Is it time for the church to set aside theological differences about the morality of same-sex

unions and gender identity and find common ground in the gospel?

Is same-sex marriage a disputable issue that should not divide us believers?

According to a new book, the answer to both these questions is yes.

The book is called Christ-like acceptance across deep difference

and is co-edited by Ron Pierce, a non-affirming scholar who worked at Biola for five decades

and Karen Keene, an affirming scholar.

Scott, tell me why you think it's important for us to respond to this book.

I've got some thoughts, but weigh in.

Well, Sean, this is still a huge cultural issue.

And I agree that the tone with which we conduct this debate has often been harsh and

uncivil and uncaring. And I think that's probably true on both sides of this. So I think definitely

the tone and the style with which we conduct these discussions, that's long overdue to change

and reflect a Christ-like civility

that I think is characteristic of all of Scripture and what should characterize all of our

conversations about matters with which we disagree.

But just because we disagree doesn't mean that we abandon our convictions and doesn't mean that we look for a, quote,

a third way of common ground between the two opposing sides. So I think this is really important,

and we'll get to more of this in a bit. We will, yeah. I don't think that issues of sexuality are

peripheral to the central issues of the gospel.

I think Ephesians 5 makes it pretty clear that it's a central issue to the church's witness to the world.

So I think that's the way I think Christ designed it.

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