The Nashville Statement and Faithfulness

Social media was abuzz the past few days with a document called the Nashville Statement. It’s an evangelical statement affirming and denying what the church historically has believed the Bible teaches regarding sexuality, gender, and marriage. 

I signed the document since it reflects what the Scriptures teach about God’s design and his will for his creation. 

I had a few other thoughts about the issue and this pivotal moment in history. These are things I think that we Christians who agree with the Nashville Statement need to keep our eyes on in the days (decades) ahead. 

Keep an eye out for prodigals. Christians need to remember that at the core of the Christian message is that the gospel saves sinners—that includes sinners who have left for a distant country with their sexuality. I have zero confidence that our culture will get any better anytime soon; I actually fear more churches will be open and affirming to sin, hence the need for a clarifying piece like the Nashville Statement. However, I do have confidence that the gospel will save prodigals, especially homosexual and transgender people (1 Cor 6:9-10). We need to keep in front of us that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10). Jesus has not changed (Heb 13:8). He is still on the mission of seeking and saving the lost. 

Keep an eye out for pride. There is a danger out there for those who hold the line on faithfulness. It’s the danger of conceit and pride when we believe that we hold the moral high ground. The angry elder brother becomes the one alienated from the Father's love (Lk 15:28). The self-righteous Pharisee always stands condemned (Lk 18:14). 

Keep an eye out for persecution. D.A. Carson in The Intolerance of Tolerance nails it: those who value tolerance only do so when you agree with them. Reading the reactions on Twitter from some to the Nashville Statement would make you think that Christians who hold to the authority of the Bible and believe in the reality of actual sin are the moral equivalent of an Adolf Hitler or worse. This should not be surprising, and there is no indication of it slowing down. Jesus said that his faithful followers, who stand for righteousness, will need to welcome persecution (Matt 5:11).