World Vision’s theological question

World’s largest Christian humanitarian organization fights to resolve its internal struggle on gay marriage

[Editor’s Note: All references of World Vision only apply to the U.S. branch.]

Last week, the U.S. branch of major Christian charity organization World Vision announced that it would recognize practicing Christians in same-sex marriages for employment opportunities. As you might have guessed, that decision did not go over too well.

A mere two days after the announcement was made, World Vision reversed the policy, citing intense negative feedback and criticism from major Christian leaders and the worldwide Christian community.

This reversal is a gigantic success for the Christian community, and World Vision deserves a nod of respect for listening to their supporters and reacting accordingly.

The problem with World Vision’s original decision is that it was based on accommodating the views of a number of small denominations that recognize same-sex marriage as morally acceptable. World Vision President Richard Stearns said the issue of gay marriage has been a divisive force in churches around the world.

“Changing the employee conduct policy to allow someone in a same-sex marriage who is a professed believer in Jesus Christ to work for us makes our policy more consistent with our practice on other divisive issues,” Stearn said in an interview with Christianity Today. “It also allows us to treat all of our employees the same way: abstinence outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage.”

Stearn’s explanation concerning World Vision’s decision does not comply with what most evangelical Christians believe. To most, the practicing of homosexual acts is wrong. Same-sex marriage clearly exists under the umbrella of practicing homosexual acts. There are many different views on the minutiae of that idea, but most evangelical Christians generally agree with that disposition.

Christians are people who have accepted the gospel and by grace attempt to live according to the precepts set forth by the Bible and Jesus Christ. I say attempt, because no single person — other than Jesus — has lived a perfectly moral and righteous life. I say grace, because when we try and fail to be more like Jesus, he forgives us and reminds us that he has already taken the load.

Support of same-sex marriage is an all-encompassing embrace of an issue Scripture defines as sin. A person in a same-sex marriage who is a “practicing Christian” is living in constant defiance with every part of his or her being.

People do not want to support an organization that stamps that defiance as “OK.” It is not about hating homosexuals or telling them they are not valuable people. Very few Christians believe that, and those who do are wrong, because as Christians, we hate the sin, not the sinner.

People want to support causes they believe in and relate to. They want to align themselves with organizations that hold the same moral convictions.

Promoting the Christian values of family and faith while also affirming same-sex marriage as acceptable for practicing Christians is a precarious path to walk.

It is a wonderful thing that World Vision has reversed their decision. No Christian desires to withdraw support that would have helped needy children and families. Thankfully, that difficult decision now does not have to be made.

Core morals are what make Christians different from the rest of the world. That difference is how people see Jesus in us.

World Vision announced its policy reversal March 26, explaining the organization never meant to undermine the authority of scripture.

“While World Vision U.S. stands firmly on the biblical view of marriage, we strongly affirm that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, are created by God and are to be loved and treated with dignity and respect.”

Now that, Mr. Stearn, is a statement that I can fully support.