Where’s Dolly?
Some “Christians” are coming out of the woodwork to guard the entrance to heaven and to make sure Dolly goes to hell.
Now, I knew without looking that they condemned her because she didn’t hate LGTBQ people and if you don’t hate who some folks think you ought to hate, they want you to burn forever while they sip non alcoholic mint juleps and watch Kirk Cameron movies in heaven.
Let me be as clear as I can be here…I’m not a supporter of the LGBTQ+ cause.
I can’t find a way to do so in either scripture or tradition.
I don’t have any hate for them…I don’t really understand them or their issues and try to deal with people as individuals, not as a group.
The thing that I know also is that nothing here presently resembles the perfection of the initial creation and that in a fallen, broken world…everything and everyone is broken to a degree.
I was born broken physically and life broke the rest of me…so it is entirely possible (and even probable )that some folks are born with a broken sexuality.
I think Dolly knew that as well…and heeded the command to love one another as Jesus has loved us…in and despite of our brokenness.
She might have been wrong, but she was wrong for the right reason.
When I write these “defenses” of people that the church rejects, I can’t help but remember all I’ve seen over the last forty years I’ve been actively in the church.
The spousal and child abuse, the emotional abuse, the adultery, the rigging of finances, the lying and the trophy wives discarded.
That was just the pastors…many of whom are still reviling me even in my twilight years.
But, most of them didn’t engage in homosexual acts…so there is the whipping boy.
According to hundreds of testimonies online what this woman did… was love.
That is the highest requirement in the Scriptures…and love covers a multitude of sins.
Few people in our lifetimes have fulfilled Matthew 25 to the degree she did.
To conclude…I’m looking forward to meeting her someday…wherever she is…because she was a far better person than I am.
Make your own application…
Here is the opposing viewpoint…
Dolly was lovely. What’s really great is that despite all the negativity, she will always be remembered for her love, generosity, and compassion.
The arrogant skeptics can (and will) make as many videos and social media posts as they can to somehow shame her life, her Christianity, and her motivations. So what?
The truth is that no one on this earth gets to say who is and who isn’t a Christian. That comes from the Lord alone and thankfully, He has never needed our opinion on that.
And like you, Michael, I look forward to meeting her one day. She’s been a role model for me for a long time. I’d like to let her know that.
There is a big difference between loving LGBTQ+ folks vs doing what they choose to do (just like it’s different to engage lustful thought s than actually engage in adultery, which doesn’t even seem to be a problem in many evangelical churches of today). I have friends who are a lesbian couple, a gay physical therapist, and a few other such odd acquaintances. I am friendly, open about my faith, and I pray for them. That is what I can do. Obviously they need Jesus (just like all those adulterous pastors out there), but, if I understand Matt. 28:19-20 correctly, they will only know if real Christians share the gospel with them.
Sorry for sounding a bit sarcastic, but the church laser focuses on one sexual sin, and totally skips over the others. They even put pastors back into the pulpit who really should be permanently disqualified from ministry, if I read the Scriptures correctly. We are missing an entire group of people who really needs the gospel.
As for Dolly, she at least reached out. And, being in the entertainment field, she probably knew many people with all kinds of presents and pasts. But she loved them. And, she showed what a healthy relationship looks like by being faithful to her husband for 60+ years.
Laura Figueroa-Scott,
She should have been a role model for her critics…
“Sorry for sounding a bit sarcastic, but the church laser focuses on one sexual sin, and totally skips over the others.”
That’s not sarcasm, that’s truth!
Since Jesus didn’t say anything about LGBTQ I’m certainly not going to use it as the litmus test for heaven. Since the Bible says love is kind and it isn’t angry, that might be a better litmus test. The Bible says more against lobsters than homosexuality.
Dave,
Well said about the litmus tests..
“The Bible says more against lobsters than homosexuality.’
Quote of the month… 🙂
John 5:22
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Since that’s the Father’s position, shouldn’t we be wise and do likewise?
He said some become universalists in appication. I have no problem saying I am a universalist and open theist in application if not in creed. I have many reasons for this but one of the very best reasons is listening the above video. On other observation from the cheep seats if Dolly Parton was outside the camp, many in management are in big trouble. This is another reason I lean on universalism.
