal and member of the LGBTQ+ community, articulated how partnerships across ideological lines can be beneficial.

She emphasized that the current civilizational war is not just about politics but also about the fundamental values that bind society together. Weiss called for a coalition of individuals who recognize the goodness of America and the inherent equality of all people. This perspective is vital for Christians looking to engage with those outside their faith.

Joseph and Pharaoh

The story of Joseph and Pharaoh illustrates the potential of partnerships between believers and non-believers. Joseph, sold into slavery, rose to power in Egypt. His ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams not only saved Egypt from famine but also preserved the family of Jacob.

This narrative shows how God can use unlikely partnerships to achieve His purposes. Joseph’s faith allowed him to work alongside Pharaoh, leading to a significant impact on both their lives and the nation of Egypt. Such collaborations can serve as examples for modern Christians.

Daniel and Cyrus

Daniel’s partnership with King Cyrus exemplifies another biblical instance of cooperation between believers and non-believers. Daniel, a captive in Babylon, gained favor with Cyrus, allowing him to influence the king’s decision to rebuild Jerusalem.

This partnership demonstrates that faith can flourish even in foreign lands. Daniel’s wisdom and faithfulness provided a pathway for restoration, showing that collaboration can lead to profound societal changes.

Esther and Ahasuerus

Esther’s relationship with King Ahasuerus is a striking example of how a believer can influence a non-believer for a greater cause. By risking her life to approach the king, Esther was able to advocate for her people, ultimately saving them from destruction.

This story highlights the importance of courage and strategic partnerships. Esther’s faith and willingness to step into the king’s court for justice can inspire Christians today to take similar risks for the sake of humanity.

The Image of God

Understanding the concept of the Image of God is central to recognizing the inherent worth of every individual. Each person, regardless of their background or beliefs, reflects God’s image in some way.

This perspective compels Christians to approach others with dignity and respect. When we acknowledge that all humans are created in God’s image, it challenges us to reconsider how we interact with those who differ from us.

Challenges of Faith in God

One significant challenge Christians face is maintaining faith in God amid societal pressures. Many feel overwhelmed by the cultural shifts and the perceived moral decline in society.

However, it is crucial to remember that faith is not merely a personal journey; it is also a communal one. Christians are called to support one another and stand firm in their beliefs while engaging with the broader world.

The Birth of Western Civilization

The birth of Western civilization can be traced back to the Apostle Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. His journey to Europe marked the beginning of a new era, one that emphasized the worth and dignity of all individuals.

Paul’s outreach to diverse communities reflects a model of partnership that Christians can emulate today. By embracing collaboration and dialogue, Christians can contribute positively to the ongoing evolution of society.

The Challenge of Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a vital challenge for Christians today. It involves restoring humanity to humanity, recognizing that everyone has been affected by sin and brokenness.

Jesus’ example on the cross teaches us about the power of forgiveness and the need to extend grace to others. By embodying reconciliation, Christians can foster healing and unity in a divided world.

Next Week

Next week, we will explore the Exodus narrative, which offers profound insights into liberation and the fight against oppression. This story resonates with the challenges we face today and provides a framework for understanding our role in the world.

As we delve into this topic, let us reflect on our responsibilities as individuals and as a community. The journey toward reconciliation and partnership is ongoing, and together, we can make a significant impact.

The Exodus

The Exodus is a powerful narrative of liberation, not just for the Israelites but for humanity as a whole. It symbolizes breaking free from oppression and darkness, a theme that resonates across cultures and time. The story reveals God’s desire for freedom and justice, underscoring that His grace extends even to those who oppose Him.

The Heart of God

At the core of the Exodus story is the heart of God, which longs for reconciliation rather than destruction. According to rabbinical teachings, God does not take joy in the downfall of the wicked; instead, He mourns their loss. This perspective challenges us to reconsider how we view those we perceive as enemies, urging us to seek their restoration rather than their demise.

