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ARTICLES
This issue of Voice of the Turtle Online
contains a guest commentary from and letter to the editor of Baptists Today.
Baptists Today primarily serves the Cooperative Baptists Fellowship.
by Malcolm Tolbert
Guest commentary for the August 2005
issue of Baptists Today
I have come to the conclusion that I am
different from many heterosexual males.
I say this because they seem to take
credit for their sexual orientation.
Apparently they have concluded that
their choice of heterosexuality is a
very strong proof that they are good,
moral persons. I say that I am different
because my heterosexuality has nothing
to do with any choice I made.
Since I began having sexual urges, I
have only been attracted to females. I
have many male friends whom I love
dearly, but I have never had any erotic
feelings toward a one of them.
These state of the country could have
passed laws against heterosexuality, but
that would have not made any difference.
All the pulpits in America could have
thundered against heterosexuality, but
that would not have changed me.
People could have quoted any number of
biblical texts forbidding
heterosexuality, but that would have had
no influence on my sexual feelings. All
the power of society and state could
have been arrayed against my relation
with Nell through the years, but that
would have in no way diminished the
force of my heterosexual love for her.
The majority of people with whom I lived
could have been homosexual, but that
would have had no effect on the way I
felt.
Because I had no choice in the matter,
my being hetersexual has nothing to do
with whether I am a moral person. I am
fortunate enough to be by nature what
the majority of males are. This is much
more agreeable than being regarded as a
pariah because I differ from them.
That, however, is much like the
accident of being born white into a
society dominated by white people. Many
white people are arrogant about their
skin color, something over which they
had no control.
Whether or not I am a moral person
sexually can only be determined with
reference to the way I have used my
heterosexuality. If I had viewed females
as objects, fair prey to be used to
satisfy my lusts, or if I had been
unfaithful to Nell, I would be an
immoral person.
I can understand the impulses of most
people. What they have felt I also have
felt. I confess, however, that I do not
have any basis in my own experience to
understand how a homosexual feels.
I do know that for the preservation of
the race it is good that most people are
heterosexual. If 95 percent of humans
were homosexual, the human family would
not long endure.
I also know, however, that there are
many anomalies in nature. If I am to be
a good follower of Jesus, I must be open
to people—all kinds of people.
There was no despised group of his day
that Jesus shut out of his life. Too few
of the people in the world are on the
side of being for people. Most of us
tend to take antagonistic positions with
reference to people who differ from us
in some way.
If anybody fears that there won’t be
enough people against others if they
decide to get on the other side, she/he
doesn’t have to be anxious about that.
The majority of people, unfortunately,
are going to be against others, whether
it has to do with a question of race,
education, wealth, sexual orientation or
religious differences.
You can be sure that the side of
prejudice, hatred and arrogance is well
supported even if you desert the ranks
of the critics. Of course, such a
decision can open you up to
condemnation.
As Jesus found out, people who identify
with those whom society ostracizes have
to suffer the consequences.
Malcolm Tolbert lives in retirement
in Baton Rough, LA. He is a former
missionary to Brazil, pastor of First
Baptist Church of Gainesville, GA., and
New Testament professor at two Baptist
seminaries. His latest book, Shaping
the Church, was published by Smyth &
Helwys.
Letter to the Editor of Baptists Today
from Ken
Sehested
Editor,
Baptists Today,
I’m writing to express my gratitude to you for Malcom Tolbert’s guest commentary
in the August issue ("Can’t take credit for my sexual orientation"). Though he
doesn’t mention it, I’m guessing Dr. Tolbert has moved beyond treating
homosexuality as an issue by actually making some personal acquaintances,
probably even hearing the testimony of gay Christians. Two parallel stories—one
from Scripture, the other from literature—come to mind.
Acts 15 records the debate in the earliest church convention meeting where Peter
dared to stand against biblically-based popular opinion against admitting
uncircumcised Gentiles into the family of Jesus followers. He argued, "I know
what the Bible says. But I’m saying I’ve seen the work of the Holy Spirit in
these folk." (My summary paraphrase of vv. 6-11.)
Then there’s Mark Twain’s narrative of Huckleberry Finn. Wrestling with his
conscience over whether he should turn in his traveling companion Jim, the
runaway slave, Huck turns to prayer to consider not only his legal and cultural
obligation to the demands of a slave-holding society but also his spiritual
corruption. Deciding to acquiesce to these infallible demands, he "felt good and
all washed clean of sin for the first time in my life."
Then, in a brief pause in his repentant resolve, he began thinking about Jim—not
as an issue (slavery) but as one who had crossed the boundary into friendship.
Then Huck describes his crisis of faith over whether he should go ahead and
deliver the disclosure note of Jim’s whereabouts.
"It was a close place. I took it [the note] up, and held it in my hand. I was
a-trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I
knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to
myself:
"’All right, then, I'll go to hell’ — and tore it up."
Such trembling moments are with us still.
Ken Sehested
Co-pastor, Circle of Mercy Congregation
Asheville, NC
8.11.05
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