Scripture vs Jesus? Holiness vs Love?
Life lessons of a loving gay Christian
Let’s get this straight: Jesus is the greater authority than scripture. And love supersedes holiness.
Evangelical Protestants believe that Jesus alone is uniquely significant above all other authorities (i.e., “Solus Christus”). Additionally, such evangelicals consider the bible alone to be the source of Truth (i.e., “Sola Scriptura”).
While evangelicals theologically see the significance of Jesus, in reality, they preach the seemingly higher authority of scripture. And within evangelicals’ priority of citing scripture, they often seem to be emphasizing holiness (i.e., the sins to avoid doing). Loving one’s neighbor (especially the marginalized) is sometimes relegated to the lower, “soft priorities” — while obeying strict sexual laws commands center stage.
This ought not be.
This paper proposes we Christians (traditionalists and progressives) put “first things first.” Specifically, I will first discuss the present reality of evangelicals being known for their zeal for bible verses over behaving as Jesus did. Furthermore, evangelicals have sadly become the camp for “hard-line righteousness” and overselling its holiness priority. Conversely, the evangelicals view the progressives as the “warm and fuzzy” camp that preaches love with more emphasis than holiness.
Sola Scriptura and the Holiness Tribe
Sola Scriptura. To be an evangelical is to simultaneously uphold sola scriptura. This principle maintains that scripture alone should be trusted above all other sources. Evangelicals believe that their bible (and there are many, many different Christian bibles) was inspired by God. Armed with the authority of God, evangelicals use the verses from their bible as individual statements of absolute Truth. Accordingly, evangelicals believe their bible is inerrant and infallible. Thus, there is nothing in their bible that cannot completely be trusted as Truth. If a person wants to win an argument, he needs only to accurately quote their bible.
In the sola scriptura dogma, there is no room for questions or doubt; all must believe in one systematic theology for explaining the meaning of the bible’s passages. Evangelicals believe that their bible does not contradict its own teachings. And they believe their bible is “plain and simple” in its understanding (i.e., what it says is what it means).
Holiness. While the evangelicals’ bible tells stories and provides some history, evangelicals often emphasize the commands found in their bible. Such directives give the reader clear statements of what not to do. Evangelicals seem to focus more upon the “do not” than the “do.” Famously, evangelicals are culturally known for their emphasis on sexual ethics (i.e., which sexual behaviors are wrongful).
Perhaps the most damning image of evangelicals is that they stand opposed to “gays.” Such a macro position results in no differentiation between “opposing adulterous acts of anal intercourse between men” versus simply stating that “I am gay.” Also, evangelicals are often quick to restrict the same rights to gays afforded to straights. Furthermore, evangelicals create a macro reputation about gays based upon disorder, hedonism, and demonic oppression. Such evangelicals use six verses from their bible as their justification.
Holiness campaigns (almost always referring to sexual abstinence) proliferate throughout evangelicals. There are even “Holiness denominations.”
In a convoluted way, holiness has become the primary goal of evangelicals. And strict compliance to their bible’s sexual commands has become the forefront of many evangelical males.
In short, for some evangelicals, the reliable source of Truth is their bible and all that it literally states. And evidence of one’s alignment with Jesus is holiness in abstaining from the sexual sins declared in their bible.
Solus Jesus and the Love Tribe
Solus Jesus puts one’s focus on the person of Jesus. It claims that Jesus alone holds life and the light of Truth. Jesus alone indicates the values that are to be prized. And Jesus alone demonstrates with His actions those types of behaviors to emulate.
The difference between sola scriptura and solus Jesus is a matter of priority. Should Christians primarily look to scripture as the basis for historical accuracy, theology, and improper behaviors? Or instead, should Christians primarily focus on the life of Jesus — His teachings, actions, and priorities?
So what did Jesus primarily teach? Was it rules against sexual behavior? No. It was mainly a vision of what “the Kingdom of God” looks like. Jesus showed His audiences that in His Kingdom, healing overcomes disability; merciful acts of kindness supersede self-centeredness. In Jesus’ Kingdom, societal values are topsy-turvy. The poor are to be envied and acclaimed; the marginalized receive Jesus’ time and attention. People in Jesus’ Kingdom give up everything to be in the Kingdom.
Jesus’ behaviors were consistent. He would notice a marginalized person who was hurting. He would then provide such people merciful acts of kindness. Jesus treated all people with dignity, and they were accepted “as is.”
Love. Jesus also had His personal priorities. In fact, Jesus commanded us to embrace His focus. Love.
Love your neighbor (e.g., the marginalized) in how you would like to be treated. Humbly serve others with merciful acts of kindness. If you love others in Jesus’ selfless way, it supersedes all other holiness commands.
Jesus’ fruit was not merely the self-control of holiness. Rather, His fruit also included love — which was expressed through joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness.
Solus Jesus. He alone is our answer. Love alone is the highest priority.
Getting Back on Track
Ever since the Reformation, evangelical Christians have been emphasizing sola scriptura. A caricature of some Christians is that they can recite every verse in their bible. They can throw the right scripture at just the right time — painting their “opponent” into a box where they have no good comeback.
Such is not solus Jesus. Jesus viewed every life (including the marginalized) as deserved of equal dignity and fairness. Jesus could recognize the poor and the hurting — and then provide them life-saving mercy.
Jesus demonstrated love (and did not consider it merely a “soft skill”). In fact, Jesus is love — the very source and definition of what love looks like.
Maybe our role on this planet is as “simple” as love. Love all others. Love like Jesus does.
Love conquers all.
Dr. Mike Rosebush is the founder/author of GAYoda. He has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor with nine years of counseling and mentoring thousands of gay Christian men. A short synopsis of Dr. Rosebush’s life can be found at I Lived the Most Unusual Gay Christian Life Ever. Please read the complete set of his articles here. You may contact Dr. Rosebush at mikerosebush75@gmail.com.
