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Vol. CXXXVII Bank Transfer: Bank name: INDIAN BANK Branch: NAGPUR No.06 IFSC CODE: IDIB000N007 July 2017 A/C NAME: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES REVIEW A/C NUMBER: 496991073 3 July 2017 ncc review The National Council of Churches Review (NCC Review) EDITORIAL The Organ of the National Council of Churches in India Formerly published as “The Harvest Field” since 1862 As we complete two years of the Phase V of the NCCI – ESHA Program next Vol. CXXXVII No.06 July 2017 month, we look back with a sense of gratitude for the amazing ways in which God has guided the Program in engaging our member churches and some Contents EDITORIAL theological colleges with sensitive issues of sexuality and gender diversities. - Thomas Ninan 283 We had embarked on a road less travelled and today, we are proud to share that we are no longer alone in this difficult journey, as we found fellow ARTICLES Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Human Sexuality and pilgrims to join us in solidarity for those marginalized due to their diversities Gender Identities - Bendanglemla Longkumer 285 in sexuality and gender. As a seed dies to give birth to a new plant, a new life, Partnering together in the Healing Ministry of the Church we had the privilege to see the birth of new life, among the churches we - Roger Gaikwad 293 engaged with, as few of them, such as the Arcot Lutheran Church in Cuddalore and the Church of South India – Coimbatore Diocese came When Faith does Violence: Reimagining engagement between churches and LGBTI groups on homophobia in Africa forward to start a ministry among Transgenders, while the theological - Gerald O. West, Charlene van der Walt, Kapya J. Kaoma 299 colleges became more active in their engagement through discussions and research, such as the Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, the United Church Engagement in Human Sexuality: Pastoral Responses Sermon Methodologies Theological College, Bangalore and the Orthodox Theological Seminary, - Michael Schuenemeyer 318 Kottayam. We had an amazing South – South East Asian Consultation at ECC, Human Sexuality: Homiletical Response towards Sexual Immorality Bengaluru in February, 2017, which brought together a unique sharing of - Wapangyingla Ao 326 experiences and observations of theologians (which included queer theologians), church leaders and Christian LGBTIQs on this issue from a DEVOTION - Rohan Gideon 331 REPORT - Lai-shan Yip 335 single platform. STATEMENT 341 REFLECTION - Satish Gyan 345 The articles shared in this issue are a glimpse of these engagements, as they were some of the papers presented in our workshops with churches and ?Editor, Publisher & Printer: Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, National Council of Churches in India, P.B. No.: 205, Civil Lines, Nagpur-440 001, Maharashtra India, Phone: +91-712- from the Asian consultation. A key aspect shared in the discussions of the 2531312, 2561464 Fax: +91-712-2520554 Email: <[email protected]>?Managing Editor: Asian consultation was the obvious gap between the academics and the ? Communication Secretary Printed at: Shyam Brothers, Near ST Stand, Ganeshpeth, church life, particularly in India. In our endeavour towards striving for Nagpur ?Owner: Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, National Council of Churches in India ?Place of Publication: National Council of Churches in India, P.B. No.: 205, Civil Lines, Nagpur- inclusive churches, we look forward towards a synergy between the 440 001, Maharashtra, India ?Place of Printing: Shyam Bros, Near ST Stand, Ganeshpeth, academia and church life, in making these ideals a reality, particularly Nagpur concerning sexuality and gender diversities. We welcome your comments Views expressed in the NCC Review do not necessarily reflect the official position of the and feedback as you read them. As we move on to the next phase beginning National Council of Churches in India from September 2017 to August 2019, we invite our network, particularly Registration No. 223/2011 283 July 2017 ncc review 4 5 July 2017 ncc review those churches and theological colleges whom we are yet to engage with, to Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Human join us in this exciting journey, to recognize the crucial step that we will be Sexuality and Gender Identities -Bendanglemla Longkumer* taking ahead towards building just and inclusive communities. We do look forward to a deeper engagement with those whom we have engaged with so Rather than condemn and pull away from people whose lives far. We take this opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude, all the writers are messed up after years of drug abuse, sexual immorality, or who have contributed to this issue. greedy materialism, we should meet people where they are. This includes reaching out and offering the hope of restoration found in Jesus. - Gabe Lyons - Fr. Thomas Ninan Associate General Coordinator, ESHA-NCCI 1. Introduction Human sexuality is a much larger concept than sexual behavior. Its focus is ===more on what people are than what they do. This comes out clearly in the Biblical account of creation. They are made as sexual beings is specifically linked with their creation in God’s image (Gen 1:27). Biblically therefore sexuality is integral to human personhood. The creation account also highlights the relational value and purpose of sexuality. One of the results of sex revolution during the sixties is that there is openness about matters related to sexuality. As with many revolutions, the expectant result is many. It has resulted in understanding sexuality as something that is common to all people which needs examination, even within the church. From this vantage point healthy sexual attitudes can be developed and encouraged. If at all there is a problem it must be explained and addressed openly rather than condemned, ignored or stigmatized. Because such attitudes will not make the burden go away; it increases the weight and such response cannot be the choice of a compassionate Christian or church. 2. A Liberative Theology from the Perspective of Sexual Minority? The question of appropriate relation of the church to the excluded bodies has emerged as one of the major importance in theological deliberations and churches as well. Many of these deliberations share a concern to understand them in the light of Christian faith. My theological experiences have enabled me to understand that Christian faith is not that of being judgmental but of grace, compassion and hope. I also understand how difficult it is for a church to be confronted by issues which have long been *Dr. Bendanglemla Longkumer teaches Christian Theology at Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur. 284 285 July 2017 ncc review 6 7 July 2017 ncc review either ignored or not been given attention or even condemned especially written to reveal the nature of God and of humanity. From such about those groups of people that have been either excluded or stigmatized. a revealing, or revelation, men have traditionally attempted to derive codes of behavior and principles by which to make Again one wonders whether such deliberations would reinforce in them that decisions in all of the areas of their everyday lives. If this they are the group who are neither understood nor wanted, neither loved revelation is relevant to other areas in which we make ethical nor even to be tolerated, given the fact that heterosexuality has long been decisions, such as civil rights or academic integrity, I would understood/accepted as a superior form of sexuality to homosexuality. If hope that it is also relevant to this area of our decisions in looked at in terms of fulfilling procreation which as it applies to this context relation to the expression of our sexuality.3 the argument goes: sexuality belongs to the law of nature, but it is ordered toward a particular purpose, that is the procreation of children. Sexuality 3.1. Recalling God’s Creation which does not have this end in view violates that order. Homosexuality is We might recall that in the creation account humans who are created as thus a perversion of the natural order and therefore of the law of God.1 This sexual being is commanded by the creator to go out and fulfill his sexuality, principle is still strongly upheld in the “sanctity of the home and family”. by being fruitful and to multiply. The attribute that God is the Creator who Christians are closely linked with the preservation of the life of the family, basing on which homosexuality is understood as a clear violation of the ideal created everything out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo) means that God is of family life.