According to “Calif. MB congregation suspended over LGBTQ-affirming proposal” (Nov. 26), the church council of the Willow Avenue Mennonite Brethren congregation cited this biblical rationale as they recommended full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people: “Jesus’ radical love and embrace of all, without reservation, and the Bible’s mandate to love neighbors, including the marginalized.” Hopefully, they also said more than that. Yes, a major biblical theme is welcome and hospitality, and a church that fully includes those in same-sex partnerships is following that biblical theme. However, if the historic understanding of Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 is correct — that Paul had all same-sex relationships in view in those sin lists — then the church will not bless same-sex marriages or credential the pastoral gifts of people in such marriages. God does not call us to welcome the marginalized in a way that blesses what Scripture calls sin. Thus one would hope that the Willow Avenue church council also carefully sought to show why they disagree with what the larger MB body has agreed that Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 say.

Harold N. Miller, Broadway, Va.