Brian,
I lean that way myself…and you’re right about management…
I sometimes watch Justin Peters. He’s good at calling out cults and false teachers. He should’ve stayed in his lane with this one.
All those concerned with pinpointing Dolly Parton as inside or outside the Christian camp should go and reread the story about the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, and let God take care of God’s concerns (For those who try to make this story protect the border between insiders and outsiders by saying “the least of these” are Christians, reread even closer: since Jesus is throwing up in the air the whole matter of whether those who identify as his followers are actually his followers, defining “the least of these” as those who self-identify as Christian does not protect the borders of the Christian camp from “outsiders” actually being inside, and “insiders” actually being outside).
In addition, the whole idea that the passage about sheep and goats refers to a judgment of nations, not individuals, for how they treated “the least of these” is absurd. The New Testament is very clear: in the last judgment we are judged individually, not by group. It seems that many pious folk will do everything they can to make this passage not say what it clearly says.
But really I”m wrong: at the Last Judgment we are not judged as nations or individuals, but as those whom Jesus Christ stands before as the “Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”
Robert F,
Well said…I will add that this judgment is based on works…
Oh good grief.
First off, while I occasionally appreciate some of the “discernment” stuff online (although quality and consistency varies wildly) – part of discernment is learning how to pick your battles with wisdom and grace.
No one is going to take you seriously about the craziness at IHOP and Bethel if you’re whining about Dolly Freakin’ Parton the moment she dies. Likewise, No one will believe The Passion Translation is a pile of nonsense if you treat Beth Moore with the same contempt….
Michael,
Yes, but the judge is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, which means that I’m a hopeful universalist, and that hope involves the sovereignty of God, of Christ, over all the dimensions of both this life and postmortem existence that we cannot see. Our works will be judged, but Christ stands with us in the docket with his own works that are infinite as our defense, and bearing the sin of the world.
The thing I found concerning about Dolly was that she described her marriage as being somewhat open.
I’m concerned with pastors who find it necessary to speak in ways about Parton that they’d probably not speak if they were in the presence of her close family and friends after her passing. Why the need to jump on-line and point out her faults is beyond me.
Dave,
not Jesus words but Romans 1 is clear, also keep in mind Jesus was an Israelite and the torah was also explicit against the sin of homosexuality, Leviticus 18
Joel,
When a public figure passes, it’s pretty common for people to review both their accomplishments and their foibles. Everyone is human.
all the so-called ‘judges’ lack the one necessary ability–to look upon the heart. Their scales of deeds and ‘fruit’ are weighted with all sorts of bias and blindness, mostly tilted to their own benefit. I’ll assume the One fit to judge will do so well.
Meanwhile, the example of Parton is inspiring and wide reaching. She lived a storybook life.
Fair enough, PH. I guess I’m thankful I’m not a public figure because my list of foibles is long and accomplishments very short.
I find myself wondering, whatever happened to Grace?
DaveP,
Good points.
Mine too, Joel, mine too.
Honest, I wasn’t trying to drag her. Just more of a response to current events.
I misunderstood, PH. I’m sorry about that. I know you’ve a good a good heart based on comments over the years.
Here’s a general take on this from a friend…
https://www.neuroemergenttherapy.org/post/the-privacy-of-kings-why-our-culture-of-total-exposure-is-breaking-us
Joel, no I certainly set things up to be misunderstood. There’s a reason people say, “Too soon, too soon!” when it comes to offering commentary after a tragedy.
Dolly Parton was a class act.
I don’t give a rat’s @ss what her politics or her sexual mores were.
One thing for sure, Dolly Parton never piled on someone when they were down and the rest of the world was piling on. She refused to condemn people, she refused to join in mobbing or shaming anyone. In this age of mob action framed as virtue, she was a rarity; whether or not one believes she was a Christian by the criteria one has for making that determination she deserves in death to be treated the way she treated others: with respect and kindness and nonjudgment. If some Christians can’t even do that much, then they should question their own bona fides, not hers.