Compelling Love:

Dallas Theological Seminary

World Evangelization Conference

March 12, 2014

C. Gary Barnes, ThM, PhD

gbarnes@dts.edu

Sexual Identity Differences & the Church

Adapted from Stanley Grenz, Mark Yarhouse and Tim Keller

Christian Theology, Psychology, &

Homosexuality :

Dallas Theological Seminary

World Evangelization Conference

March 12, 2013

C. Gary Barnes, ThM, PhD

gbarnes@dts.edu

Foundations for Loving Your Neighbor

Adapted from Stanley Grenz, Mark Yarhouse and Tim Keller

I. Theology of Sexuality: (2013)A Foundation for a Sexual Ethics

Four Stages of Redemptive History in the Bible: 1) Creation 2) Fall 3) Redemption 4) Glorification.

For our present purposes, two themes for each of the four stages will be identified.

II. Psychology of Sexuality: (2013)

A Context for a Sexual Ethic

The most significant and useful psychological end point of the conversation, dialog or debate on homosexuality is NOT on causes or changes or cures for homosexual orientation,

The most significant and useful psychological end point is sexual identity.

III. Psychology of Christ: (2013)A Motivation for a Sexual Ethic

The key question for all of us is this: “How do we relate with each other when our beliefs, practices, values and views, deeply differ, distress and even offend each other?” My great hope for us is that we all would be able to move forward with this question. To facilitate this movement, I’d like to highlight the contrasts between the Psychology of Christ and the Psychology of the Cosmos

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical Overview:

Key Question – (follow up from WEC 2013)

“How can people connect with each other when their beliefs, values, and practices deeply differ, distress and even offend each

other?”

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical Overview:

“Compelling Love Project”

Connecting Grace & Truth with Sexual Identity Differences” is a five component

Project that challenges us all to be characterized by an uncommon response

of Compelling Love when we clash against our sexual identity differences.

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical

Purpose:

The “Compelling Love Project”

challenges us to go way beyond the common responses of intolerance and tolerance and in contrast, to be characterized by a 3rd option of Connecting Grace and Truth.

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical Definition:

A response of Connecting Grace & Truth

describes a person making an honest evaluation of another’s beliefs, values, or practices and then connecting with that person in an honest loving relationship, regardless of the differences.

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical

5 Guiding Principles:1) Same sex attraction & same sex orientation are not

determined by personal choices

2) These two tiers are not personal sin choices

3) These two tiers are not commonly changeable

4) Celibacy with same sex attraction & orientation is a lifestyle choice to be supported with connecting grace & truth

5) Identity and Maturity in Christ is the goal for all

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical

5 Components:

1) Documentary (60 minutes)

2) Discussion guide

3) e book

4) Small group curriculum (12 hr. workbook & videos)

5) National Survey

Compelling Love Project:2013-2014 sabbatical

5 Components:

1) Documentary (60 minutes)

vimeopro.com/kurtneale/compellinglove

facebook.com/compellinglovethefilm

2) National Survey

gbarnes@dts.edu

For copies of Presentations:

Love thy Neighbor: WEC 2013 Compelling Love: WEC 2014

Email: MABC administrative assistant

Roscelee Lubina

rlubina@dts.edu