Harsh new rules have just been approved by the parliament of the Australian state of Victoria, banning conversion practices relating to sexuality.
The parliament has made illegal practices that have been part of Christian religion since the start of the church.
What does the law say a pastor should do if asked for guidance on matters of sexuality? What does God say? Pastors have questions on what the law says in regards to teaching in church, in small home groups and 1:1, and on how evangelical pastors respond in love to people with questions about personal sexuality.
And significantly when and how should Victorian pastors and Christians obey God and disobey their government?
The Australian Presbyterian Moderator General Rev Peter Barnes has written to congregations saying:
"The Apostle [Paul] considered himself innocent of the blood of all because he proclaimed the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27). We are obliged before God to preach all that He has revealed to us, whether law or gospel, and to do so in a spirit of love and truth.
"There is nothing unique in such legislation. When King Darius exceeded his God-given authority, Daniel did ‘as he had done previously’ (Dan.6:10).
"It is our task to keep on keeping on, to proclaim and to live out so far as we can the gospel of Christ which has been entrusted to us. "
Our guests are Neil Foster, the Associate Professor of Law at Newcastle University, Peter Barnes, the moderator general of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, and Heath Easton, pastor of Drouin Presbyterian Church, just to the east of Warrigul in regional Victoria.
See 'Collision of laws: the impact of Commonwealth law on the Victorian CSP law' by Neil Foster
See 'Victoria's Conversion Practices Bill is as bad as they say it is' by Neil Foster
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