From Radical Lesbian to Redeemed Christian: A Story of Transformation

From Radical Lesbian to Redeemed Christian: A Story of Transformation

Rosaria Champagne Butterfield's story is a powerful testimony of God's transforming power. She was a tenured English professor at Syracuse University and a committed lesbian, who specialized in Queer Theory, a postmodern form of gay and lesbian studies. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she had a chance encounter with a pastor, which led her to examine the claims of Christianity and eventually become a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Beginning of the Journey

Rosaria's journey began when she was writing a book about the Religious Right and their opposition to gay and lesbian rights. She needed to understand the Christian perspective on homosexuality, and in her search for answers, she came across the writings of Pastor Ken Smith, who had written a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, which caught her attention.

Intrigued by the letter, Rosaria decided to write to Pastor Smith, and they began a correspondence that lasted for months. They exchanged letters, and Pastor Smith invited Rosaria to his home for dinner. Initially, she was hesitant, but eventually, she accepted the invitation.

At the dinner, Rosaria was struck by Pastor Smith's hospitality and kindness. She expected to be attacked for her beliefs, but instead, she found herself engaged in a deep and meaningful conversation about faith, life, and God. She was surprised by Pastor Smith's willingness to listen to her and his genuine concern for her well-being.

For the first time in her life, Rosaria experienced the love of Christ through the actions of a Christian. She was deeply moved by the encounter and began to question her assumptions about Christianity and its followers.

The Conversion

After her encounter with Pastor Smith, Rosaria began to read the Bible with fresh eyes. She was skeptical at first, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something different about this book. She was struck by the beauty of the language, the power of the stories, and the wisdom of the teachings.

As she continued to read, she began to see the world in a new light. She realized that she had been living her life in rebellion against God and that her lifestyle was incompatible with the teachings of the Bible. She was faced with a difficult decision: continue living as she had been, or surrender her life to God.

Rosaria describes her conversion as a painful and difficult process. She had to give up everything she had known and loved, including her career, her identity, and her relationship with her partner. It was a radical transformation that required a complete surrender to God's will.

But despite the challenges, Rosaria knew that she had found something worth giving up everything for. She had found a relationship with God that was deeper and more meaningful than anything she had ever experienced before. She had found forgiveness, love, and hope in a world that had previously seemed hopeless.

The New Life

After her conversion, Rosaria's life took a new direction. She left her career in academia and began a new life as a homemaker and wife of a Presbyterian pastor named Kent. They moved to Durham, North Carolina, where they started a family and a ministry to college students.

Rosaria's journey from radical lesbian to redeemed Christian has not been an easy one. She has faced criticism and rejection from both the LGBT community and the Christian community. However, she has found strength and comfort in the knowledge that she is following God's will for her life.

Today, Rosaria is a speaker, author, and advocate for biblical sexuality. She has written several books, including "The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert," which tells the story of her conversion, and "Openness Unhindered," which explores the biblical perspective on sexuality and gender.

The Lessons Learned

Rosaria's story teaches us several important lessons about the Christian life:

1. God can transform anyone

No matter how far we have strayed from God, no matter how deep our sin, God can transform us. Rosaria's story is a powerful reminder that God's grace is available to all who seek it.

As the Bible says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

2. Love is powerful

Rosaria's conversion was not the result of a theological argument or a persuasive sermon. It was the result of Pastor Smith's love and hospitality. His kindness and compassion opened the door for Rosaria to hear the gospel and respond to it.

As the Bible says, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

3. The Bible is powerful

The Bible played a central role in Rosaria's conversion. It was through reading the Bible that she came to understand the truth about God and herself. The Bible has the power to transform lives and bring people into a relationship with God.

As the Bible says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

4. Following Jesus requires sacrifice

Following Jesus is not always easy. It requires sacrifice and a willingness to give up everything for the sake of the gospel. Rosaria's story reminds us that following Jesus is worth the cost.

As the Bible says, "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)

The Conclusion

Rosaria's story is a powerful testimony of God's transforming power. It reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and that love and hospitality are powerful tools for sharing the gospel. It also reminds us that the Bible has the power to transform lives and that following Jesus requires sacrifice.

May we be inspired by Rosaria's story to share the gospel with love and compassion, to read the Bible with fresh eyes, and to follow Jesus with all our hearts.