Hope for Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a central theme that emerges from the Exodus narrative. It presents the possibility of healing broken relationships and restoring humanity. If God can seek reconciliation with those who have wronged Him, then we too can strive for unity in our fractured world.

• Recognize shared humanity.
• Engage in open dialogue.
• Extend grace and forgiveness.

Jacob’s Pain Led to Judah’s Transformation

The pain experienced by Jacob profoundly influenced the transformation of Judah, showcasing how suffering can lead to growth and reconciliation. Jacob’s sorrow over losing Joseph shaped Judah’s character, prompting him to take responsibility for Benjamin’s safety. This pivotal moment highlights that personal pain can catalyze collective healing.

The Exodus That Could Have Been

Reflecting on the Exodus that could have been raises poignant questions about missed opportunities for repentance and redemption. If Pharaoh had responded to God’s call, the narrative might have unfolded differently. This potential serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding divine prompts and the consequences of ignoring them.

Our Moment Is Now

We stand at a crossroads in our society, where the need for reconciliation and partnership is more pressing than ever. This moment calls for action, challenging us to engage with one another across divides. Silence and inaction are choices that can lead to further fragmentation; instead, we must embrace dialogue and collaboration.

Can Christians Partner with Homosexuals

Exploring the possibility of partnership between Christians and homosexuals invites us to reevaluate our perspectives. The call for partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to love and acceptance. As we seek to embody Christ’s message of reconciliation, we must be willing to extend our hands to those who are different from us.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

This passage encapsulates the essence of reconciliation. Paul reminds us that in Christ, we are new creations, and our past identities do not define us. Our mission is to be ambassadors of reconciliation, urging others to find peace with God and each other. This call transcends boundaries, inviting all into the transformative love of Christ.

The Two Challenges the Church Faces Today

Today, the church faces two significant challenges: maintaining faith in God amidst societal upheaval and fostering reconciliation in a divided world. These challenges require a renewed commitment to prayer, community, and active engagement with those around us. By leaning into these challenges, we can embody the hope and love of Christ in a world desperately in need of it.

• Strengthen our faith through community.
• Embrace reconciliation as a core mission.

Can Christians Partner with Homosexuals?

(Preaching Outline)

1)      The question asked in the title of today’s message is a very important question to address as followers of Jesus Christ.

a)      I wrote it in a way that is intentionally to encourage thought.

b)      For some Christians, the answer is emphatically “no” regardless of what is meant.

c)      I would like to suggest that nations can be saved through such partnerships.

d)      In addition, I believe such partnership provide context for people to meet Jesus.

2)      To explore this question more, I want to reference a talk Bari Weiss gave to the Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention.

a)      Bari Weiss spoke about the civilizational war we are in.  She said it is a war of ideas, conviction and will.  The difference between 9-11 and 10-7 was the reaction to the horror.  9-11 was followed by a will to fight for civilization while 10-8 was followed by a moral and spiritual catastrophe in the West celebrating the massacre.  She said that modern ideologies are tearing down the essence of our common humanity. Educated people responded to an act of barbarism not with a defense of civilization but with a defense of barbarism. We are fighting an ideology that seeks to deconstruct our society from within. It replaces basic ideas of good and evil. In the past 2 decades this inverted, morally perverse worldview has swallowed all of the sense making institutions of American life. – She said that her allies are those who believe America is good, the West is good, and that human beings are created equal and saying so is essential to know what we are fighting for. America and our values are worth fighting for.

b)      In her lecture she highlighted some of the atrocities committed and how the response in the west is that the victims were colonizers and therefore what was done to them is right.

c)      Bari looking honestly at where culture is at, and where it is headed.  This is something we must not be afraid to look at, talk about and address in the church.

d)      In my opinion Bari got to the root of the problem when she spoke about our common humanity – the battle is over the image of God in man – we must fight for a humane world that sees the inherent dignity and worth of every human being.

