Sometimes the church’s tradition needs to be corrected and reformed by Scripture.

most people who are attracted to the same sex don’t end up leaving the church because they were told that same-sex behavior is wrong. They leave because they were dehumanized, ridiculed, and treated like an “other.”

Sexuality . . . cannot escape its cultural connection.”

If we say that Christians should endorse same-sex relations, then we will need to recreate a rather un-Jewish Jesus and an un-Jewish New Testament.

all spiritual gifts—charismas—are given by God for the good of those around you.

That’s what “reformation” means. It means that we submit our traditions to the authoritative Word, even if it compels us to reconfigure long-held beliefs.

It is our job to broadcast the love of Christ in such a way that there is no doubt in their minds that Christianity is where love and salvation can be found. Love—biblical love—does not mean affirming everyone’s behavior. Yet people will never have the power to change unless they first experienced genuine acceptance.

repentance doesn’t lead to God’s kindness. It’s God’s kindness that leads to repentance

some people are more addicted to judgment than they are to grace.