Biblical Studies on Homosexuality. 2

On the Assumptions of Feelings in Determining Truth

“Homosexuals have their own identity, culture, socialization process, and theories of knowledge. What seems biblically straightforward to many Christians might be understood very differently by a homosexual. Fundamental words such as “sin” may mean one thing to you but something else to homosexuals. For you it means disobedience before the Lord; for the homosexual it may mean harming other people. You appeal to the Bible as the final word in all discussion; the homosexual may appeal to feelings and certain personal and political rights. Such differences are bound to lead to misunderstanding unless we are prepared.”

This is from Ed Welch’s booklet; what about the place of feelings as assumptions?

From my own life, and in working with others, we struggle with the role of personal feelings and setting forth a point in conversation or argumentation. The sentence I just wrote is grounded in my own personal experience. In short, we must be much more aware of the role of feelings when discussing proofs, standards and truth.

We too easily live life based on feelings. We say, “I feel right about something.” Why? We’ve reached a conclusion, and have arrived at truth—and now we go out and live. Based on a particular assumption about the role of feelings, we live. What assumption? Does the Bible teach we can feel right about something? No. We can’t. We cannot feel right; we cannot feel true. Righteousness and truth are not feelings and emotions. Feeling right about something is a judgment, not an emotion. My feelings do not determine truth, judgments do.

If we say feeling right about something serves as the basis for hope, we’re in trouble. On this count, righteousness, truth and justice have become an emotional idea or a fluid, less-than-concrete notion. Truth is not an emotion.

Looking carefully at our assumptions about the place and role of feelings needs our attention. Assumptions serve like an easy chair for us. We sit in the easy chair without really concentrating on the fact of its support and comfort. It is THERE, but getting little notice from us.

If we—heterosexuals and homosexuals—assume that feelings have the capacity to determine truth, we’ve confused feelings and judgments.

Jesus Christ did not come to save us from feelings, but the suppression of the truth, living in unrighteousness. Men make judgments. We judge God and His truth, rightly or wrongly. Judgments lead to righteousness or unrighteousness. So long as heterosexuals and homosexuals keep talking about feelings, we have no hope for transformation for His glory.

One quick example: Maybe I feel sad, insecure and/or doubtful about assurance of salvation. Does having assurance of salvation mean maintaining freedom from feeling sad, feeling insecure or doubtful? Assurance is not a feeling. We can feel sad, but I cannot feel saved or lost in damnation. My assurance is not the feeling itself. Assurance of salvation depends on proofs, a standard and judgments. Assurance depends on God’s standard, His Word, not my feeling one way or another. Assurance relies on God’s promises—what He has said and done regarding His Son.

G. Mark Sumpter