e)      In response to the question of partnering with homosexuals, it would be a privilege to fight alongside people like Bari.  I challenge that nations can be saved when Christians and non-Christians work together.  We this principle in scripture:

i)        Joseph and Pharoah

ii)      Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar & Cyrus

iii)    Esther and Ahasuerus

f)       People are people first, and who is without sin?

g)      We are all in the same boat, and people are shooting at each other.

h)      Natural disaster vs. ideas

i)        In honestly facing the great threat to humanity from the current ideas and values pose, there are theological challenges we have to face as believers in Jesus Christ that determine if we are able to be part of the solution. (Some of many.)

i)        One challenge is a challenge of faith in God.

ii)      Another challenge is the challenge of reconciliation – restoring humanity to humanity.

3)      The challenge of faith in God

a)      Esther 4:13–14 (NKJV) — 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

b)      Acts 26:14–18 (NKJV) — 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

4)      The challenge of reconciliation – to restore humanity to humanity.

a)      Luke 23:32–34 (NKJV) — 32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

b)      Sin causes pain and perverts the soul.

c)      The Exodus – which we may look at next week – is a very relevant model for where we are at.

i)        A people suffering and enslaved by paganism – will to power rather than the morality of love.

ii)      Rabbi Fohram talks about the Exodus that might have been and one day will be.  He wrestles with clues into the text that give us insight into the heart of God.

iii)    Here is some of his views on God’s heart after the destruction of Pharoah and his armies:  Here’s what the Sages say: The Holy One, Blessed is He, does not rejoice in the downfall of the wicked. For R. Shmuel bar Nachman said in the name of R. Yonatan: In the moment [when Egypt was destroyed at the Sea], the ministering angels wished to sing in joy in the presence of the Holy One. But the Holy One said to them: My own creations [the Egyptians] are drowning in the Sea, and you want to sing before Me? (Megillah 10b) It turns out that the Sages ascribe the same intuition to the Almighty himself: a victor doesn’t rejoice at the downfall of his enemies, particularly if the victor is God. God is the creator; even His enemies are His creations. There is something bitter in the taste of victory over them.[1]

iv)    One of his proofs for the Exodus that might have been and one day will be are the textual connection with the story of Joseph.  Without going in depth today, I want to read some passages that connect with the heart for reconciliation:

v)      As the Sages of the Talmud tell it, during Jacob’s burial procession, all the kings of Canaan and the Princes of Ishmael assembled to attack the Israelites, who had gathered at this spot to eulogize Jacob. But then, the would-be attackers saw something that made them halt in their tracks: Joseph’s crown was hanging on Jacob’s casket, and when they saw this—all [these kings and princes] stood up, [put down their weapons] and hung their own crowns on it, and surrounded his casket with crowns, like a threshing floor surrounded by a fence of thorns (Sotah 13a, in Rashi to Genesis 50:10) What do the Sages mean to say with their cryptic story? Why were these kings attacking? And why did the sight of Joseph’s crown make all these kings halt their attack—and join their crowns to his?[2]

vi)    Only Joseph holds the moral force to take the venom out of an attack of dispossessed children. And remember: not only does he fend off these kings, he wins them over; they join their crowns to his. One wonders if the Talmud is painting a picture not only of the past, but of a possible future, gilded with hope for reconciliation within the extended family of Israel. If, after all the pain, anger and misunderstanding in his past, Joseph can solemnly give Jacob honor—if, after everything, he can wed his destiny to that of his family—then perhaps other fragments of dispossessed families can find in Joseph an example to emulate. If Joseph can make it back, perhaps there is hope for them, too.[3]

vii)   It was Joseph’s partnership with Pharoah and reconciliation with his family that made such an expression of the heart of God possible.

5)      Can Christians partner with homosexuals?

a)      The question is answered when our hearts burn to be ministers of reconciliation.

b)      2 Corinthians 5:16–21 (NKJV) — 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.