Peter Gomes Claims the Promise of his Baptism
Peter Gomes delivered what I consider to be the best non-Disciples sermon at a General Assembly during my lifetime. Today, the New York Times reports on his death. Dr. Gomes noted that Disciples had something authentic to offer our culture if we would cease trying to be like everyone else. Dr. Gomes claimed the promises of his baptism. Well done good and faithful servant.
Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Harvard Minister, Dies at 68
By ROBERT D. McFADDEN
Published: March 1, 2011The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, a Harvard minister, theologian and author who announced that he was gay a generation ago and became one of America’s most prominent spiritual voices against intolerance, died on Monday in Boston. He was 68.
One can read into the Bible almost any interpretation of morality, Mr. Gomes liked to say after coming out, for its passages had been used to defend slavery and the liberation of slaves, to support racism, anti-Semitism and patriotism, to enshrine a dominance of men over women, and to condemn homosexuality as immoral.
He was a thundering black Baptist preacher and for much of his life a conservative Republican celebrity who wrote books about the Pilgrims, published volumes of sermons and presided at weddings and funerals of the rich and famous. He gave the benediction at President Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural and delivered the National Cathedral sermon at the inaugural of President George H. W. Bush.