Why I Stay: Greg Johnson on Being Gay and On Trial

[@camara1194]

I’m reading his book currently. He’s got an amazing testimony. I can tell he’s been through a lot. I hope a lot of people listen to his story. He, Rosaria Butterfield, Rachel Gilson, Christopher Yuan, have a hard fight and battle and their stories are all amazing. A lot of us could benefit from hearing them.

[@Tanya-fl6jj]

The LORD does not want u promoting urself you just need DELIVERANCE from these demons. You need to step down ASAP. God bless u COME OUT UR UNCLEAN SPIRIT IN JESUS NAME AMEN

[@zeph537]

You said everything I was thinking. Send like he's just promoting satan at this point

[@camara1194]

What?

[@DiodeMom]

He has been delivered through celibacy. Remember Paul? Sometimes God lets us live with a thorn in our side. He is same sex attracted but he’s not “laying with a man…” God is using him to change a culture. I give him a lot of credit for being truthful about his struggles.

[@PaulWestonEden]

Greg, I just had a difficult discussion with a family member who agrees with your view. So I came home and have been researching your experience with the PCA and read an article you wrote, "I'm a gay, celibate pastor of a conservative church. Here's a trick for de-escalation." My experience in all of these types of discussions, your article is similar, is that the discussion always comes back to emotionalism, how we should feel about this issue, but no Scripture to solidly back up your opinions you believe are biblical. You are very good at using strings of adjectives to denigrate those who don't agree ("...a couple thousand mostly older white, churchgoing, Southern, heterosexual religious conservatives with children and grandchildren and seersucker suits") but you nor anyone else can overcome the truth that a born-again man or woman is a "new creation" and is now "identified" with Christ. Identity is the key issue here. If something is "defining" a Christian's very being as an image bearer of Christ other than God's design, he or she will never move past it because it is a controlling influence -- it is not the Holy Spirit. It is a stronghold. There is no such thing as a "gay Christian". There are simply Christians. My last point is this: why did you not make this known to your church BEFORE they paid for your education and ordained you? You must have known their doctrinal position. If you did know, then you deceived them and your congregation all the way though seminary. God hold's pastors to higher standard and stricter judgment. I believe scripturally you should step down from leadership in a church for as long as it takes to overcome this stronghold and gain victory. Until then, ask other pastors and believers who care about you to join you in praying for deliverance. I am praying now for you and your church.

[@camara1194]

But that’s different though. He’s not in a relationship (with a guy), not having sex with men (which is the act) and when it comes to marriage, he believes in a traditional sexual ethic so he doesn’t support gay marriage.

[@massagewerks1734]

Where does scripture hold pastors to a higher level of judgment. That sounds like a man made rule. Please look at your statements through gods eyes of grace.

[@DiodeMom]

I think a lot of Christians are forgetting about Paul. He lived with a “thorn in his side” that God chose not to remove. We don’t know what it was. Could have been a mental disorder, a physical limitation or disease, or something like same-sex attraction for all we know. It saddens me that people are pointing fingers at this man. Hear me- ALL PASTORS SIN. All. Of. Them. Is this man’s sin worse than theirs? He’s staying celibate. Did those pastors give up alcohol addiction, or chasing women, or looking at pornography, or just simply being judgmental of people? I hope so, if they’re denigrating this man.

[@michaelwalas5948]

I recommend that you read Romans chapter 1

[@harrywilson404]

Am a deacon in the PCA and also same sex attracted. Have read your most recent book. Have had nothing but love and support from my church Keep fighting the good fight.

[@massagewerks1734]

I’m a leader in my Elca Lutheran church that is affirming. His book is fabulous 👍👍👍👍and I love this interview with Preston. I have been through a tough journey in my faith and coming out process too.

[@ctvtmo]

For an example of what Johnson calls "hateful" see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYLag3-woLmpers

[@dansaber4427]

You can be LGBT and Christian 👬

[@rjskeptic5273]

Except both the old and new testaments speak out against same sex attraction.

[@dansaber4427]

@@rjskeptic5273 the purpose of the Bible is to prove that you're not up to its standards and so you should return and do what God commanded from the beginning which is to trust him and not eat from the Tree of knowledge then you can eat from the Tree of life. This is the Gospel.

[@danielperpar8782]

There's an interesting episode on the gospels about a centurion and his "friend" who was healed by Jesus from which we can draw a teaching. Exegesis is going on on these topics nowadays that reveals a different and more accurate view on the topic

[@edrash1]

If you act on your desires and live an impenitent life of sin, you have God’s promise you will eternally burn and suffer.

[@dansaber4427]

@@edrash1 Are you concerned with your Self-Preservation or loving someone else? I say you're already in the same sex relationship; a lover of yourself. If you're concerned with your Eternal Preservation, you're only thinking of yourself. That's who you're in a relationship with. Not God.