The first assignment for this class was to list six cultural issues, which are in conflict with traditional Christianity. I listed the following issues, The Church, abortion, homosexuality, greed, divorce, marriage, and adultery. After listing theses, I wrote a little something about each one.

Church:  It is my belief that the Church is the people who are believers in Christ. I feel that the houses of worship are losing the traditional teachings of
Christianity. Conflicting beliefs is a major problem in our culture today. The issues that face the Church today are at the very core of our society. I feel that the traditional teachings of the Bible are mired, in interpretations that are widely debated. This places a complex burden on how to deal with the issues of today.

Abortion:
                Having first hand knowledge of this ill-fated practice has the Church divided over rights of human’s versus God’s gift of life. I now know to take a life in this manner is not our right. The discussion in class on this topic was very emotional and united against abortion.
           The biblical ethic upholds the dignity and worth of every human being, regardless of the state of development or physical dependency, from the moment of conception until natural death, the life-of-the-mother position is consistent with this position. The Christian community should endorse such a position both in personal practice and in public policy, and back it up with tangible spiritual, emotional, and financial help for women who are facing difficult pregnancies. (Evangelical Ethics)

Homosexuality;
                 This debate attacks the moral fiber of humanity I refer to Romans 1:24 which states. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. (The Holy Bible KJV)
The research conversation, that homosexuality is not a medical condition, but perhaps a socially learned one, turned out to be a very lively debate in class. Our class discussion about various areas, of how homosexuality touches our lives was controversial.
The legal aspect of, homosexual’s granted civil rights under the law caused for some a rise in temperature. Even though this is a debate, the case for equality across the broad, for homosexuals will be faced.  
The denial of legal sanction and societal approval for homosexual behavior does not imply that Christians should condone to encourage the deliberate entrapment, harassment, or persecution of practicing homosexuals.
The homosexual, like every other citizen, has rights of due process, but these legitimate rights do not extend to the societal legitimation of any and every form of sexual behavior.
The role the Christians church should play is not to support confused notions of “civil rights” in this area. The Church needs to be bold and clear in teaching of the Bible and its wisdom confirmed by history. Sharing the message of hope and promise with homosexuals of a new life through Jesus Christ, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit brings about change.  (Evangelical Ethics)

To follow the path of truth is understanding along the way the Love shared with us. Meaning an issue such as homosexuality, which is an abomination to God, can be     dealt with through the love of Jesus Christ. To love another as Jesus loves us is the key.
Greed:
          The root of all evil is present in every sector of culture today. Even in the houses of worship; building mega churches a symbol of money, power, for the purpose of glorifying God. My thought is if the money used to build these wondrous places of worship, where used to help those in need what better way to honor The Father.

Divorce and Marriage:
                               In today’s culture of what I call the disposal attitude, this is a direct assault on families. This is in danger and affects all areas of life. Western culture has a major influence on the world stage, our actions do matter. In class we had a discussion on divorce and remarriage. It was seen by a rising of hands in class, how divorce touches us all. Divorce in Gods eyes is wrong, however is forgiven if indeed the sins are repented. Christians seeking forgiveness and making restitution to those involved may remarry.
Adultery:
                            A problem that has crossed over in to the very core of the church, touching pulpits across the land. This was an issue that the majority of the class related to. The fact for me is our sinful nature that leads to the act of adultery. For if we knew “Love” the act of dishonoring the union of marriage would not be an option.
These are the issues I felt that conflicted with traditional Christianity, some we have discussed as noted. This class has been an eye opener for me as to what lies ahead for a Minster of God. Also a deeper understanding in my heart, mind and soul, love is a growing relationship with Christ Jesus, and I have a lifetime of growing to do.  There where two discussions that got under my skin as the saying goes. Crime and punishment and homosexuality; I understand to deal with these requires “God’s Love!” and is what I will focus on.
                                  
                                    Crime and Punishment   
As a father, with a daughter I recall having a conversation that provoked this response. “If a crime was committed against my daughter and I knew without a doubt who did it. On the way out the door, I would call the police and pray they got there before I did.” So still maintaining this attitude, I now know why I was bothered by the class discussion.   
The scriptural reading for capital punishment is found in Genesis 9: 6, Whoso sheddeth man‘s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (The Holy Bible KJV)  
As I have often heard if a man takes a life unjustly, then that man should forfeit his life. In a case where one is found guilty within our justice system, without a doubt his life should be taken. This is what I believed and stood by for a long time. I made a statement that one could forgive without love. There were several comments made which debated my statement, which led me to rethink what I had said.
 I have chosen to seek and speak God’s truth in my life and share it with others. So this was a subject that took a lot of praying, reading and soul searching. Can you truly forgive a person who has taken the life of a loved one?  Well before I could answer this question for myself I needed to understand forgiveness. Looking up forgive I found; to cease to feel resentment against, forgiveness; disposition or willingness to forgive (Dictionary)

It became clear to me that the statement I made was worldly. True forgiveness can only be given from those that love God.

When you enter a loving relationship with Jesus, you begin to see all people through His eyes.  He loved us all and gave his life for the forgiveness of our sins. So to forgive one who has harmed us is done through the love of Jesus. To forgive in the worldly state of mind is to hide resentment deep inside, a lie behind close doors if you will. From my point of view if one commit’s a crime of murder, and the death penalty is imposed so be it.
                                               Homosexuality
 The first reference to homosexuality in the Bible is found in Genesis 19: 1-11, where Lot entertained the two angels sent to Sodom to investigate the outcry against the sins of that city and Gomorrah. Lot received the angels into his house, and at evening the men of the city surrounded the house and demanded to see his visitors. “Where are the men who came to you tonight?” Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” (Evangelical Ethics)
Another story of homosexuality is found in Judges 19. A Levite traveling with his mistress spent the night in the town of Gibeah, accepting the hospitality of an elderly man, was in for the night. That evening the house was surrounded by men with evil intentions. They told the elderly man, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.” (Judges 19:22 KJV)
For this cause God gave them upto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. (Romans 1: 26-27 KJV)
The word to “know” is debated for its meaning in the context of the scriptures. D.S. Bailey argues that the demand to know the strangers was nothing more than wanting to get acquainted.  Where Christian and Jewish scholars agree it is a clear reference to homosexuality.(Evangelical Ethics)
 
In the 70’s, my late teens and early twenties were spent in California, specifically in the Bay Area.  I grew up sexually during that time following a saying “don’t knock it until you try it.”  The experience at that time was done in a worldly body, even though I knew the Lord. The sporadic homosexual encounters where committed under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and ended with a feeling of guilt. Having a strong heterosexual drive, and married to my wife going on twenty six years, I am thankful for a loving and forgiving God.
 
Homosexuality from my point of experience is a socially induced orientation. The saying “don’t knock it until you try it.” opened the door to a culture of gaiety without a care. For those that where looking for an identity of self, during the 70’s the gay community was open. Spending hours talking with groups and individuals I found, the entrapment of the homosexual lifestyle was daring to be different. I often wondered why I walked that path; truth is I had no direction, no care.
Sharing this experience of my youth, only with my wife, this class has allowed me to purge in words the deed of abomination against God. It has also helped to free the guilt of this action, by understanding what was locked away. The best part is accepting the forgiveness within. As I continue my walk of faith, I shed the old skin daily which opens doors of humility and thankfulness. I enjoyed the class as well as your instruction.
                                             
                                                References
Davis J.J. (2004). Evangelical Ethics. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing,      
Company,  P.O. Box 817, Phillips burg, New Jersey 08865  
   The Holy Bible, King James Version, Thomas Nelson Bibles
The Random House College Dictionary