During a panel discussion in April at the ‘For The Church’ micro-conference, Indianapolis (TGC19), Sam Allberry gave deeply thoughtful responses to concerns about Living Out (LO) – a UK ministry that seeks to support Christians who experience same-sex attraction (SSA).
In December 2018, en1 highlighted potential issues with their church audit, which had been promoted at events organised by LO. Tom Buck2 (writer and pastor in Texas) also extensively critiqued articles on the LO website, the True Freedom Trust website (which LO recommended), and an interview with fellow founding leader, Ed Shaw.
In a panel of striking meekness and openness, Jonathan Leeman (9 Marks) interviewed Allberry, who humbly acknowledged some of the shortcomings and confusion pertaining to LO, which are currently being addressed with an overhaul of the website.
Wrestling
Living Out was formed six years ago by a group of church leaders who had started to be open about SSA. Accordingly, they decided to encourage one another and then the wider church through this ministry. They believed that God had ‘a good word’ for people battling with SSA. In recent years, however, Allberry explained that the culture and language has changed so much that the ways in which he would have described SSA then is not how he would describe it now. For example, society now gives the word ‘orientation’ a fixed quality to it. So instead of talking about ‘his orientation’, Allberry now talks about ‘his attractions’.
Mortifying
In a very candid discussion, Allberry made it plain that SSA is ‘an ongoing temptation for him.’ Yet he made it clear that these desires are ‘fallen’ and that it was ‘not acceptable to even entertain such desires.’ He also explained that all sexual temptation comes from within and is a sign of the fallenness of every human heart. He clarified, therefore, that these wrong homosexual desires are to be mortified (in the same way that wrong heterosexual desires are to be mortified). This is because they constitute more than lust and can take the form of emotional overdependency or idolatry. Misdeeds of the flesh are to be put to death (Romans 8:13), Allberry clarified.
Addressing error
When asked about statements on the LO website that imply an acceptance of sexual orientation, Allberry apologised for any confusing or clumsy statements. Again, displaying great graciousness, Allberry did not attempt to excuse any error. For example, when Leeman highlighted an article which suggested that Christians should accept their SSA, come to terms with it, and admit it, he was quick to acknowledge that this not well expressed.
After pressing him further, Leeman asked if there was a difference between homosexual and heterosexual desires. Here Allberry said there were similarities as all wrestle with temptation. ‘We are all fallen, and we are all sexual sinners.’ However, he stated that the desires were also: ‘Not alike, because homosexuality is a further twisting of the blueprint we are given for human sexuality in Genesis 2 … in some sense it’s a greater perversion of the creation design.’
In the trenches
Allberry described himself and his fellow founders of LO, as those who had been ‘in the trenches together’. As men who are contending for faithfulness in the Church of England they are facing significant opposition. Indeed, Allberry described vicious attacks from both within and without. He had once been told by gay men that what he really needed was to be raped. While, from within his church, he has been told that his stance was responsible for people committing suicide. Nevertheless, Allberry has enjoyed better dialogue within secular LGBT groups. In fact, he stated that he has found better reception with such groups there than with progressive liberals within his Anglican communion.
Meanwhile some evangelicals have accused Allberry of wanting to legitimise homosexuality. Some have even stated that he is not a Christian and is doing the devil’s work.
Heavenbound
In truth, the pursuit of holiness, a growth in a hatred of sin, a love for Christ, and a desire to be more like Jesus is what Allberry says he continues to pursue. He said: ‘I will be like Jesus in the age to come and I want to reduce the culture shock of heaven by pursuing holiness now.’ He helpfully commented we all have a ‘godly concern about all sin: let’s not be more deeply convicted with the horror of the sins we are not struggling with than the ones we are.’
‘There is a harvest to be had in the LGBT demographic [But] be careful with brand new believers. Let’s not launch a theological airstrike on them.’3 A new convert is not going to have all their theology in place, so they need time and guidance to address the nuanced terminology around SSA, as we all do.
Leeman concluded by encouraging great patience in such discussion. In summary he laid two common pitfalls either ‘falling off into worldliness’ or ‘falling into a thousand different pieces as we disagree on questions of which we haven’t had experience in answering… let’s not get to sound more and more like the world where we eat each other up.’ He closed: ‘Sam, your humility commends the gospel!’
Watch the full interview here https://vimeo.com/327878051 (it starts 1 hour 5 minutes into the video)
