You may have seen the news report. If not, you can read it here. Archbishop Tutu has said that he would opt out of heaven and choose to wander off to hell if God were a homophobic God.
His comments came within the context of campaigning for an end to homophobic violence. An important issue to address. For brutal mobs to murder or mutilate men because of their sexual preference is wrong - horribly, awfully wrong - and every effort should be made to stop the wanton violence that mars so many states in Africa. But his passionate comments about heaven and hell ... ? Let's take a closer look at them. In reality, he is saying something quite like this ...
Dear God, I'd like to analyse your character for a moment, if that's alright. I don't wish to be presumptuous but I'd like to check that your views fit with mine. You see, I live in the 21st century which might be a bit modern by your standards. We've worked out how the world is meant to be and it's important that you don't say or do anything to mess that up. In particular, I'd like to review your teaching on sexuality. It's the issue of today and we don't want you being all controversial...
I want you to know that my views on this subject are quite firm. There is no way I will tolerate any teachings that don't fit with mine. Even a hint of wayward doctrine from your heavenly throne and I'm off. When you call me home, I'll say "thanks but no thanks". I'll pass on the glories of heaven, bought at such a high price by your Son and offered to me through your loving grace, and opt for the eternal agonies of damnation. My life. My right to choose. And there's nothing you can do to stop me. Just thought you'd like to know where you stand...
It's not hard to spot the errors, the logical inconsistencies are glaring. In one simple sentence: he has forgotten the small matter of sovereignty.
And he's not the only person to have fallen into that trap.
As humans, many of us can get so passionate about a cause - a good cause - that we forget to submit to God's will and instead get carried away with our own rhetoric. For some it's politics, social justice, human rights, animal rights - the list is endless. A litany of good causes about which we get so zealous that humility and submission go out of the window. And in the process God is portrayed, to a lost world, as out-dated, weak-willed and easy to over-rule.
He is not that small!
In the words of the book of Job, his response to us when we treat him like that:
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" (Job 40:2)
We can praise God greatly that he isn't a homophobic God who condones mob violence. All are welcome to repent and believe in his Son. But we can also praise God for those aspects of his character that we find more difficult ... because if there is a difference of opinion between what God says and what we want, let's face it - it's unlikely to be us who are correct! We don't get to choose what's right and what's wrong. And we never will ...
