What we affirm:
- Our identity is in Jesus Christ. Our sexuality is important. The Bible is authoritative.
- God’s creation is good! He made it for his glory and gave us gifts for our flourishing. Sex is good, for goodness’ sake.
- God loved us when he made us, creating us to be in relationship with him. Our desires to be in relationship-to love and be loved in return-are a part of our humanity.
- Biblical standards surrounding sexuality are contrary to those of our broader North American culture.
- Knowing more about ourselves and the lives God designed us for will help us live better, God-honoring sexual lives.
- Being a sexual human being is not easy; but it’s not impossible, either. The Holy Spirit is powerful within and among us. By his power, we are able to live in this not-easy, not-impossible place.
In Addition:
The above affirmations apply to everyone. Today there is a heightened desire to understand homosexuality as it relates to our humanity. Therefore we've provided some additional questions and answers about Calvin and this important cultural and personal topic.
FAQ about Calvin and Homosexuality:
Each day the world calls to us with loud and distorted messages in the area of human sexuality. As a Reformed Christian liberal arts institution, Calvin would be remiss if it failed to provide students with opportunities to consider carefully the responsibilities of God’s people in this area of our humanity. In response to that call, we offer the following frequently asked questions and our answers which support the CRC's 2002 Synodical Report on Pastoral Care for Homosexual Members.
Q. What is Calvin’s position on homosexuality and same-sex marriage?
A. Calvin College affirms the position of the Christian Reformed Church on homosexuality, which distinguishes between homosexual orientation and homosexual practice. While orientation may lie outside the scope of an individual’s will, by God’s power and grace, behavior lies within it. All people, gay and straight, are responsible for their actions, sexual or otherwise. It is the position of the Church, and by extension, Calvin College, that sexual activity outside the parameters of a heterosexual, covenantal marriage relationship are outside of God’s will for sexual intimacy.The Church’s position includes more than a statement about the morality of sexual conduct, however. The Christian Reformed Church has adopted guidelines about concerns of justice and grace for homosexual church members, first in Acts of Synod 1973 and again in a study committee report on Pastoral Care for Homosexual Members in 2002. **Pastors and office holders of the church are to encourage a culture of sensitivity and understanding for persons with same-sex attraction and counteract the prejudices they face (26). Additionally, institutions associated with the church are to do their part to help educate ministers, to offer counseling for homosexual individuals and their families, and foster a Christian attitude in the church and society (26).
In the same report, the Synod of the CRC also recognized the complexity of dialogue about homosexuality. It recognizes the human, “natural inclination to look for simple and quick answers to difficult and emotional issues, [which] can lead to a premature drawing of lines and a lack of compassion in our responses” (27). The report also recognizes a barrier to conversation in that “many heterosexuals have a tendency to feel uncomfortable when dealing with anything homosexual” (27).
Given the complexity of the conversation, our prayer is that a spirit of courage, justice, grace, and convicted civility (to use a term from Fuller Seminary president Richard Mouw) will characterize our discussions on these questions, and about others on which Christians disagree.
**Citations and paraphrases in this FAQ are from the synodical report Pastoral Care for Homosexual Members: Reports of 1973 and 2002, Grand Rapids, MI: CRCNA, 2002. The report is available online: http://www.crcna.org/site_uploads/uploads/2002_report_careforhomosexuals.pdf