An overview of the arguments on homosexuality within the church community
Pagan/nonbiblical condemnation of homosexual conduct
Contrary to the belief of a great majority of Christians, the Bible contains a wealth on knowledge on the spiritual and physical conditions of homosexuality. As Christians, sometimes we tend to selectively study the Bible on passages which address conditions in our own sphere of circumstances, and then depend on others to “fill us in” on the issues and challenges which do not affect us.
Perhaps it is a human weakness, but it nonetheless ill prepares us for situations which are steadily marching onto the center stage of society.
The larger question one might ask is that, if the Bible truly does contain much more than we know about homosexuality, then what does one do with this knowledge? The scriptures teach that carnal knowledge produces a prideful spirit and urges Christians to avoid it at all costs. (1 Corinthians 8:1).
However, knowledge is not to be shelved as some out of date relic either. True knowledge empowers, lifts and enlightens and confirms. What must be understood is that the source of that true knowledge is Jesus.
“Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18
The purpose of gaining Biblical knowledge, and in this instance, about homosexuality should always be to aid in the redemption of individuals caught in it’s deceptive grasp. We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.
When the Word of God is rightly divided and applied with love, it’s knowledge will produce salvation. Conversely, when it is wielded as a weapon against people (Eph 6:12) it will ultimately destroy that which was meant to be restored.
Therefore, the unifying theme of the scriptures is that God always condemns the sin (actions or behavior), but never condemns the sinner (the person). What we know is that Jesus came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it. Using this solid truth as a basis, we explore both the well known and well quoted as well as the obscure and unmentioned.
Questioning Debates
The intense debate about homosexuality simply refuses to die. Like the horror movie characters “Jason” and “Freddy Krueger”, it just keeps coming back. The year 2003 saw the free election, ordination and consecration of an openly acknowledged (“out”) homosexual bishop in a major American Christian denomination. As apostate as it might be, it nonetheless reflects the tenacious efforts of homosexuals in religion who seek to raise the issue to the highest levels of attention. And like it or not, we must deal with it!
While the questions themselves mutate, so do the characters who force their discussion. Homosexuals of every stripe are rediscovering religion and learning that tearing down the walls of that last perceived bastion of exclusion will be quicker if done from the inside.
This ongoing theological debate can be summed up with two pivotal questions:
Does homosexuality equal sin? Are the Biblical passages addressing homosexuality valid and applicable in contemporary culture?
For Christians, although we may be tempted to say that we are unilaterally opposed to homosexuality, the truth is we possess pluralistic views. Those views extend to both extremes of belief, hence the merry-go-round cause and effect.
The answer to the above questions would depend completely on how well we “rightly divide the word of truth.” And unless one is able to apply truth with love-based motivation and compassion, the lesson merely becomes an abstract; devoid of it’s redemptive healing power.
Homosexuals and their supporters have increased and intensified their argumentative profile by boldly asserting that homosexuality is not a sin, but rather a gift from God to be celebrated. Secondly, they propose that the Bible passages have either been misinterpreted or do not apply to a modern understanding of “loving, monogamous, consensual relationships.” Further, they believe that Jesus’ alleged New Testament silence is tantamount to consent and approval.
For those who embrace a conservative view of sexuality, such arguments seem insane, yet many are convinced of their “truthfulness.”
The discussions are near cutthroat. Religious gays have pulled out all the stops including using the academic, medical and psychological experts to bolster such erroneous statements. Exgay apologist Joe Dallas expands on gay theology and more in his book “A Strong Delusion: Confronting the Gay Christian Movement.”
Prominent self-identified homosexual Christians such as Troy Perry, Mel White, Carl Bean, Yvette Flunder and Rev. Peter Nomes state God accepts them as they are. Gay affirmative black religious figures such as Revs James Forbes, Kenneth Samuels and Jeremiah Wright offer the same reasoning based on a faulty premise.
Using examples of Bible characters King David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, these revisionists unashamedly paint pictures of homoerotic relationships while simultaneously asserting that such relationships are a “gift from God.”
Such people can be compared to the wayward priests and prophets in Isaiah 28, who were “drunk with strong wine and therefore gave the people false vision and stammering judgments.”
Some have erroneously claimed that Jesus approved of homosexuality through his eunuch teaching (Mt 19:12). The key to understanding what Christ meant is to know that eunuchs and homosexuals are two entirely different groups of people. Eunuchs were men who for several reasons did not have sexual genitals. This excluded them from engaging in sex! Surely a person who cannot have sex would not at all be considered homosexual if they could not engage in the activities. Likewise, we would not label someone a thief if they had never stolen.
Religious homosexuals insist that Jesus was referring to them in this passage, but a glaring question remains. If Jesus did imply that eunuchs were homosexuals, how do they explain the absence of female eunuchs?
In order to accept these preposterous claims, we would have to also accept that God himself is confused about his intent for sexuality. That the Bible has endured as a perpetual legacy of the truth of God is within itself more that enough evidence, however what seems to be at the heart of this divisive issue is: Did God really create homosexuals? If He did, then those who oppose homosexuality will have to recant and repent. If He did not, millions of people may end up eternally separated from God because they have believed one of the most cleverly crafted lies of all times. This is, clearly a major crossroad of choice for the church of the 21st century.
More Than You Know: A complete reference guide to what you need to know about homosexuality from God's Word
NAVIGATION
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Pictured at right: Etruscan symposium in a fresco from a tomb wall-painting from Cereveteri, depicting a youth
refusing the advances of his neighbour on a symposium couch
"In the beginning , human life obeyed the laws made by nature; and men, linking themselves to women...became fathers of children. But gradually the passing years degenerated from such nobility to the lowest depths of hedonism...The same sex entered the same bed. Though they saw themselves embracing each other, they were ashamed neither at what they did not at what they had done to them. And sowing their seed on barren rocks, to quote the proverb, they brought little pleasure at the cost of great disgrace." Psuedo-Lucian, Affiairs of the Heart Lucian, a native of Samosata on the Euphrates, was born around 120 A.D. He was the most famous of ancient Satirists, greatly influencing both ancient and modern satire. His special forte was philosophical and anti-philosophical criticism of society and philosophers.
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