In 1999 Ron Brown, current FCA State Director for Nebraska and former receivers’ coach at the University of Nebraska, was nationally criticized for speaking out about homosexuality as a sin during a Christian radio program. Two years later he was turned down an opportunity to continue interviewing for a coaching position at Stanford University. The university had researched the incident and disagreed with the comments he had made about homosexuality, thus retracting the offer for him to interview for the position. Continue reading to learn Brown’s view on speaking out about God’s view of homosexuality and how Christians should respond to someone struggling with the homosexual lifestyle.
Why are Christians often viewed as being judgmental for not supporting homosexuality?
This particular sin has become very heavily endorsed publicly. The public has embraced this particular sin and has generally said that it’s something we should support; that we think it’s an okay lifestyle. So when you attack it biblically you’re going to get criticized.
We’ve got to remember that [Christians] are playing an away game here on earth. Our home is heaven and the Bible is a book from heaven. So what we’re doing is we’re taking Christ’s message that is opposed to this world, and we’re speaking it in the pubic square. We’ve got to expect to get booed. And yet we’re called to take the dominant influence of Jesus Christ and permeate it throughout the culture and honor and reflect the truth of Jesus Christ. That’s got to be our response. We’re not to hide; as Jesus said, we’re to shine our light in the midst of darkness.
How should Christians respond to a homosexual teammate or player in the same locker room? I think Christians should love a homosexual teammate just like they would any other teammate. Let me tell you what else is in that locker room. There are thieves, liars, people who lust, people addicted to pornography, even some players who are alcoholics. There are all kinds of sinners in that locker room. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everybody in that locker room needs Jesus Christ, including that person who is living a gay lifestyle.
If you open the inside of every single person on the face of the earth, Christian or non-Christian, the heart would look pretty ugly. The only thing that really separates the two is that one group of people have decided to do their own thing and make up their own rules, and the other one has submitted to God’s plan. God came to the cross and died for our sins so that we can receive forgiveness, not because of what we deserve, not because of anything that we did, but because of what Christ did. That’s the only difference between Christians and non-Christians.
When you love God, it means you must love your neighbor as well. You don’t deny the truth, but in love and sensitivity you put your arms around that person struggling with homosexuality and you help walk him or her to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as you would any other player involved in any other sin.
What specific Bible verse would you suggest to anyone struggling with homosexuality?
Mathew 11:28-13 says, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yolk is easy and my burden is light.”
When you’re soul is not at rest, when you feel pain in your heart and when you’re running from God, this portion of scripture can be a source of comfort to any human being. 
