One tendency of false teachers is not to be transparent about what they believe and why. For years, Evangelical Dark Web has been documenting the rise of Preston Sprinkle for being the leading theologian for Side B Theology, a doctrine that teaches that homosexual (and transvestite) desires and identity are not sinful. Thus, Sprinkle and other Side B theologians view “being gay” as a morally neutral category.
1) I don’t like the very term “Side B” (vs. “Side A”). It makes it sound like there are two equal views of marriage that people can simply pick from. I’d say that there’s the historically Christian view of marriage (one man and one woman), and then there are recent, mostly western challenges to this (namely, same sex marriage), which I (and the historic, global church) consider to be sexual immorality and false teaching.
(2) “Side B” is a broad category that includes various perspectives on many things. Some of the diverse voices who consider themselves “Side B” I’d agree with on some/many things. Others I would not (e.g. some perspectives on so-called celibate partnerships; whether or not traditional marriage is a primary issue [I believe it is]; use of some identity terms; certain perspectives on transgender-related questions; among others). So, calling me “Side B,” a label I do no ascribe to, inaccurately projects on me everything “Side B” people believe.
In short, it’s more intellectually responsible (and honest) to interact with my specific beliefs, rather than illogically argue: (a) here’s why “Side B” is wrong, (b) Preston is “Side B,” (c) therefore Preston is wrong.
The irony here is that if Preston Sprinkle is not a believer in Side B Theology, why has he been the leading advocate for it? He has books, conferences, and an entire 501c3 ministry dedicated to proliferating this abhorrent theology. And there is no longer any equal to Sprinkle in this regard. His Exiles In Babylon conference for two years now has easily surpassed Revoice in relevance even with much of the same speakers. Before it was Preston Sprinkle doing a pre-conference event at Revoice, which used to be the leading figurehead ministry for Side B Theology.
Preston Sprinkle’s objection to being labeled Side B is that he does not agree with everything that other Side B theologians adhere to. Side A theology is a full affirmation of sodomy, but any affirmation of the desires or identity is a compromise, one that Sprinkle adheres to. Just because he’s not as gay affirming as Grant Hartley does not make him suddenly free of a theology he is most famous for having.
There is a bright side to this development. Side B Theology has been successfully branded as bad theology to the point where one of its leading advocates has rejected the label.
3 Responses
“Side A theology is a full affirmation of sodomy, but any affirmation of the desires or identity is a compromise, one that Sprinkle adheres to.”
Uhm typo? Is that supposed to be Side B ?
Christ clearly taught that lusting is a sin (adultery). Granted, the example is lusting after a woman (Matthew 5:28), but the context is that he is teaching his disciples, who are all male. So the principle is that the mental act of lusting is the equivalent of the physical act of adultery.
Calling it Side B is like trying to make Fetch a thing. Just call it gay.
Also, as someone who grew up in the 80s, I object to cassette tapes being brought into this.