Blessed are the Peacemakers..
The Art of Bridging / Providing Safe Harbor
Whether you call it peacemaking or bridge building it is never an easy task.
When Jesus said these words :"Blessed are the peace makers.." in
Matthew 5:1-12, He was talking to an oppressed nation that hoped Jesus
would be the promised one who would throw off the oppressors and bless
them. Instead He called for peace.
When I talk about bridge building I am talking about building or facilitating a
bridge of respect and understanding between us and those who believe
differently than we do. In order to be effective ambassadors for Christ
(which is what we are called to do) we must seek to understand the culture
and mindset of those we are speaking to. This is true whether we are
talking about difference in nationality, race, religion, or orientation.
This requires dialog and understanding. All too often our understanding of
another people group is slanted by a lack of information, misinformation,
and stereotypes. As Christians we should not allow this to happen. Today
we would call this prejudice or bigotry. James called it favoritism and warns
us against it (See James 2:1-4)
Along with respecting people (of different orientation, nationality,
denomination and so forth) we also need to provide safe harbor for those of
different moral beliefs. I have seen folks shift in this area as they try to find
their way .. Those shifts can take months or years. This happens best when
we provide an atmosphere of safe-harbor. Websites such as Bridges
Across the Divide worked long and hard to find ways to provide safe harbor
for discussions that took place on their forum. They came up with
terminology to assist them in this. A description of this terminology follows..
The purpose of bridging is to provide a gracious atmosphere of respect and
understanding where people can come to faith in Christ and, if they are
already a Christian, grow in Christ.
.
Side A: These folks believe that same sex individuals can have a sexual
relationship together but (typically) only in a committed relationship akin to
heterosexual marriage.
Side B: These folks believe you can embrace same sex attraction and /or
gay identity but do not believe that same sex sexual relationships honor
God. Lgbt individuals who believe this either live a celibate life or have a
heterosexual marriage (sometimes called a mixed orientation marriage).
They also may have a committed same-sex relationship but not have sex.
Side C: These folks are either not sure what they believe about the
issue or are uncomfortable with defining their view point as one or the
other.
(Note: I give more details and theology concerning the sides on this page)
Methods
Usually on the issue of homosexuality, people use one of two approaches
described as 'methods'. See below (derived from Bridges Across)...
Method D: Many on both Side A and Side B are opposed to our ideal of
respectful relationships and dialogue. Some of them think that such respect
is impossible to achieve, others feel that extending that respect to those on
the other side is wrong. The resulting dynamic is one which (in our opinion,
unfortunately) plagues most discourse on the moral/political issues
surrounding homosexuality today. (This method is not the philosophy of this
web site) For more details on this Method click here.
Method E: Supporters of Method E do not deny that our disagreements
with the other side are serious and profound. Some may view the other side
as promoting evil and/or destructive practices and beliefs. To be Method E
is not to be naive about the other side, nor is it to be lukewarm about one's
own convictions. It is, rather, to insist upon acknowledging and respecting
the humanity of those with whom we disagree. As a Christian I feel that
Jesus' teachings about loving our enemies and blessing those who
persecute us call us to reject the approach of Method D in favor of this
method. For more details on this Method click here.
Some things to consider as you post on the forum..
1. Every human being is of immeasurable worth and deserves to be treated
with respect.
2. Each of us views the world through our own denominational and moral
lens. But we will likely encounter folks here from very different
denominational backgrounds and moral beliefs. So rather than be
threatened by this we need to remember that Jesus is present and fully able
to do His work with people from different perspectives
3. The best way to get to know one another, respect one another, and
learn from one another is through providing a safe harbor for all who visit
here and also for all we may meet out in the world.
The Art of Bridging / Providing Safe Harbor
Whether you call it peacemaking or bridge building it is never an easy task.
When Jesus said these words :"Blessed are the peace makers.." in
Matthew 5:1-12, He was talking to an oppressed nation that hoped Jesus
would be the promised one who would throw off the oppressors and bless
them. Instead He called for peace.
When I talk about bridge building I am talking about building or facilitating a
bridge of respect and understanding between us and those who believe
differently than we do. In order to be effective ambassadors for Christ
(which is what we are called to do) we must seek to understand the culture
and mindset of those we are speaking to. This is true whether we are
talking about difference in nationality, race, religion, or orientation.
This requires dialog and understanding. All too often our understanding of
another people group is slanted by a lack of information, misinformation,
and stereotypes. As Christians we should not allow this to happen. Today
we would call this prejudice or bigotry. James called it favoritism and warns
us against it (See James 2:1-4)
Along with respecting people (of different orientation, nationality,
denomination and so forth) we also need to provide safe harbor for those of
different moral beliefs. I have seen folks shift in this area as they try to find
their way .. Those shifts can take months or years. This happens best when
we provide an atmosphere of safe-harbor. Websites such as Bridges
Across the Divide worked long and hard to find ways to provide safe harbor
for discussions that took place on their forum. They came up with
terminology to assist them in this. A description of this terminology follows..
The purpose of bridging is to provide a gracious atmosphere of respect and
understanding where people can come to faith in Christ and, if they are
already a Christian, grow in Christ.
.
Side A: These folks believe that same sex individuals can have a sexual
relationship together but (typically) only in a committed relationship akin to
heterosexual marriage.
Side B: These folks believe you can embrace same sex attraction and /or
gay identity but do not believe that same sex sexual relationships honor
God. Lgbt individuals who believe this either live a celibate life or have a
heterosexual marriage (sometimes called a mixed orientation marriage).
They also may have a committed same-sex relationship but not have sex.
Side C: These folks are either not sure what they believe about the
issue or are uncomfortable with defining their view point as one or the
other.
(Note: I give more details and theology concerning the sides on this page)
Methods
Usually on the issue of homosexuality, people use one of two approaches
described as 'methods'. See below (derived from Bridges Across)...
Method D: Many on both Side A and Side B are opposed to our ideal of
respectful relationships and dialogue. Some of them think that such respect
is impossible to achieve, others feel that extending that respect to those on
the other side is wrong. The resulting dynamic is one which (in our opinion,
unfortunately) plagues most discourse on the moral/political issues
surrounding homosexuality today. (This method is not the philosophy of this
web site) For more details on this Method click here.
Method E: Supporters of Method E do not deny that our disagreements
with the other side are serious and profound. Some may view the other side
as promoting evil and/or destructive practices and beliefs. To be Method E
is not to be naive about the other side, nor is it to be lukewarm about one's
own convictions. It is, rather, to insist upon acknowledging and respecting
the humanity of those with whom we disagree. As a Christian I feel that
Jesus' teachings about loving our enemies and blessing those who
persecute us call us to reject the approach of Method D in favor of this
method. For more details on this Method click here.
Some things to consider as you post on the forum..
1. Every human being is of immeasurable worth and deserves to be treated
with respect.
2. Each of us views the world through our own denominational and moral
lens. But we will likely encounter folks here from very different
denominational backgrounds and moral beliefs. So rather than be
threatened by this we need to remember that Jesus is present and fully able
to do His work with people from different perspectives
3. The best way to get to know one another, respect one another, and
learn from one another is through providing a safe harbor for all who visit
here and also for all we may meet out in the world.
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A Gracious Approach