Let Love be the Judge
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Thomas Jay Oord Responds to Charges
and Pending Trial for Queer Affirmation

A commitment to love as a guiding ideal for life does not make for an easy path. This commitment often requires advocating for the full acceptance of people others want to shut out—queer people, for example. Advocacy brings resistance. Thomas Jay Oord, a prominent advocate for this inclusive approach, faces criticism from a church he loves for his stance. He has been charged with teaching doctrines contrary to the Church of the Nazarene. And he's charged with conduct unbecoming of a minister for his efforts to move the denomination to be fully affirming. Yet, it is precisely this unwavering commitment to love and acceptance, of queer people and all others, that rightly guides Christians and the Christian community. We may be put on trial for a commitment to love, but it is love, not hatred or exclusion, which is the proper judge. And it is the nature of love to open doors of acceptance, not close them, for our sake and for God's sake. 

- Jay McDaniel