Many years ago I was on a plane flight back from a conference and happened to be seated next to Dr. Ralph Blair--a noted psychotherapist, evangelical Christian, and openly gay man. At the time, I opposed the ordination of people who are LGBT. But we chatted amiably during the flight. During our conversation I was struck by how thoroughly evangelical he was--he loved Jesus and sought to follow him as much as anyone I'd ever met. Furthermore, Dr. Blair knew who he was--he wasn't wrestling with his sexuality--he knew that he was created and loved by God just like everyone else.
Now, of course, I know many wonderful evangelical Christian men and women who are in committed same sex relationships. And by studying the Biblical texts in depth, I can see that prohibitions against ordaining people who are gay and lesbian are an anachronism--much like our church's previous policies against ordaining people of African descent, women, or people who are divorced or remarried.
Recently, Dr. Blair did a thoughtful review of my new book, Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church that he posted on his Evangelicals Concerned, Inc. website. We haven't been in touch over the years, but I'm grateful for Dr. Blair's continuing graceful witness to Christ's love and grace.
