Burk: Experience of same-sex attraction ‘occasion for repentance’

I thought this article was helpful in light of discussions B.H. (Before Hack).

In his paper, Burk assessed three components of same-sex orientation: sexual attraction, romantic attraction, and identity. Burk acknowledged same-sex attraction as a predisposition, but categorized it with sinful predispositions such as pride, anger, and anxiousness. Emotional attraction to the same sex, Burk argued, is sinful so long as it contains “sexual possibility.” The notion of same-sex orientation as a person’s identity is also sinful because “it invites us to embrace fictional identities that go directly against God’s revealed purposes for his creation,” he said.

The terms “homosexual” and “heterosexual” were “ways to describe an identity based on a person’s pattern of sexual passions,” Burk added in the panel discussion. “That is not going to be helpful to us or useful to us at the end of the day if we add our endorsements to those identities.”

Burk, however, noted the necessity of using the terminology of sexual orientation, while “scrutinizing it from a biblical perspective” to focus on God’s purpose in creation for sexual desires.

Burk continues to spread confusion on the subject (though he is right about a number of things, especially the “identity” stuff)

but categorized it with sinful predispositions such as pride, anger, and anxiousness.

Pride and anger both have righteous expressions. Pride can be the opposite of shame, and we see it in, for example, Paul’s observations about his conscience, David’s references to his integrity, etc. Anger… is obviously not an inherently “sinful predisposition.” (See Psalm 7:11, Psalm 4:4)

As for “axiousness”… it is actually an act. It is something we do. There is no sin in feeling fear and uncertainty. Anxiousness, in the sense the Bible calls us to avoid, happens when we choose to indulge fear and uncertainty beyond what is intrumental for taking wise action (by the way, Scripture often give us imperatives like “beware” and “take care, lest…” etc. These are ‘anxiety’ words but in the healthy form).

So Burk continues to reveal that he is somewhat confused about the inner world of human nature in general, and not surprisingly, also on the topic of same sex attraction.

I took him to mean sinful predispositions to pride, anger, and anxiousness. Of course, he wrote what he wrote, but I think that’s what he meant. I can’t imagine that he believes anger is always sinful. A poor and confusing word choice, I would agree, but if that’s actually what he meant then I agree with him.

All,

So, are we all born with a predisposition towards same sex attraction? That’s what Burk seems to be suggesting.

KML

No, that’s not what he’s suggesting. He’s saying we each have predispositions (tendencies, inclinations) to certain kinds of sins.

Greg,

How does one prove it is a predisposition? Just curious.

Thanks,

Ken