Gay furore triggers ‘new reformation’

by Kym Fuhrmann

Homosexuality could be the trigger for a 21st century reformation, according to US evangelical preacher and writer Don Carson.

Dr Carson made the comments at the launch of the Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC) School of Preaching in March.

During an impassioned talk on ‘Challenges to the 21st Century Pulpit’ he said in the history of the Reformation, ‘indulgences’ triggered a return to the Scriptures.

“In one sense indulgences were not the problem, but they became the trigger for people at the time to think about the Bible,” he said.

He claimed that homosexuality will force the modern Church to consider the same question as they decide if they will ‘live under the word of God or not’.

Dr Carson gave a stern warning to more than 200 people gathered at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (SHORE).

“Homophobia is always ugly and sinful,” he said, “and as a result, we need to be careful in our handling of text and people.”

“I would love to see preachers coming out of SMBC who are able to have Bible studies with homosexuals,” he said.

Dr Carson said homosexuality is an issue the church cannot duck. “If we refuse to talk about dark issues, they will come back and bite us in five to ten years time.”

He also raised other issues which he believes preachers must address, including multiculturalism, rising biblical illiteracy, and acceleration in the pace of life.

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