I John

I have now read 1 John about three times (plus some failed attempts).  It does read a lot like the gospel of John, though Marcus J. Borg states that there is a consensus that it was not written by the same author(p 405).  I find the writing somewhat circular - and that weighs me down as I read - but the two themes that keep coming at me are to avoid false prophets/idols - or I guess this could be to stay true to the message of Christ - and that love is extremely important - as a gift from God, as a sign of being a true disciple, as a response to God's love.

In the midst of reading through this document, I am also trying to read a book lent to me by well meaning friends.  This book is written as a proof that one cannot be both Christian and Gay.  I am finding it disheartening as I read this book. The author seems to be very well read and intelligent.  His credentials are impressive yet so much of his argument is based on his 20th (or 21st) century understanding (the correct reading?) of Scripture. He quotes many scholars that hold opposing views, but seems to refute their arguments (though not necessarily to my satisfaction). Is this a false prophet of whom I should be wary?  Or are the many voices I hear calling for full acceptance of alternate sexuality within the church the ones for which I need to watch out?   How do I "test every spirit...to see whether they are from God" (4:1)?  If people arguing both sides of an issue claim to be professing God's will and the gospel of Christ - or "that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" (4:2) - are they both from God? How do I gain guidance from all this?

When the writer of I John says "We know that those who are born of God do not sin" (5:18) does he mean that we should be judging each other and ourselves and, if we still find sin within us, recognize that we are not of God? Is homosexuality a sin? When the writer speaks of mortal and non mortal sins (ch 5:14-17) is he referring to sexual differences?  if so - which category do they fall under? He is very clear that hating a brother or sister is a sin - does this extend to people who are not a part of the church because they have found it an unsafe, even hurtful place to be?

If chapter 2:20 and following are accurate, we "have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of [us] have knowledge" and it is the antichrist that causes the confusion - but who is the antichrist in this situation?  Why do I still struggle?  Why don't I just know the answers?  Why don't we all agree?

While there are many questions that arise for me - the answer, and the author of  1 John, always seems to come back to "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God...: (chapter 4:7ff).  People of different faiths, Christian and other, have known and shown love - even, at times, to those who seem unlovable.  There are people who are gay, or lesbian, or bisexual, or transgender, or "queer" or straight that know and show love.  Who am I, with my imperfect expressions of love for others, to say that these people don't know God as well as I do?  Or that God loves them less?  Or that their expressions of love are less worthy than mine?  "EVERYONE who loves is born of God and knows God".  If I exclude people because some other people don't like the way they express their love - how am I showing God's love?  Am I, then, walking in "light" or "darkness"?  Am I then becoming one of "those who say, 'I love God,' and hate their brothers or sisters," (chapter 4:20) ? Who 1 John says are liars? "The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also." (ch 5:21) This is where my thoughts rest.

What about purity?  What about staying away from sin? "No one who abides in him sins" (ch 3:6).  It seems to me there are two assumptions that allow that question in the midst of this debate - one is that straight people don't sin  - "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us"(ch1:10) - and the other is that all LGBTQ people are sinning (willfully and often) - "You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin..." (ch 3:5). I guess I just don't see how anybody else's sins - even sexual sins if you consider homosexual activity a sin - are so much worse than my sins of omission (and commission).  We have all sinned and fall short of God's glory and ultimate design - so if we want a pure church it is going to be mighty empty, I think. I'd rather lean toward love.

I do not have all the answers - but I believe that over and over again - in the Gospels, in the epistles and especially in I John - we are told that Love is the most important commandment, sign and gift. So if I am going to make a mistake - I am going to err on the side of love.  I will continue to test the spirits - both of opinions and Biblical interpretation - and will continue to pray - to abide in Christ. I hope and trust that, somehow, I will discern which are the false teachings and understand better the true ones.  I believe I will grow in love for my brothers and sisters, that I will be able to abide in Christ and hope that I will learn to free myself from sin,  I believe this is the call of  1 John and I hope I will be able, with God's help, to answer that call.