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by Dr. Thomas Hoeksema
Statements Against Heterosexual Marriages Only
Statement
The HSR disregards God’s boundless love and disrespects reformed theologians who hold a different interpretation of Scripture.
Dr. Hoeksema is a retired professor of special education. He is on the board of All One Body.
God’s boundless love is key. He says he doesn’t deny the value of sin. Members of the CRC don’t agree about what is moral. In other spheres we give each other room. “It [HSR] tries to speak of grace . . . but ultimately it claims a duty to name homosexual love a sin.” The report says homosexual acts endanger salvation. The HSR smells of legalism. And fails to grasp God’s love. The conclusions are graceless. Even if one agrees with the committee that same-sex sex is sin, one does not need to agree that committed, monogamous same-sex partnerships prohibit one from full participation in the life of one’s congregation or deserve church discipline or jeopardize one’s salvation.”
The HSR misrepresents the grace of God.
They will know we are Christians not by our precise doctrinal statements . . . but by our love.
Thoughtful theologians differ.
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Response
Does this really differ from shall we sin that grace may abound? It sounds like they are similar.
What does he think is the role of the keys of the kingdom? It sounds like he doesn’t have much, if any, room at all for that.
Dr. Brownson held the position that the love of God is not a valid argument for supporting the acceptance of same-sex marriage. Why does Dr. Hoeksema now base his position on this argument of the love of God?
Hoeksema believes that room should be given for differing opinions. Should the CRC enfold someone who denies the deity of Christ? If not, than what is the dividing line between when room for differing views should be made, and when it is not an option to allow differing views to exist? Conservatives do not believe this matter allows for differing views.