It was May of 2004. Keep in mind, that this is over 20 years ago. Cross-dressing was on the rise in Greenwich Village. Confronted with the text of Deuteronomy 22:5, I sought to understand why God feels so strongly about cross-dressing.
This turns out to be a ‘Part 1’ of a two-part message, this first part ending up applying to marriage. But you can tell, in the sermon, I am being forced to articulate some of the principles of gender that have become a hallmark of what I teach: How there is not something of who you are below your gender, how gender can only be defined in relation to the other gender; how the God Who saves feels so strongly about things that mess up His proclamation of redemption.
So gender matters.
I do make missteps. The sports joke didn’t seem to land so well.
By the way, before the sermon, we had a demonstration of jive dancing. During the message, I invite Hallie Greider, a woman in the congregation to give her thoughts on being a woman in an intergendered relationship. This gracious nonbeliever, who kindly agreed to talk about her jive dancing, attended the church with her believing husband.
As I mention, I also invited another woman, Lisa Taft, an exemplary woman in the congregation, to field questions with me after the service. They both did a tremendous job.
What are your thoughts about gender as a dance?
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Pastor Sam.
I love how serious you take the bible!! You do not apologize as you really believe and know that is it God’s love letter to us!! He really really loves us and that is why he has guidelines. My husband and I are square dancers, and I take part in “round dancing” some. Square dancing I know sometimes there are not enough gentlemen to do the male/lead part so I do it. It is fun but not the same as being a lady for others and my husband. Round dancing is done with just one other person. I again have done it my self (done around the room with one person). I have done it by myself but it is so…. much more fun to dance with a gentlemen. My husband has not learned how to do round dancing yet ( I did it with my father before he passed), it is similar to ball room dancing, and unfortunately we do not have any in Hays. Sometime we hope to do more of that as a couple. Presently I am teaching square dance lessons. I have a group of homeschool middle to high school students as well as a 30 year old and a 50 year old couple. We all are having great fun. I am leaning to be a caller so I have a long way to go but lessons is a great way to learn with them and then learn to call dances. I use a lot of Christian/gospel based music. In this way I try to share the good news of Jesus as well. God bless and keep up the eternally significangent work of sharing God’s word with gentleness….” I believe you do this very well: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 3:15
1 Peter
Jane, what a hoot! It is great that you are doing that dance instruction. I like the round dances where you do not pass your partner around, but stick with the same one throughout the dance. It is a great time with my sweetheart, and it always makes me think of how we are different and that differences makes a rich, rich experience. Keep it up!