Exodus International: Where Do We Go From Here?‏

Hello Friends!

The recent Exodus International ex-gay scandal is receiving mixed reactions from various Christian evangelical leaders. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, current Exodus International President Alan Chambers announced the closing of Exodus International…

 

Exodus International: Where Do We Go From Here?

The closing down of Exodus International was apparently expected by many Evangelical Christian leaders. Early last year in 2012, Alan Chambers announced at a gathering of the Gay Christian Network:

“We’re Christians, all of us.”

Even before then, Exodus International was seeing a mass exodus of Christian ministries due to the leadership’s changing stance on ex-gay “reparative therapy.” Many leaders within Exodus International also began leaving once they realized the direction the organization was heading…

Robert Gagnon, an associate professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, called for Alan Chambers’ resignation from Exodus International at the time:

“Alan [Chamber]’s approach of providing assurances of salvation to those actively engaged in sexually immoral intercourse is a very different approach than Jesus’ and Paul’s warnings that immoral sexual behavior, among other offenses, can get one excluded from the kingdom of God and thrown into hell.” Gagnon believed that the actions of Exodus International would “leave such persons deceived by giving them a message of ‘peace and security’ when instead danger hangs over them.”

A day after the Exodus International closing, the ex-gay scandal has many Christian evangelical leaders respond. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says the closing of Exodus International is:

“something like a surrender to the cultural currents of the day.”

While he agrees with Alan Chambers on some points, Mohler says those in the LGBT community:

“will be further confused by the capitulation of Exodus International.”

Andrew Comiskey, board member for the Restored Hope Network, tweeted:

”How merciful of God to shut down Exodus, which under Alan Chambers leadership had completely veered off the course of its mission.”

Andrew Marin, president and founder of The Marin Foundation, actually celebrated Exodus International’s closing, saying:

“Over the past thirty-plus years Exodus had successfully permeated the Christian cultural consciousness that sexual orientation could be changed. This message has caused immeasurable harm to well intentioned LGBT Christians, as well as their parents, families and friends–all working under the illusion that with enough prayer, submission to the Lord’s will, reparative therapy or continual attendance to Exodus’ programs that same-sex attractions can be ‘fixed.’ … I could not have been more happy to see … Alan’s apology, and then bold and courageous decision to announce last night that Exodus International will shut down.”

Some of the responses were more contemplative. Mark Yarhouse, director of Regent University’s Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity, asks whether:

“there room in a diverse and pluralistic culture for a Christian ministry to retain its beliefs and values about sexuality and marriage while moving away from the expectation of change?” 

Russell D. Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, says:

“We shouldn’t be offering cures or quick fixes, but Gospel.” 

Christopher Yuan, author of Out of A Far Country, apparently agrees with this stance since he claims Exodus International suffered from:

“a lack of emphasis upon biblical singleness, resulting in an over emphasis upon heterosexual marriage.”

The Holy Scriptures are very clear - Homosexuality is a sin:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

However, let the true Christian not forget lest he become foolishly haughty and proud:

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God – 1 Corinthians 6:11

The Apostle John confronted the early Gnostic movement that was determined to mingle the pagan immorality of the ancient world with the teachings of Jesus Christ -- not unlike the current trend among professing "Christian" pastors and churches who are teaching "Gay Christianity."

 

Is it possible to live a life in open rebellion to the commandments of God and still be justified? What does John tell us in his New Testament epistle about those who live their lives that way? Should we embrace them as fellow believers? Or should we warn them that the Christ they follow is, in reality, an anti-Christ? 

 

With the message of love and tolerance being used today as the means for embracing immoral practices, what does it mean to respond to our “Politically Correct” culture with the love of God? The Lord Jesus Christ will forgive the truly repentant sinner:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:19

What do you think about Exodus International closing their doors and the ex-gay scandal?

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!


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