Earlier this week, FRC had the distinct honor of hosting Rosaria Butterfield, author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey to Christian Faith and Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ for an encouraging and challenging lecture about post-Obergefell America: "How Sexual Orientation Became the Idol of Our Day and What Christians Need to Do About It." If you're unfamiliar with her powerful story, Dr. Butterfield was once a tenured professor of English at Syracuse University who identified as a lesbian and worked to advance the cause of LGBT equality. After her conversion to Christ in 1999, she came to see the sinfulness of having any identity apart from Him. She now writes about sexuality, identity, Christian community, and seeks to encourage all in faithful Christian living and service.
The recurring theme of Rosaria's presentation was that "by defining humanity according to sexual desire, we eliminate the image of God. Sexuality [in this age] has become the divine core of a person [instead of God's image]." Our response to this new idolatry must be to look past labels of sexual identity where we and our neighbors are concerned, and to acknowledge that we have all been called not to heterosexuality, but to "holy sexuality, in the form of either fidelity in matrimony or chastity in singleness."
Making a conscious choice to see our neighbors and ourselves as image-bearers of Christ first (rather than as defined by sexual identity) frees us to share the gospel with grace, truth, and authenticity. Take the time to view this special event and allow your heart to be challenged by Rosaria's refreshing perspective. You'll be glad you did.
