Jennifer Knapp comes out to a deeper discussion hopefully.

One of my favorite artists as a twenty year old was Jennifer Knapp. I loved her deep, thought provoking lyrics and her amazing guitar ability. In the early 2000s she announced that she was leaving the music biz for awhile. That is when the rumors came out about her being gay. Yet, no statement came out from her about it. Then she announced that she was writing music again.

I was saddened when I read the Christianity Today interview a couple of weeks ago, and revealed that she was gay. I recently read the Relevant Magazine post (which you can read by clicking on the title of my blog post). A lot of comments were that she said a lot of nothing. That she avoided the questions and she didn't go into too much depth about her beliefs and what made her choose this life.

In regards to the "saying nothing by saying a lot" mentality that a lot of the posts point to is a judgment that came too quick. Josh (who conducted the interview) did a great job on the interview, and that Jennifer is sort of coming at this as something she has accepted in her life, but is still trying to figure out what to do next.

Even though I still believe that Homosexuality is a sin, I am reminded of my own sins. Just like I believe lying is a sin or stealing or neglecting someone who is not like you or me is a sin. There are no categories of sin, which one is worse than the other. As a follower of Christ, it is not my place to judge, only to guide and direct them to the Savior, and then to walking beside them every step of the way. To love those like Christ loves us is what we are commanded to do (for those who are followers of Christ) as brothers and sisters. No matter what their station in life may be. Even if they live a lifestyle that is contrary to what I believe.

My prayer is that we who are Christians will take this opportunity and be an encouragement to Jennifer and to pray for her in her seeking the truth. To lift her up in prayer, is that what we are all called to do for each other?

I would love for this discussion to continue, so what do you think about this issue? Do you struggle with it being a sin? How do you attempt to understand it? How do you love the sinner and not the sin? Can you do that?