I appreciate the clear outline of your thinking in these two articles but I would like to point out some things.
In the first article, someone asked why you think Newsweek made these claims and you stated: "One thing I never do is input motive." I liked what you said here because it is too easy to get bogged down in being defensive and feeling as if everyone has it out for us, Christians. But in the last paragraph of this your second article on the subject, you input motive, stating:
"Here was the apparent strategy. Begin by trying to neuter the Bible’s value to speak to the issue. Do so by ignoring the context of what the Bible presents. Leave the impression it has nothing to say or is woefully outdated, and all the modern world has to say on the topic is far more valuable and profound. Then the way is clear to go in the direction you advocate. Call it all reporting—or at least leave that impression."
While I do not believe that this article was excellent reporting on Newsweek's part, I don't think we can easily say that they had a certain strategy of attack on scripture. Doesn't this input motive?
I was also wondering what you thought about civil unions and the rights that are denied if a homosexual couple cannot be married. What is a good Christian response to those?
In all honesty, Newsweek highlights some of the very questions I have and while they did not report both sides well they have touched a deep nerve in the church and in my own soul on what scripture says concerning homosexuality.