Residents of Stephenville, Texas are furious that the local Tarleton State University planned to host a student performance of Terrence McNally’s 1998 play, “Corpus Christi.” The play presents a modern-day version of Jesus’ life and death in 1960s Corpus Christi, Texas, with a few “updates”: the apostles are all gay, Joseph is an alcoholic wife-beater, and Mary gives birth alongside a chorus of moaning men.
The production is a class project for student-director John Jordan Otte, who said in a written statement that he chose the play to “bring people together” and help gain acceptance for gay Christians, who he said often feel alienated from their churches. David Harris, preacher for the local Hillcrest Church of Christ, said, “At the end of the play [Jesus] is crucified with the moniker above his head as ‘King of the Queers.’” As of the date of this writing, the play is still scheduled to occur, but could be cancelled.
Children of God believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; Acts 8:37), and even confess this fact for the purpose of salvation (Romans 10:10). Christ is “before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17). Also, Christ was perfect and never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). The Bible says that homosexuality was an abominable sin during the Old Testament and is an abominable sin in the New Testament (Genesis 19:5, 7, 11; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7).
John wrote, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Gay “Christians” perhaps feel alienated because the people in those churches believe the scriptures and realize that homosexuals need to repent or be lost. The First Amendment gives its citizens the right to express themselves, but actions have consequences. If those who demean and degrade the Son of God do not repent, they will be judged.
Kyle Campbell
