Justin Lee and Caleb Kaltenbach speak at Milligan
Milligan University hosted a series of campus ministry events last week that explored sexuality within Christianity. The school invited both an LGBTQ affirming author, Justin Lee, and a non-affirming author, Caleb Kaltenbach, to participate in the discussions.
Lee identified himself as being on side A, which he described as a “fully-affirming gay guy.” Kaltenbach, on the other hand explained he identified with side B which holds the traditional view that homosexuality is a sin. Both Lee and Kaltenbach fostered healthy communication during the discussions.
The first conversation took place on Tuesday at 11 a.m in the Seeger Chapel. Lee and Kaltenbach opened the conversation discussing their backgrounds. Lee explained that he became a Christian at a young age and later discovered that he was gay
“But I didn’t believe same-sex marriage was for me,” said Lee.
Justin Lee is author of “Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate” and “Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree With and Maybe Even Change the World.”
Kaltenbach grew up with same-sex parents and did not live in a Christian household. At the age of 16, Kaltenbach decided that he wanted to become a Christian, despite some of the challenging experiences he encountered.
The heart of such discussions rested heavily on the conversation of Christianity and the LGBTQ community. Lee’s and Kaltenbach’s major points on Tuesday included how to maintain friendships with people who hold different opinions along with the love that Christ has for his people.
“My friendships are not based on the other person’s orientation,” said Kaltenbach during the discussion on Tuesday. “Rather, they are based on love, trust, acceptance and agreement.”
Both Lee and Kaltenbach concluded that more grace and empathy are needed in the ongoing conversation of LGBTQ individuals in the Christian community.
“I still wanted to be treated with love, heard, and understood,” said Lee, “even when I had come out with my deepest secret.”
Lee and Kaltenbach emphasized to students that being okay with being uncomfortable is important when it comes to having successful relationships and conversations with those you may not agree with.
“It can’t be an us vs. them mentality,” said Kaltenbach. “If it is, you aren’t actually hearing and trying to understand the other person, instead you’re getting ready to state your next case on why you’re right.”
Kaltenbach is author of “Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Truth” and “Messy Truth: How To Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction.”
The conversation continued Tuesday night in Hyder auditorium with a Q&A for students. Questions from students included the asking of evidence for both sides A and B, and also the importance of coming to one’s own decision regardless of the other’s opinions.
According to Kaltenbach, the purpose of such discussions is to help foster a more loving community in which those who identify as LGBTQ and Christian feel welcomed.
To those who are looking to help distinguish their own thoughts and come to their own conclusion surrounding the discussions, Lee emphasizes the importance of educating oneself, asking questions, and examining reviews. Both Lee and Kaltenbach discussed that one’s faith is lived out through their actions.
“Regardless of who I choose to love, my identity is still in Christ,” said Lee.
Kaltenbach did not speak at Thursday’s Chapel as scheduled due to a family emergency. Campus minister Rich Aubry filled in for Haltenbach and spoke on Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Headline Photo: Lee (left) and Kaltenbach had a healthy conversation Tuesday afternoon in Seeger Chapel.