Grace AND Truth: Responding to OneGeorgeFox

I've always been more of a truth-follower. Black and white. Having an ever-present moral compass. Ask people in high school. I was good at following rules but not so good at being gracious when I disagreed with others. Living this way has put me at odds with our culture, which is much more focused on one aspect of grace: acceptance. 'Let's all be open minded'.

But Jesus mastered both: true grace and love AND often unpopular truth.
John 1:14 and 17

He would not compromise truth for being gracious or loving but he was not heartless either. (Overturning tables in the temple because people were making 'church' a financial venture. Unpopular truth. And saving the woman from being stoned to death because of adultery. Grace. Confronting the 'regilious people' for being arrogant and not truly seeking God. Unpopular truth. And asking God to forgive his murderers while they were torturing him. Grace.)

Why does this matter right now?

Many of you have heard about the gay and lesbian George Fox alums who have put together a website onegeorgefox.org.

A few weeks back I wrote them this letter. It never got published on their site. Nor did I get a response. I hope you sense my effort to love while still being faithful to what I believe is moral truth found in the Bible. I am fully aware that only God knows the absolute truth for certain. The best I can do is seek it and humbly live in obedience to what I believe he wants.

As you read my letter, would you think about this question: Can I love well and authentically, and it be received, without compromising what I believe is true?

I lean towards thinking our culture is intolerant of a love that doesn't conform but you know what assuming does...


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Hi OneGeorgeFox members

When I heard about this group, I was encouraged. I went to George Fox. And do believe God's intent was for marriage to be between man and woman. However...

I don't hate. I don't argue. I don't scoff. I talk. I listen. I love authenticity. Let's be real with one another. Even about hard stuff. Even if we disagree. But let's engage one another.

Which is why I was glad to hear about this site.

When I visited and read through the letter, and stories, I became discouraged.

If your purpose was to dialogue, I support you. If your purpose was to share love, I support you. If your purpose was to be heard and understood, I support you. If you purpose was to spread awareness of issues of love/respect at George Fox, I support you.

If your purpose is to change the core beliefs of this place to say homosexuality is not a sin, then you are asking an institution to make a decisions that is in direct conflict with the convictions it has embraced (which is believed to be based from the Word of God).

Have your voice. I will listen. So will others. It's my hope that all respond in love and we learn from one another.

However, students with many beliefs and with many different opinions on social issues choose GFU fully aware of the lifestyle agreement (including GFU's stance on homosexuality).

Does that mean they should try to change the institution itself to reflect their values and opinions?

I believe not. I think George Fox is committed to it's believes and convictions because it believes they're foundational from the Word of God. (This is my opinion. I don't intend to actually speak on behalf of the University).

Can we love better? Yes. Can we learn how to disagree without condemning? Yes. Can we better understand one another? Yes.

I hope that, even if people disagree with your agenda to change this Christian Institution's core beliefs (specifically homosexuality), we can learn from this to approach one another in love and grace. Despite our sexual orientation. Despite our theological differences.

God is the ultimate judge on these matters, not I. And He is the best example of love.

Amy (Endicott) Wolff
Communication Arts Undergraduate Student- 2005