There are many challenges ahead for the Christian living in today’s world. The issue of homosexuality is probably one of the bigger challenges that we see on the horizon. The issue of homosexuality is one that can no longer be ignored or brushed aside by Christians. Homosexuality and the interpretation of this lifestyle has become a flashpoint in American politics. And, now, it has spilled over into the church big time.

We see the lawsuit recently brought about by an individual in Michigan against Zondervan Publishing Company over the way I Corinthians 6:9 has been interpreted in the Bibles they print. The lawsuit is for $60, 000, 000. The suit contends that the Pastor of a local church preached a sermon some 20 years ago using this verse and during the course of his sermon, the Pastor made references to homosexuality that have, in turn, caused this individual emotional pain and suffering over the last 20 years. The suit contends that Zondervan Publishing Company printed Bibles that misinterpreted that scripture.

What I am writing about is not conjecture or hypothesis, it is fact, and this lawsuit is now in the system of the U.S. District Court of Michigan. This reality is upon us and the church had best wake up and understand the ramifications of such a thing. First of all, courts at the U.S. District level are extremely powerful and issues that are not resolved in these courts often make it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

At this point, I have to say “Somebody pinch me and tell me that I am not living in the 1950’s, in a Communist country. Somebody tell me that this whole idea of such a lawsuit is preposterous and will go nowhere.” Unfortunately, now that you’ve had time to think about it, you know that you really cannot guarantee that this lawsuit won’t get traction in the courts. I cannot imagine that it will, but, in today’s political climate, I can’t say for sure.

The thesis of this lawsuit is so pervasive and all-encompassing it is breathtaking. In one stroke of the brush, the Constitutional Doctrine of Religious Freedom in the United States, as we have known it, is in jeopardy of being eliminated. There are several things to consider at this point.

First, the most cherished freedom of being able to interpret the Bible as you choose, is at stake. The basis of this lawsuit centers on what is perceived as a misinterpretation by the publisher. And, it centers on a “so-called” misuse of that misinterpretation that occurred some 20 years ago. Does this now mean, that if I as a Pastor, preach a sermon in which I state my personal conviction and interpretation about a certain passage of scripture that I can be sued by someone sitting in the congregation who can claim that I have misinterpreted that particular passage of scripture. Furthermore, who will decide if I have or have not interpreted correctly? Maybe the “religion police”?

Is it possible that the U.S. Court system would force Zondervan to stop printing Bibles that interpret the particular verse in question in the way they have been, and force Zondervan to print Bibles with the translation the courts deem appropriate (politically correct)? Far-fetched you say. But, this is exactly what this lawsuit is focused on. Then, the next lawsuit may say “Hey, you know what, let’s just don’t print any more Bibles at all”. Far-fetched you say. Then, simply study the recent history of Communism.

To expand on this principle, one can see a hypothesis in which the family members of the victims of 9/11 could say “The misinterpretation of certain verses by the publishers of the Koran, resulted in the events of 9/11.” Therefore, a suit could be initiated against those publishers for the loss of life and trauma that occurred on that day. Or, a married couple whose marriage is composed of a Christian and a Jew could sue a Pastor on the basis that he preached a sermon about being unequally yoked and therefore, his sermon has caused “anxiety and stress of life”. Or, a Jehovah’s Witness could sue the Watchtower Society over the loss of Christmastime because he or she didn’t get to experience Christmastime the way other children did.

You may be saying at this point, that what I am describing would be utter chaos in the court system and even dangerously threaten the stability of our society in general. That is exactly what I am saying. It would literally turn into “king of the hill” and whatever religious group could gain control of the court system, wins. This is exactly what we see in other countries around the world and there is no end to the turmoil and fighting.

So, the court system of the United States is now faced with exactly this type of scenario. As an American Christian you can not pretend this doesn’t affect you. I know that, up to this point, we have had the luxury of not dealing with issues like homosexuality if we choose not to. But, that day is over with. Whether you believe homosexuality is a sin or not, what this lawsuit is targeting is freedom of religion, not just a mere grievance.

Publish Date: September 10, 2008

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