"Reverend" V. Gene Robinson - Mr. Slap In The Face

Why do I put "Reverend" at all for this guy?

It is a slap in the face.

Now let's talk about V. Gene Robinson, he who brought up in the first place something being "a slap in the face".

What did V. Gene Robinson liken to a slap in the face?
President-elect Obama asked an outspoken Christian pastor - Rick Warren, who has a clear view that homosexual marriage is against God's will - to lead prayers at his inauguration.

Now the president-elect has granted Robinson a place of honor in leading a prayer during the upcoming kickoff celebrations before Obama's inauguration.

I'm sure Robinson will not recant his position that having a Christian pastor leading the inaugural prayers is a slap in the face. I seriously doubt I will recant my position that Robinson being called "Reverend" is --- according to Christians --- a slap in the face to Christianity.

Some will read this column and take things out of context in order to denigrate my words, my commentary. Some may re-post this and add words which alter the meaning of what I state. However this should be taken as A WHOLE COLUMN and not pieces to be singled-out for minutia-laden bits.

Well, here is the big theological discussion.

Gene Robinson is a gay Episcopal priest.

Christian denominations will tell you the statement "gay priest" is oxymoronic.

Nearly-Christian denominations will claim their savior but will say anything to be inclusive until they feel attacked by their own Christianity.

The teachings of the Roman Catholic church (Christians who have a leader from Rome...the Pope) say homosexuality is an abomination - homosexual marriage will not take place in a Catholic church. Lutheran teachings also follow the words of the apostle Paul who pointed out in his letters about God's teachings on sexual immorality. Now make sure you realize that there is a clear split between Lutheran synods in the United States on the issue of homosexuality and marriage --- the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America largely ignores traditional Lutheran-Christian theology and has allowed in their statements room for individuals to believe that homosexual behavior is acceptable. Many other Christian-reformed or protestant denominations have evaluated statements about sexual immorality and homosexuality and state that the two are more than merely related. Some Christian denominations would go much further and say that homosexual activity is a human abomination and not just against God's word. There are varying degrees of theological interpretation. To break that down more, there is theology and there is logical. In man, we find logic (I know I LOVE logic) in allowing for inclusion and not being divisive. But what of theological divisiveness presented by the likes of "Reverend" V. Gene Robinson and those of true Christian teachers and believers?

Okay - so the problem is likely in the delineation by mankind of sexual immorality according to God's word - the Holy Bible.

What do you believe? Do you believe that the apostle Paul spoke for God? Paul's words are on the pages he wrote to the church-members in Rome, Corinth, etc. Those words are in the Holy Bible. If you believe in God and Christ Jesus as your savior, you likely believe that the Holy Bible is GOD'S WORDS as transcribed by the apostles and prophets. This includes old and new testament writings, so Paul's letters are to be taken literally by those who follow the teachings of God.

Let me be clear that I am not a theology student (...yet...) and therefore can be called into question over my writings. My words are not from God. But let me also be clear --- being a theology school graduate does not mean you are speaking for God, either. No, in fact, God's words in the Holy Bible do God's speaking.

Interpretations by man must be based upon what God states in the Bible and not man's feelings about man.

That last sentence should stand as "okay" unless I am wrong. Of course I maintain that I am not God. Alas, I do not think I am wrong with that statement.

Back to V. Gene Robinson. He has been added to the lineup - he may have received his invitation at the same time or even before Warren's invitation to lead the inaugural prayers - to show that the Obama administration is inclusive and not divisive.

Is there something else that needs to be said on this subject? Sure. Here's a quotation from a published article in the Chicago Tribune:

Robinson said in his interview with the Concord paper that he would not use the Bible in his address at Lincoln Memorial.

"While that is a holy and sacred text to me, it is not for many Americans," Robinson said. "I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation."

WITH THAT STATEMENT IN MIND, answer this question: To what degree is V. Gene Robinson a CHRISTIAN?

He said he will not use the Bible. So, if that is his desire, so be it.

V. Gene Robinson is stating clearly that his prayer is NOT A CHRISTIAN PRAYER.

THAT FACT is a SLAP IN THE FACE to God and Jesus Christ.

The fact is --- V. Gene Robinson is not being "Reverend".

I am being irreverent, and critical - but I am not a Reverend. I am just another human sinner. I will apologize to God for my irreverence to another human. That is called repentence.

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Here is yet another quotation from the published article in the ChicagoTribune:

In a statement late Monday, Warren complimented Obama's decision to invite Robinson. "President-elect Obama has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground," Warren said. "I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen."

I wonder if pastor Rick Warren finds calling V. Gene Robinson "Reverend" a "slap in the face"???

A Change

This blog will likely discuss things such as traveling through the region where I live - St. Louis MO USA. However, with the new year 2009 on hand, I've decided to use this LESS for travel and more for commentary. Today, it's more general --- and I hope you enjoy religious discussions, because that's where I'm going. A separate post is to follow (but, of course, it will actually be above this once it is posted).

Thanks for stopping past here and reading in the first place.