tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post3210257285778924113..comments2023-07-19T18:07:56.603-04:00Comments on Progressive Christian Reflections by Chris Glaser: The Call to CelibacyChris Glaserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-16073590495905807062017-01-12T09:31:58.050-05:002017-01-12T09:31:58.050-05:00Notice I therefore include "by this I mean an...Notice I therefore include "by this I mean any intimate relationship" beside the word "marriage." Christian tradition followed the Roman understanding that a couple married each other, and so there were same-gender marriages long before they were recognized. And today, couples are choosing to be in relationship without official "marriage."Chris Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-37155584639319184462017-01-11T20:13:28.086-05:002017-01-11T20:13:28.086-05:00What is our spirituality as gay married persons? W...What is our spirituality as gay married persons? Well, we haven't had 2000 years to develop that openly in the Church. That question is therefore unfair. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02014053315913103930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-26814298421887055272017-01-11T12:41:26.849-05:002017-01-11T12:41:26.849-05:00And God's blessings on you! Thank you for this...And God's blessings on you! Thank you for this response, and for your witness of another model for ministry!Chris Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-17905051025203288572017-01-11T09:54:47.627-05:002017-01-11T09:54:47.627-05:00Thanks, again! As a single, gay, celibate Protesta...Thanks, again! As a single, gay, celibate Protestant pastor (raised Roman) I have embraced celibacy as a way of focusing my attention on my call. Living in a small town where the option of looking for a sexual/loving partner outside my own church is nearly non-existent and therefore the vow to forgo that (for life? maybe not, but for now) has opened up both time and a new level of spirituality for me.<br /><br />You are a good and thoughtful man, Chris. thank you for taking my comments in the loving spirit they are given. God bless!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09072233464914136933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-44965562404870494132017-01-11T09:07:37.745-05:002017-01-11T09:07:37.745-05:00Thanks, I intended no disrespect for his choices. ...Thanks, I intended no disrespect for his choices. I absolutely believe he was led by the Spirit, which is why he also experienced conflict with the church's expectations--as we all do. I also wish the Protestant Church would embrace celibacy as a model as it embraces marriage. The Christian tradition is best open to all models of ministry, while recognizing its need to find intentional supports for each model. Thanks for your positive way of correcting the shortcomings of this post.Chris Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053827119412315808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575514155486283253.post-65802214762403816172017-01-11T08:33:42.451-05:002017-01-11T08:33:42.451-05:00Thank you for your insights, and please keep shari...Thank you for your insights, and please keep sharing your stories. It is clear that the bridge between Protestant and Catholic goes much further than Tradition and Authority. The sense of call, as you mentioned it, is much greater than a "call to service" for a community. It is a direct call from God to do godly work here on earth, most often (if not all the time) in community. However, presupposing that the Protestant model of marriage would be better for all is a human mistake. I knew Henri very well and while he had many thoughts and doubts and fallacies as we all do, he always lived his life for one purpose, which was not himself. I love your writings but please give the work of the Holy Spirit credit in guiding Henri during his lifetime, no matter what shortcomings you may have experienced with him, and no matter what things may have been in his heart that he only began to explore as a mature man.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09072233464914136933noreply@blogger.com